Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Upper Sturgeon Lake

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Upper Sturgeon Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 40 to 80 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 95 ft of water that rates good for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic gets it done.

Walleye fishing at Upper Sturgeon Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 28 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Upper Sturgeon Lake

Spring smallmouth bass on Upper Sturgeon Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 28 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Upper Sturgeon Lake

In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Upper Sturgeon Lake

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 28 ft, rated good for summer rock bass. Best bite is the evening. Summer baits: a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig gets it done.

Brown Bullhead fishing at Upper Sturgeon Lake

In spring, brown bullhead run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring brown bullhead. Best bite is after dark and the evening.

How deep is Upper Sturgeon Lake?

Upper Sturgeon Lake is about 112 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 Upper Sturgeon Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), brown bullhead on Upper Sturgeon Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Upper Sturgeon Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Upper Sturgeon Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), 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.