Fishing at Kitten Lake, Alger County, Michigan

• Overview

  Out in Alger County, Michigan, sits Kitten Lake. Height above sea level is 860 feet. About 14 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Munising is the closest place, 7.6 miles off. Beyond it, K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base at 32 miles and Manistique at 32 miles. Within easy reach: Mouse Lake 0.4 miles away, Hovey Lake lies 0.7 miles on, Moth Lake 1.2 miles away, Otter Lake lies 1.3 miles on and Misty Lake 1.5 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Kitten Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Alger County include yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Kitten Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 65°F and January about 15°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. The season between ice runs from about mid April to early December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. The season on Kitten Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Mouse Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing on Kitten Lake should be assumed from this page alone.