South Lake near Escanaba: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Delta County, Michigan, is where South Lake sits. The bank gives way to rolling bush. Around 70 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Few waters listed in Delta County are bigger. The closest town, Escanaba, is 11 miles away. The big place round here is Green Bay, 86 miles distant. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on South Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name white sucker, alewife, rock bass, yellow perch and northern pike. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Fish South Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 17°F in January and 67°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at early December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan any trip to South Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. South Lake Hunt Club runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is North Lake, 1.7 miles out. Check the position on South Lake before loading the car.