Van Winkle Lake in Schoolcraft County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Van Winkle Lake sits in Schoolcraft County, out in Michigan. The ground around here is lake country bush. Around 73 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Head to Manistique, 17 miles away, for anything you forgot. Munising lies 25 miles off, Gladstone another 26 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Van Winkle Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Species logged across Schoolcraft County include rainbow smelt, alewife, bloater and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Van Winkle Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 15°F in January up to 65°F in July. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly early December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Van Winkle Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A ramp at Camp 7 Lake Boat Launch is mapped half a mile away. There are picnic tables recorded roughly half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Camp Seven Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Van Winkle Lake.