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

• Overview

  You will find Saunder Lake in Houghton County, Michigan. The surroundings are pine and birch. The water measures roughly 8 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Michigan listings. Some 20 miles away sits Baraga, the nearest settlement. L'Anse lies 20 miles off, Iron River another 32 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Saunder Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Houghton County: rainbow smelt, bloater and cisco. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Anyone new to Saunder Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 65°F on average, January about 11°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Open water usually runs from late April until about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Saunder Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. A ramp at Estes Lake Boat Launch is mapped half a mile away. Walleye come to jigs worked slow near bottom, and to trolled crankbaits along the drops at dusk. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Estes Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Saunder Lake is worth confirming on the day.