Lake Whitefish fishing at Plunge Lake

Start shallow in spring: lake whitefish sit in 15 to 45 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 14 to 45 ft, and winter fish hold in 14 to 45 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 38 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Plunge Lake

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Plunge Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. By summer they slide out to 14 to 45 ft, and by winter most fish are in 14 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 38 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Plunge Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 20 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Plunge Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Plunge Lake

Spring northern pike on Plunge Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Plunge Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 11 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

How deep is Plunge Lake?

Plunge Lake is about 45 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Plunge Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Plunge Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Plunge Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 38 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Plunge Lake?

For lake whitefish, the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.