Long Lake Fishing near West Ishpeming, Michigan

• Overview

  Within Marquette County, Michigan, you have Long Lake. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 12 acres — small enough to read in one session. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Michigan listings. West Ishpeming sits 15 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Thunder Bay sits 139 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Marquette County, recorded fish include white sucker, yellow perch and rainbow smelt. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Treat Long Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 64°F, the coldest about 11°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. On Long Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Glass Lake is 1.4 miles off. Check the position on Long Lake before loading the car.