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Michigan · Fishing
Marenisco Township sits in the western Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border, and its fishing options lean heavily toward quiet inland lakes rather than big-water crowds.
10 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 10 spots
Marenisco Township sits in the western Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border, and its fishing options lean heavily toward quiet inland lakes rather than big-water crowds. The area holds a solid spread of lake fishing across waters like Little Langford Lake, Blair Lake, Barb Lake, Kunschke Lake, Moccasin Lake, Heart Lake, Hawk Lake, and Dawn Lake — most of them small enough that a canoe or small aluminum boat is all you need to cover the productive water. Bobcat Lake Campground adds a surf-fishing option if you want to wade or cast from shore without launching a boat. The Bessemer Ranger District also offers river fishing for anglers who prefer moving water, and it's worth contacting the district office directly before your trip since access points and conditions on ranger-district rivers can change seasonally. This is not a destination built around trophy fishing infrastructure — there are no full-service marinas and cell service is spotty in places — but if you want to spend a few days working small UP lakes with light tackle and minimal company, Marenisco Township delivers that reliably. Plan to be self-sufficient: bring your own gear, know your Michigan fishing license requirements, and check the DNR site for any lake-specific regulations before you launch.
The area is dominated by small inland lake fishing, with options at Little Langford Lake, Blair Lake, Barb Lake, Kunschke Lake, Moccasin Lake, Heart Lake, Hawk Lake, and Dawn Lake. Bobcat Lake Campground offers shore or surf fishing, and the Bessemer Ranger District provides river fishing access for those who want moving water.
Both work here. Bobcat Lake Campground is specifically set up for shore-based fishing. Most of the other lakes are small enough that a kayak, canoe, or small motorized boat will cover them well, but bank access exists on several of them too. Check individual lake access points through the Michigan DNR before assuming you can launch anywhere.
Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Banner Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Bobcat Lake Campground
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Bessemer Ranger District
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Barb Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Spruce Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Finn Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Pomeroy Lake
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Meander Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Pigeon Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Dawn Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Kunschke Lake
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Late May through June is strong as water temperatures rise after ice-out and fish move shallow. Early fall, roughly September into October, is another productive window when cooler temps push fish back into accessible depths. Midsummer midday fishing on these small UP lakes tends to slow down — early morning and evening hours are more reliable when the sun is high.
Light to medium spinning tackle covers most situations on these smaller lakes. A selection of jigs, small crankbaits, and live-bait rigs handles the range of species you're likely to encounter. There are no tackle shops in Marenisco Township itself, so stock up in Ironwood or Bessemer before heading out.
Yes, a valid Michigan fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older. Some individual lakes in the Upper Peninsula carry special regulations on size limits, bag limits, or gear restrictions, so check the Michigan DNR Fishing Guide for the specific water bodies you plan to fish. For river access through the Bessemer Ranger District, it's worth calling the district office to confirm current access and any seasonal closures.
