Long Lake in Dickinson County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Dickinson County, Michigan, you have Long Lake. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. Small at around 23 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Shoreline comes to about 0.9 miles, small enough to learn in a day. It sits higher than most water we list in Michigan. Crystal Falls at 14 miles is the nearest place to stop. Iron Mountain is 26 miles and West Ishpeming 27 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Public occurrence data for Dickinson County names bluegill, walleye, yellow perch, brown trout and largemouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Work Long Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 65°F and January near 11°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Anyone fishing Long Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is a launch about half a mile from the bank. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Edey Lake is 0.7 miles distant. For Long Lake in particular, ask before you travel.