.sf-mi{–ink:#1C1A12;–deep:#6B470C;–teal:#0F5E66;–mist:#F3EEDF;–foam:#FBF8EF;–lure:#9FDAD2;–lure-ink:#0F5E66;–line:#E4DCC6;–muted:#55503F}.sf-mi .sf-hero{background-color:#6B470C;background-image:radial-gradient(820px 480px at 4% 100%,rgba(159,218,210,.30),rgba(159,218,210,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 460px at 96% 0%,rgba(240,190,80,.30),rgba(240,190,80,0) 60%),linear-gradient(160deg,#82590F,#6B470C 46%,#2E2410);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 54px),0 100%);padding-bottom:84px}.sf-mi .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(28,26,18,.84) 0%,rgba(28,26,18,.52) 52%,rgba(28,26,18,.16) 100%)}.sf-mi .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:4px;background:#1C1A12;color:#DFF5F1;border-left:5px solid #9FDAD2;padding:5px 14px 4px;letter-spacing:.06em}.sf-mi .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#F7F0DE}.sf-mi .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(28,26,18,.90) 0%,rgba(28,26,18,.66) 46%,rgba(107,71,12,.32) 80%,rgba(107,71,12,.20) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(20,18,12,.72),rgba(20,18,12,0) 50%)}.sf-mi .sf-bar{background-color:#1C1A12;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 96% 0,rgba(240,190,80,.22),rgba(240,190,80,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#1C1A12 40%,#5A3D0E)}.sf-mi .sf-bar p{color:#EEE6D0}.sf-mi .sf-band–white,.sf-mi .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 94% 6%,rgba(107,71,12,.16),rgba(107,71,12,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 96%,rgba(159,218,210,.44),rgba(159,218,210,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(240,190,80,.08),rgba(240,190,80,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF7EC,#F2EBD8)}.sf-mi .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 6% 6%,rgba(107,71,12,.16),rgba(107,71,12,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 96%,rgba(159,218,210,.44),rgba(159,218,210,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF7EC,#F2EBD8)}.sf-mi .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F3EEDF;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 10% 8%,rgba(159,218,210,.42),rgba(159,218,210,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(107,71,12,.15),rgba(107,71,12,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#F8F4E8,#F3EEDF,#E9E0C8)}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink{color:#F6EFDC}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep{background-color:#5E3E0B;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(240,190,80,.12),rgba(240,190,80,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(159,218,210,.10),rgba(159,218,210,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#684610,#5E3E0B,#45300A)}.sf-mi .sf-band–ink{background-color:#1C1A12;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(107,71,12,.58),rgba(107,71,12,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(159,218,210,.12),rgba(159,218,210,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#2A2618,#1C1A12,#12100B)}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#DCD0B0}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-mi .sf-cta p{color:#EFE6CC}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#ECE2C4}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#EFE6CC}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#0D5860}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4F4A3A}.sf-mi .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#0F5E66,#3E9C98)}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#6CC8BD,#9FDAD2)}.sf-mi .sf-pill{background:#EDE4CB;color:#4C330B}.sf-mi .sf-btn:hover{background:#C4EBE5}.sf-mi .sf-card-img,.sf-mi .sf-tile{background-color:#6B470C}.sf-mi .sf-q p{color:#3A3626}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#B4E6DF}.sf-mi .sf-kicker{color:#0F5E66}.sf-mi .sf-pf-card h3{color:#0C1F2C!important}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(18,16,11,.38)}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#B4E6DF}.sf-mi .sf-tablewrap{color:#1C1A12;border-color:#E4DCC6}.sf-mi .sf-table td{color:#1C1A12}.sf-mi .sf-table th{background:#4C330B;color:#fff}.sf-mi .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#FAF6EA}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#0D5860}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#F1E9D2}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFF8E8}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-pill a{color:#0D5860}.sf-mi .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-mi .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#C4EBE5}.sf-mi .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-mi .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-mi .sf-note{color:#1C1A12}body.sfs .sf-mi .sf-note a{color:#0D5860}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-mi .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 26px),0 100%);padding-bottom:58px}}
For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 $159.99
Indian Lake 17 mi
Photo: Sam Costanzo, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Manistique Lake 20 mi
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0 
Tahquamenon River 39 mi
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0 
Lake Michigan 57 mi
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
Michigan inland lakes
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 $129.99
McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County Fishing
A 1,442-acre Michigan lake in Schoolcraft County.
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Indian Lake: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
Schoolcraft County
McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County for visiting anglers
EGLE mapping gives McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County 1,442 acres of surface water inside Schoolcraft County. Base a trip in Manistique, about 13 miles from the lake. MDNR biologists of the Northern Lake Michigan unit cover it (Upper Peninsula). EPA ecoregion: Northern Lakes and Forests. Watershed: Northwestern Lake Michigan.
Boaters reach it through 1 public launch. In 2023, July to September imagery gave roughly 6.7 feet of clarity.
