Thomas Lake in Houghton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Thomas Lake lies in Houghton County, Michigan. Beyond the shoreline you have rolling bush. It covers about 7 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Michigan listings. For supplies, L'Anse is 25 miles out. After that come Baraga at 25 miles and Iron River at 26 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Thomas Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Houghton County: rainbow smelt, bloater, cisco, yellow perch and lake whitefish. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Thomas Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 11°F in January up to 65°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about late November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Thomas Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Lake Thirteen at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Thomas Lake before loading the car.