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Michigan counties

Fishing in Ontonagon County, Michigan

Seat: Ontonagon. Upper Peninsula, Western Lake Superior unit.

  • 6lake pages
  • 7launches
  • 155trout streams
Piscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reelPick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 $79.99

Photo of Lake Superior shore: Clockman26, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ontonagon County, Michigan

Ontonagon County for visiting anglers

Government business for Ontonagon County runs out of Ontonagon, a Upper Peninsula county seat. At the 2020 Census 5,816 people lived across 1,311 square miles of land; water, Great Lakes included, accounts for 2,429.5 square miles more. MDNR fisheries work here is handled by the Western Lake Superior management unit. The county also fronts Lake Superior, with 1 harbor on the shoreline.

Its 6 lake pages add up to 13,505 surface acres, Lake Gogebic covering the most. Across 7 public launches the MDNR counts 13 lanes and 126 spaces for rigs. The trout regulation layer maps 155 county streams, including 3 Blue Ribbon streams. Shore access includes 2 MDNR fishing sites.

6lake pages
7public launches
155trout streams
0bait shops and marinas
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Map

The fishing map of Ontonagon County

MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, EGLE lake points and DNR harbors, checked October 2026.

Lakes

Lake pages for Ontonagon County

LakeAcresLaunchesSatellite clarityTrout TypeFish on record
Lake Gogebic13,12538.3 ft (2023)lake herring
Clouds, Lake of the15207.1 ft (2023)smallmouth bass, yellow perch
Mirror Lake, Ontonagon County9107 ft (2023)Type C
County Line Lake, Gogebic County67113.2 ft (2023)
Steusser Lake3609.6 ft (2023)
Courtney Lake3309.4 ft (2023)Type B

EGLE Inland Lakes Water Clarity layer (acres, Landsat Secchi depth), MDNR trout lake regulation Types, MDNR Fish Atlas (species recorded 1970 or later) and MDNR boat access sites.

More lakes

Small lakes of Ontonagon County without a page

Another 23 named lakes in Ontonagon County appear on state maps without enough published detail for a page of their own.

LakeAcresMDNR lake idNearest place
Bond Falls Flowage2,127L40034Watersmeet
Victoria Reservoir282L32339Rockland
Sixmile Lake, Ontonagon County82L32452Mass City
Kostelnick Cr. Impound74L39707Ewen
Bass Lake, Ontonagon County65L36781Lake Gogebic
Clark Lake, Ontonagon County54L38177Lake Gogebic
Deadman Lake, Ontonagon County50L37321Watersmeet
Sudden Lake39L35276Mass City
Weidman Lake29L33030Bergland
Sleepy Pond23L34522Bergland
Erickson Lake, Ontonagon County20L39597Bruce Crossing
Camp Lake, Ontonagon County17L41316Watersmeet
Blair Lake, Ontonagon County16L42996Watersmeet
Mattie Lake15L41621Bruce Crossing
Temple Lake, Ontonagon County15L37566Watersmeet
Butterfield Lake, Ontonagon County15L32809Mass City
Sand Lake, Ontonagon County15L41114Watersmeet
Lily Pond, Ontonagon County14L38789White Pine
Millet Pond12L39920Bruce Crossing
Hemlock Lake, Ontonagon County12L41350Watersmeet
Johnson Lake, Ontonagon County11L37437Bruce Crossing
Weary Lake11L38622Lake Gogebic
Pickle Pond11L42202Bruce Crossing

EGLE Inland Lakes Water Clarity layer and Michigan Geographic Framework hydrography names, checked October 2026.

Streams

Streams that run through Ontonagon County

Where trout swim in Ontonagon County

By MDNR regulation Type, the county trout streams split as Type 1 on 152 streams, Type 2 on 1 stream, Type 3 on 15 streams and Type 4 on 2 streams.

Type 1 stream close after September 30 and keep the smallest size limits, while Types 3 and 4 stay open all year with tighter limits on large fish.

