Island Lake near Mio: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Island Lake is an Alcona County water, Michigan side. Elevation runs to 958 feet. It measures about 82 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. There is roughly 1.5 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Nearest place of any size is Mio, 12 miles away. Hubbard Lake is 18 miles and Lewiston 22 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Island Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Alcona County include white sucker, rock bass, yellow perch and northern pike. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Island Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 67°F, with January the cold end at about 17°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to early December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. That is the shape of the year on Island Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Lake David at 0.8 miles is the sensible second choice. The position on Island Lake is worth confirming on the day.