Fishing at Shank Lake, Baraga County, Michigan

• Overview

  Shank Lake is a Baraga County water, in Michigan. It sits at 1,654 feet above sea level. It measures some 253 acres, and wind has room to build across it. With 4.5 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. On our Baraga County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest town is Crystal Falls, 21 miles away. It is 131 miles to Green Bay, the nearest city. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Shank Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Baraga County include yellow perch, pink salmon, white sucker, walleye and rainbow smelt. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Shank Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 64°F, with January the cold end at about 10°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late April. From about late April to around late November, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Time your trip to Shank Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Long Lake is 1.7 miles off. Check the position at Shank Lake before loading the car.