  • Little Carp River13.9 trout mi, Type 1, Type 3, near Wakefield
  • Carp River11.7 trout mi, Type 1, Type 3, near Wakefield
  • Little Elm River10.1 trout mi, Type 1, Type 4, near South Range
  • Carp River Inlet9.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • West Sleeping River8.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • White Deer Creek7.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Anderson Creek7.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • McGinty Creek7.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Iron River
  • Holland Creek7.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • North Branch Misery River7.2 trout mi, Type 1, near South Range
  • Black Creek7.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Hubbell Creek7.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Little Misery River6.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Dishinaw Creek6.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Elm Creek6.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Bond Creek6.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Scott and Howe Creek6.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Porterfield Creek6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Tenmile Creek5.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Sleepy Creek5.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Union River5.6 trout mi, Type 1, Type 4, near Ontonagon
  • Aldridge Creek5.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Sleepy Creek5.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Eden Creek5.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Merriweather Creek5.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Kits Creek5.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Canyon Creek5.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Pine Creek5.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Redlight Creek5.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • McGuire Creek4.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Amundsan Creek4.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Cunningham Creek4.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Payseor Creek4.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Hide Creek4.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Choate Creek4.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Jug Creek4.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Black Creek4.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • McFarland Creek4.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Rapid River4.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Paulding Creek4.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Iron River
  • Ledge Creek4.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Senecal Creek4.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Little Union River4.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • House Creek4.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • St. Cullins Creek4.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Romague Creek4.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Inkala Creek4 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Scott Creek4 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Nugget Creek4 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Pony Trail Creek4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Emanuel Creek3.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Interior Creek3.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Iron River
  • Snuffbox Creek3.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Ellis Creek3.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Titmouse Creek3.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Cute Creek3.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Greentown Creek3.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Lathrop Creek3.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Bush Creek3.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • McCarthy Creek3.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Deadman Creek3.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Iron River
  • Sugar Camp Creek3.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Capone Creek3.4 trout mi, Type 1, near South Range
  • Mannis Creek3.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Iron River
  • Payne Creek3.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Hooded Creek3.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Sandhill Creek3.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Tom Creek3.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Matheson Creek3.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Iron River
  • Chipping Creek3.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Roselawn Creek3.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Texas Creek3 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Toledo Creek3 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Crowned Creek2.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Landlookers Creek2.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Pietila Creek2.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Rolston Creek2.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Aho Creek2.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Good Creek2.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Salt Pork Creek2.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Bessemer Creek2.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Longtime Creek2.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Buckless Creek2.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Konteka Creek2.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Slough Creek2.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Loggerhead Creek2.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Doe Creek2.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Wabeno Creek2.4 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Pori Creek2.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Washington Creek2.3 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Blair Creek2.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Dogwood Creek2.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Nuthatch Creek2.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Ratford Creek2.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Song Creek2.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Blowdown Creek2.2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Diggings Creek2.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Kinglet Creek2.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Lost Creek2.1 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Beaver Creek2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Caledonia Creek2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Vine Creek2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Redstart Creek2 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Extension Creek2 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Whisky Hollow Creek1.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Darling Creek1.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Towhee Creek1.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Larochelle Creek1.9 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Redpoll Creek1.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Red Creek1.8 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Haskin Creek1.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Sooty Creek1.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Vesper Creek1.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Wakefield
  • Mourning Creek1.7 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Grade Creek1.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Hash Creek1.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Silver Creek1.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Cleveland Creek1.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Champagne Creek1.6 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon
  • Meto Creek1.5 trout mi, Type 1, near Ontonagon

USGS gauges inside Ontonagon County

USGS gaugeLatest readingTime (ET)
Ontonagon River Near Rockland, Mi614 cfs, 5.56 ft gage heightNov 11 12:15 am
Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding, Mi107 cfs, 4.26 ft gage heightNov 10 11:45 pm
West Branch Ontonagon River Near Bergland, Mi42 cfs, 1.39 ft gage heightNov 11 12:15 am
Mineral River Ds Of Native Ck Nr Silver City, Mi0 cfs, 8.10 ft gage heightOct 1 12:45 am Not updated since Oct 1, 2026.

US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 12:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.

MDNR Trout and Salmon Inland Stream Regulation Types layer and Blue Ribbon and Natural River layers (stream miles are whole-stream totals), checked October 2026.

Launches

Boat access sites across Ontonagon County

5 of the 7 county launches ask for a Recreation Passport on the vehicle.

