Preacher Lake in Chippewa County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Preacher Lake falls in Chippewa County, part of Michigan. Land around it is mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 14 acres — small enough to read in one session. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Michigan listings. Newberry sits 27 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, Greater Sudbury is 194 miles off. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Preacher Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name rainbow smelt, bloater, lake whitefish and alewife. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Take Preacher Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 64°F on average, January about 16°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late April and starts locking again about early December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Preacher Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Laurie Lakes, 0.2 miles away. Confirm before you fish Preacher Lake.