Fishing at Sunson Lake, Marquette County, Michigan

• Overview

  Sunson Lake stands in Marquette County, Michigan. The setting is pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 16 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is high ground by Michigan standards. Nearest place of any size is West Ishpeming, 13 miles away. Green Bay sits 126 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Sunson Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name white sucker, yellow perch and rainbow smelt. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Sunson Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 64°F and January reads 11°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late April. The season between ice runs from about late April to late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. That is the shape of the year on Sunson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Long Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Confirm access to Sunson Lake locally before you travel.