Lily Lake Fishing near West Ishpeming, Michigan

• Overview

  Lily Lake is listed under Marquette County, Michigan. It sits at 1,555 feet above sea level. Small at around 7 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Marquette County are larger. West Ishpeming sits 20 miles from the bank. Crystal Falls follows at 20 miles, then Ishpeming at 22 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lily Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Records held for Marquette County cover white sucker, yellow perch, rainbow smelt and smallmouth bass. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Lily Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 11°F to 64°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Break-up sits around late April on average, with the water closing again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It holds true on Lily Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Cranberry Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Lily Lake carry more weight than any list.