Fishing Lorraine Lake in Schoolcraft County, Michigan

• Overview

  Lorraine Lake is a Schoolcraft County water, Michigan side. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. About 12 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Nearest place of any size is Manistique, 17 miles away. Munising is 20 miles away, with Gladstone at 33 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lorraine Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Schoolcraft County records list rainbow smelt, alewife and bloater among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Lorraine Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 15°F to 65°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and early December closes it again. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lorraine Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is a ramp at Minerva Lake Boat Launch, half a mile out. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Minerva Lake, 0.3 miles out. Where Lorraine Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.