Jones Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Jones Lake stands in Chippewa County, Michigan. Pine and birch runs right down to the water. It runs to roughly 37 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The edge runs 1.1 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is low-lying compared with other Michigan water we list. Thessalon sits 22 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Cheboygan (39 miles) and Rogers City (39 miles). This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Jones Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Chippewa County include rainbow smelt, bloater, lake whitefish and alewife. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Jones Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 66°F in July and bottom out at 17°F in January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Anyone fishing Jones Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The nearest marina is Fort Drummond Marine & Resort, some 0.9 miles out. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Jackson Lake, 0.4 miles out. Signs at Jones Lake carry more weight than any list.