Palmer Lake Fishing Guide, Alger County, Michigan

• Overview

  In Michigan, Palmer Lake belongs to Alger County. Elevation runs to 899 feet. At roughly 11 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The nearest place of any size is Newberry, 26 miles away. The big place round here is Green Bay, 170 miles distant. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here. Nothing about the approach is difficult in dry weather.

• Where to Fish on Palmer Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Alger County include yellow perch, rainbow smelt, northern pike, white sucker and rock bass. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Work Palmer Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 16°F and July at about 64°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late April. The lid tends to go about late April and return around early December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Palmer Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Nawaka Lake Public Access covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, East Lake is 0.2 miles off. Confirm access to Palmer Lake locally before you travel.