Fishing at Mud Lake, Marquette County, Michigan

• Overview

  Mud Lake is one of the Marquette County waters in Michigan. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. At roughly 5 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Marquette County. You are 17 miles from West Ishpeming. Further out sit Ishpeming (19 miles) and Negaunee (21 miles). This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Marquette County include white sucker, yellow perch and rainbow smelt. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Take Mud Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 64°F, while January sits near 11°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Time your trip to Mud Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Northwestern Lake sits 1 mile off and takes the overflow. Signs at Mud Lake carry more weight than any list.