Pan Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Pan Lake stands in Alger County, Michigan. Height above sea level is 771 feet. Small at around 10 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Alger County. Munising sits 16 miles from the bank. After that come Manistique at 24 miles and Gladstone at 30 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Pan Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Public occurrence data for Alger County names yellow perch, rainbow smelt, northern pike, white sucker and rock bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Pan Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 65°F and January at 15°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan around that when you fish Pan Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. 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. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Camp K Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Pan Lake before loading the car.