Sphagnum Lake in Alger County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sphagnum Lake sits within Alger County in Michigan. It lies 846 feet above sea level. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. Our Alger County list holds plenty of bigger water. The closest town, Munising, is 8.1 miles distant. Green Bay is the closest city, 140 miles away. Within a short drive: McNeil Lake 0.4 miles off, Peck Lake at 1.2 miles, Lost Lake 1.3 miles off, Als Lake at 1.4 miles and Powell Lake 1.4 miles off. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Sphagnum Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. 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. Across Alger County, recorded fish include yellow perch, rainbow smelt and northern pike. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Sphagnum Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 65°F in July and bottom out at 15°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. The season between ice runs from about mid April to early December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Sphagnum Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, McNeil Lake is 0.4 miles off. Ask locally about Sphagnum Lake if anything is unclear.