Hartney Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Alger County end of Michigan holds Hartney Lake. The ground around here is lake country bush. About 9 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Alger County. Munising at 10 miles is the nearest place to stop. Manistique is 30 miles and Gladstone 33 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Hartney Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Alger County names yellow perch, rainbow smelt, northern pike and white sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Hartney Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 15°F and July at about 65°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. On average, mid April opens the water and early December closes it again. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. On Hartney Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Doe Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. None of that is settled for Hartney Lake in what we hold.