Skinnies Lake Fishing Guide, Marquette County, Michigan

• Overview

  Skinnies Lake is set in Marquette County, Michigan. The land about it is lake country bush. It measures about 31 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The full circuit measures close to 1.0 miles on foot. It sits higher than most water we list in Michigan. 12 miles away sits West Ishpeming, the nearest town. After that come Ishpeming at 14 miles and Negaunee at 16 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Skinnies Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Marquette County: white sucker, yellow perch, rainbow smelt, smallmouth bass and northern pike. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read Skinnies Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 64°F, the coldest about 11°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Winter locks it down, and late April brings it back. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Skinnies Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Sunson Lake is 1.2 miles off. Nothing on Skinnies Lake should be assumed from this page alone.