Nelligan Lake Fishing Guide, Baraga County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Nelligan Lake in the Baraga County part of Michigan. The land about it is rolling bush. It measures about 31 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 0.8 miles on foot. It sits higher than most water we list in Michigan. L'Anse is the closest place, 20 miles off. Further out sit West Ishpeming (21 miles) and Baraga (22 miles). It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Nelligan Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Baraga County: yellow perch, pink salmon, white sucker, walleye and rainbow smelt. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Nelligan Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 10°F to 64°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The lid tends to go about late April and return around late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It holds true on Nelligan Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. The nearest alternative is Thomas Lake, 1.2 miles out. Confirm before you fish Nelligan Lake.