  • Bergland Dock Boat AccessLake Gogebic, 2 lanes, 22 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport
  • Big Iron River Mouth Boat AccessBig Iron River, 1 lane, 19 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet
  • County Line Lake Boat AccessCounty Line Lake, 1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport
  • Ewen Boat AccessOntonagon River – South Branch, boat ramp, 8 trailer spaces, toilet, Recreation Passport
  • Misery River Mouth Boat AccessMisery River, 1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, toilet
  • Ontonagon Municipal Boat AccessOntonagon River, 6 lanes, 65 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport
  • Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Union BayLake Superior, 2 lanes, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport

MDNR fishing sites in Ontonagon County (2)

  • Lake of the Clouds fishing site, Carp Lake Townshipbank fishing area, Lake of the Clouds
  • Steusser Lake fishing site, McMillan Townshipbank fishing area, Steusser Lake

MDNR Parks and Recreation boat access sites and MDNR fishing sites (Family Friendly Fishing).

Great Lakes

Big-water fishing from Ontonagon County

  • Ontonagon Village Marinaharbor on Lake Superior
  • Misery Baybay of Lake Superior
  • Sleeping Baybay of Lake Superior
  • Tenmile Baybay of Lake Superior
  • Union Baybay of Lake Superior
  • Ash Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Bear Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Big Iron Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Black Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Carp Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Cranberry Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Dreiss Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Duck Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • East Sleeping Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Firesteel Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Flintsteel Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Floodwood Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Halfway Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Little Cranberry Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Little Iron Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Little Misery Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • McCarthy Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Miles Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Mineral Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Misery Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Mud Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Native Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Ontonagon Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Paddys Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Patent Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Pine Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Potato Rivermouth on Lake Superior
  • Tenmile Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Town Line Creekmouth on Lake Superior
  • Union Rivermouth on Lake Superior

DNR harbors layer, USGS GNIS bays and stream mouths, MDNR Family Friendly Fishing piers, checked October 2026.

Stocking and records

Plants and record fish in Ontonagon County

32 plants were recorded from 2024 through 2026, led by rainbow trout with 97,934 fish.

Latest MDNR plants in Ontonagon County

WaterSpeciesNumberAvg length inDate
Ontonagon RiverLake sturgeon22618.42026-09-09
Ontonagon RiverLake sturgeon22518.42026-09-09
Michigan (Rockland) PondLargemouth bass2830.482026-06-04
Michigan (Rockland) PondPumpkinseed2715.242026-06-04
Michigan (Rockland) PondPumpkinseed4215.242026-06-01
Michigan (Rockland) PondLargemouth bass1530.52026-06-01
Trout Creek PondBrook trout23921.42026-05-12
Mirror LakeSplake1,99817.72026-03-02
Courtney LakeBrook trout1002025-12-19
Courtney LakeBrook trout1002025-12-17
Ontonagon RiverLake sturgeon87825.42025-11-04
Firesteel RiverRainbow trout97,9347.062025-10-22
Ontonagon RiverWalleye13,8025.722025-07-03
Ontonagon RiverLake sturgeon4,5865.52025-07-02

Ontonagon County in the Michigan record book

SpeciesWeight lbWaterYear
Lake Whitefish14.28Lake Superior1993

MDNR Fish Stocking Report (FSIS), January 2024 to October 2026, and the DNR State Record Fish table.

Bait nearby

Bait shops past the Ontonagon County line

  • Markham's Marinamarina, Houghton, 37 miles
  • Freeman's Firearmsbait and tackle shop, Hancock, 39 miles
  • Ojibwa Campground & Marinamarina, Baraga, 40 miles
  • Indian Country Sports Incbait and tackle shop, Lanse, 41 miles
  • Dollar Bay Motorsportsmarina, Osceola Twp, 42 miles
Regulations

Exceptions printed for Ontonagon County

Being a Upper Peninsula county, walleye and northern pike on inland water open on May 15 here.

SpeciesLimitSeason
Largemouth and smallmouth bass5 in any combination; minimum 14 inchesPossession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year
Walleye (Upper Peninsula)5; minimum 15 inchesMay 15 – March 15
Northern pike (Upper Peninsula)2; minimum 24 inchesMay 15 – March 15
MuskellungeOnly 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters)Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year
Yellow perch25Open all year
Sunfish and crappie25 in any combination of the listed speciesOpen all year
Channel catfish10; minimum 12 inchesOpen all year
Flathead catfish5; minimum 15 inchesOpen all year
White bass10Open all year
Cisco and whitefish5 in any combinationOpen all year
Burbot5Open all year
Trout in unclassified lakes5, no more than 3 of which may be 15 inches or greater; minimum 8 inchesOpen all year

