Fishing Lake Roland in Houghton County, Michigan

• Overview

  Houghton County, Michigan, is where Lake Roland sits. It lies 1,181 feet above sea level. At some 259 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The margin runs to about 3.5 miles in total. It ranks high for size among our Houghton County listings. You are 18 miles from Atlantic Mine. The nearest city of size is Thunder Bay, 105 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lake Roland

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Houghton County cover rainbow smelt, bloater and cisco. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Lake Roland that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 65°F for July and 13°F for January. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Winter locks it down, and late April brings it back. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Time your trip to Lake Roland by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. A picnic site half a mile off makes this workable with family in tow. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Lake Gerald sits 1.3 miles off and takes the overflow. For Lake Roland in particular, ask before you travel.