Light Lake in Iron County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Light Lake is one of the Iron County waters in Michigan. Elevation runs to 1,368 feet. The water covers some 135 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. With about 2.1 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Few waters listed in Iron County are bigger. The closest town, Crystal Falls, is 7.5 miles distant. Green Bay is the closest city, 117 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Light Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Iron County include brown trout, yellow perch and northern pike. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Light Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 65°F, with January the cold end at about 10°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan around that when you fish Light Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Lost Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Light Lake are worth checking on the day.