Wagner Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Wagner Lake falls in Baraga County, part of Michigan. The surface lies 1,798 feet up. With some 75 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. The edge runs 1.7 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Compared with other Michigan water on our list, it sits high. You are 13 miles from L'Anse. Baraga is 15 miles and West Ishpeming 28 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Wagner Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Baraga County include yellow perch, pink salmon and white sucker. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Wagner Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 10°F to 63°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Once it clears, about late April, the fishing comes on quickly. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late April until roughly late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Expect Wagner Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. This sits inside Slate River Forest, so read the reserve notices first. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Loon Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Wagner Lake.