Fishing at Red Lake, Alger County, Michigan

• Overview

  The Alger County end of Michigan holds Red Lake. The land about it is mixed forest. It measures about 38 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Munising at 15 miles is the nearest place to stop. Beyond it, Manistique at 23 miles and Gladstone at 32 miles. Within a short drive: Blue Joe Lake after 0.4 miles, Cookson Lake (0.5 miles), Dinner Lake after 1.2 miles, Rumble Lake (1.3 miles) and Wedge Lake after 1.3 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Red Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Red Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 15°F to 65°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. That is the shape of the year on Red Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Blue Joe Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Red Lake before loading the car.