1,442acres
1public launches
6.7 ftsatellite clarity
Fish
Fish recorded in McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
MDNR Fish Atlas records from McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
| Species | Atlas records | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkinseed | 1 | 1935 |
| Bluntnose minnow | 2 | 1928 to 1929 |
| Brown bullhead | 2 | 1928 to 1929 |
| Johnny darter | 2 | 1928 to 1929 |
| Rock bass | 2 | 1928 to 1929 |
| Sand shiner | 2 | 1928 to 1929 |
| Brook stickleback | 1 | 1929 |
| Common shiner | 1 | 1929 |
| Golden shiner | 1 | 1929 |
| Largemouth bass | 1 | 1929 |
| Mimic shiner | 1 | 1929 |
| White sucker | 1 | 1929 |
| Yellow perch | 1 | 1929 |
MDNR Fish Atlas and Family Friendly Fishing lists, MDNR stocking table, checked October 2026. Older collections are history, not a current survey.
Launches
Getting a boat onto McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
- McDonald Lake Boat Access near Manistique1 lane, 5 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport; Indian Lake State Park
Other public launches near McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
- Doyle Township ParkGulliver Lake, 3 miles west
- Merwin Creek State Forest Campground Boat AccessManistique River, 8 miles northwest
- Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground Boat AccessMilakokia Lake, 11 miles northeast
MDNR Parks and Recreation boat access sites and MDNR fishing sites, checked October 2026.
Clarity
Satellite clarity readings for McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
Clarity at McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County is estimated from summer Landsat scenes by EGLE.
EGLE put 2023 chlorophyll a at 8.41 micrograms per liter.
EGLE Michigan Inland Lakes Water Clarity layer (Landsat, July to September), checked October 2026. Depth is not published here: the layer depth fields are unreliable.
Regulations
Size and bag limits on McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Upper Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | May 15 – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Upper Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | May 15 – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | Only 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 perch | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout in unclassified lakes | 5, no more than 3 of which may be 15 inches or greater; minimum 8 inches | Open all year |
For McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County, statewide inland limits for the Upper Peninsula apply unless an exception is listed.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), statewide tables and county exceptions, checked October 2026.
For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Compare
Lakes around McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Clarity ft | Fish listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County | 1,442 | 1 | 6.7 | 0 | |
| Clear Lake near Manistique, Schoolcraft County | 2 miles southwest | 81 | 0 | 10.2 | 0 |
| Gulliver Lake | 3 miles west | 881 | 1 | 7.9 | 7 |
| Milakokia Lake | 10 miles northeast | 2,032 | 1 | 8.7 | 0 |
| Lost Lake near Newberry, Schoolcraft County | 15 miles north | 19 | 0 | 1.5 | 0 |
| Kennedy Lake, Schoolcraft County | 16 miles north | 141 | 1 | 5.9 | 0 |
EGLE inland lake layer, MDNR access sites and Fish Atlas.
Nearby
In the McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County area
More Michigan lakes by McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
- Clear Lake near Manistique, Schoolcraft County2 miles southwest
- Gulliver Lake3 miles west
- Milakokia Lake10 miles northeast
- Lost Lake near Newberry, Schoolcraft County15 miles north
- Kennedy Lake, Schoolcraft County16 miles north
Stores that outfit McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County anglers
- Top O' Lake Sport Shopbait and tackle shop, Manistique, 13 miles
- E & J Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Manistique, 14 miles
- Mick's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Curtis, 18 miles
Where to sleep for a trip to McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
- Manistique13 miles
- Naubinway26 miles
- St. James27 miles
McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County county guides
- Schoolcraft Countyseat: Manistique
Piscifun
Reels and a weigh-scale grip for McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs
The shore near McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County through a lens
Photo: Sam Costanzo, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
_June_2021.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
.jpg){kind=link}
Answers
Asked and answered: fishing McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
Where in Michigan does McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County lie?
Schoolcraft County, Northern Lake Michigan Management Unit, about 13 miles from Manistique is where it sits.
What is the surface area of McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County in acres?
EGLE measures 1,442 acres.
Where is the ramp at McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County?
1 public launch, including McDonald Lake Boat Access near Manistique.
Does McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County hold bluegill and other panfish?
MDNR publishes no fish list for it.
What size limits cover McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County?
Walleye (Upper Peninsula): 5; minimum 15 inches; season May 15 – March 15.
Does fishing McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County call for a Michigan license?
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.
How many feet of visibility does McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County have?
In 2023, about 6.7 feet.
Which Michigan bait counter is the shortest drive from McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County?
Closest on our list: Top O' Lake Sport Shop at 13 miles.
Spend a morning casting McDonald Lake, Schoolcraft County
Buy the all-species license before you leave home.