Lakes and streams of Ontonagon County with exceptions (5)

WaterRule as printed
L. Gogebic theL. Gogebic the daily possession limit for Yellow Perch is 25 with no more than 5 Yellow Perch 12" or greater.
Ontonagon R. from its confluence with the Victoria Hydro station tailrace (T50N, R39W, SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of S29) upstream to Victoria Dam, including the trailrace canalOntonagon R. from its confluence with the Victoria Hydro station tailrace (T50N, R39W, SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of S29) upstream to Victoria Dam, including the trailrace canal closed to fishing April 1 – Jun. 10.
L. of the Clouds (Carp L.) fishingL. of the Clouds (Carp L.) fishing restricted to artificial lures only.
It shall be unlawful to use or possess live bait, dead bait or organic or processed food at any time on the shore or water.
No spearing;No spearing; no possession of Smallmouth Bass.

2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (Michigan DNR, April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027): statewide tables and the county listing, pp. 28-31.

Tournaments

Bass and walleye events on Ontonagon County water

The MDNR Fishing Tournament Information System shows 7 public registrations for county waters, 0 of them not yet fished.

DateEventWaterFish
2026-09-1248th Annual Walleye TournamentLake GogebicWalleye
2026-09-1248th Annual Walleye TournamentLake GogebicWalleye
2026-09-1248th Annual Walleye TournamentLake GogebicWalleye
2026-09-1148th Annual Walleye TournamentLake GogebicWalleye
2026-09-1148th Annual Walleye TournamentLake GogebicWalleye
2026-09-1148th Annual Walleye TournamentLake GogebicWalleye
2026-05-16Lake Gogebic Walleye OpenerLake GogebicWalleye

MDNR Fishing Tournament Information System, public registrations, checked October 2026.

Local help

Where to get bait in Ontonagon County

Guided trips out of Ontonagon County

Nearby

In the Ontonagon County area

Ontonagon County towns

  • Ontonagonpop. 1,285
  • White Pinepop. 339
  • Ewenpop. 229
  • Bruce Crossingpop. 184
  • Rocklandpop. 173
  • Mass Citypop. 148
  • Greenlandpop. 146
  • Berglandpop. 141
  • Lake Gogebicpop. 122

Next-door counties to Ontonagon County

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Photographs

Lakes and streams near Ontonagon County, pictured

Lake Superior, Michigan
Lake Superior 86 mi
Photo: NPS, Public domain
Portage Lake near Dollar Bay, Houghton County, 9,324 acres, Michigan
Portage Lake near Dollar Bay, Houghton County, 9,324 acres 43 mi
Photo: James Conkis, CC BY-SA 4.0
Menominee River, Michigan
Menominee River 139 mi
Photo: Robert Elliot/USFWS, Public domain
Lake Gogebic, Michigan
Lake Gogebic 29 mi
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Answers

What to know about fishing Ontonagon County

Where does a trailer boat go in across Ontonagon County?

Boaters have 7 public launches and 13 lanes to pick from.

What is the largest lake with a page in Ontonagon County?

Lake Gogebic, at 13,125 acres on the EGLE layer.

Which trout Types apply to streams in Ontonagon County?

Yes: 155 trout streams, including 3 Blue Ribbon streams.

Does Ontonagon County follow Upper or Lower Peninsula seasons?

Inland walleye and pike open May 15 under the Upper Peninsula schedule.

Does Ontonagon County have a bait and tackle store?

None inside the county on our list.

Which guides work Ontonagon County waters?

The county has 1 charter or guide.

Who manages the fish in Ontonagon County?

The Western Lake Superior management unit handles it.

Which Michigan city serves as seat for Ontonagon County?

It is Ontonagon.

What do visitors to Ontonagon County pay to fish?

Anglers 17 and older carry a Michigan all-species fishing license: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents, $11 for seniors or $10 for one day. Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them. One Michigan all-species license covers the Great Lakes and connecting waters too: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents or $10 for a single day.

Which registered tournament comes next in Ontonagon County?

7 public registrations on file, none still ahead this season.

Are there exceptions to statewide rules in Ontonagon County?

The 2026 digest prints 5 exceptions for the county, starting with L. Gogebic the; all are in the table above.

Spend a day on Ontonagon County water

Open a launch page for lanes, parking and fees.