Prickett Lake in Houghton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Prickett Lake belongs to Houghton County, Michigan. The ground round it is pine and birch. The water covers around 767 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. The outline measures near 9.4 miles, so local knowledge counts. On our Houghton County list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Baraga, is 11 miles distant. L'Anse lies 11 miles off, Atlantic Mine another 27 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Prickett Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Houghton County records list rainbow smelt, bloater, cisco, yellow perch and lake whitefish among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Prickett Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 65°F and January reads 14°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Prickett Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Launch at Pricket.dam Boat Launch, half a mile from the water. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Sixmile Creek Pond, 4.8 miles out. Confirm before you fish Prickett Lake.