Lake Medora fishing

Fishing at Lake Medora is on a reservoir, stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Splake, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Lake Whitefish. It is stocked about 0.3 times a year since 1979, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and Smallmouth Bass and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and Yellow Perch.

Last stocked

October 12, 2017

Plants on record

12

Since 1979

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

689.7

Access and facts

Water type
reservoir
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

A 695-acre lake formed in the 1860s by damming the Mosquito River to power a copper mine. A DNR-listed boating access site with 1 launch lane, 1 pier, and a vault toilet serves it. Administered by Fort Wilkins State Historic Park; a Recreation Passport is required.

Sources: access , facilities , access.fee , water_type , speciesFound

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Lake Medora is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the fourth week of May. In 2017 it was October 12, 2017, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 30 years between 1979 and 2017.

About 173 reported fish per acre, 5th most of 8 lakes in Keweenaw County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Lac La Belle (4.7 mi), Lake Fanny Hooe (5.8 mi), and Lost Lake (7.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Fanny Hooe is also stocked with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Splake.

Fish at Lake Medora

Fishing Lake Medora is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 8 of 12 plants on record, ahead of Brown Trout and one more.

Rainbow Trout 8 plants
Plants
8 of 12
Last stocked
October 12, 2017

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Brown Trout 3 plants
Plants
3 of 12
Last stocked
June 6, 1985

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Splake 1 plant
Plants
1 of 12
Last stocked
May 6, 2015

Seasons and rigs are on the Splake guide.

Fish stocked per year

  • 7,0001979
  • 6,9001980
  • 5,0001982
  • 9,3501983
  • 9,0001984
  • 9,3701985
  • 29,1802015
  • 20,7542016
  • 22,8872017

Stocking history

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
October 12, 2017 Rainbow Trout 22,887 – report
October 6, 2016 Rainbow Trout 20,754 – report
September 30, 2015 Rainbow Trout 22,692 – report
May 6, 2015 Splake 6,488 – report
June 6, 1985 Brown Trout 9,370 – report
May 29, 1984 Brown Trout 9,000 – report
May 24, 1983 Rainbow Trout 6,950 – report
May 24, 1983 Brown Trout 2,400 – report
May 21, 1982 Rainbow Trout 5,000 – report
June 9, 1980 Rainbow Trout 5,000 – report
May 22, 1980 Rainbow Trout 1,900 – report
June 18, 1979 Rainbow Trout 7,000 – report

Species found here

Confirmed present independent of the stocking records above, not from a stocking event.

  • Yellow Perch : Part of the lake's simple native fish community per MDNR's survey. (source)
  • Smallmouth Bass : Part of the lake's simple native fish community per MDNR's survey. (source)
  • Lake Whitefish : A unique strain historically present; noted for readily taking surface-casted dry flies per MDNR's survey. (source)

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes