Fishing & Ice Fishing
Lakes & Streams
Copper Harbor on Lake Superior is a designated splake fishery. The DNR has been planting splake there since 1972. The local splake committee is dedicated to supporting and improving the harbor for splake and other large fish. At the mouth of the harbor, you’ll find steelhead running in spring and salmon in fall. Walleye, pike and lake trout can be found in the spring with sporadic visits throughout summer.
Take your boat and venture out a mere 800 yards into Lake Superior and find lake trout, coho salmon and other big lake fish all summer long. Besides great fishing, the beauty of the harbor is jaw dropping.
Finding Those Fish
Lake Manganese anglers will find perch, smallmouth bass and the occasional brook trout. This is a small, pristine, lake maintained by the DNR. You won’t find homes and buildings here, just a nice sand beach and wildlife.
Lake Fanny Hooe offers perch, crappie, walleye, smallmouth, largemouth and rock bass along with brook trout, splake and sunfish. This pretty lake is long and has a few deep spots. It was named for a girl that went missing in the 1840’s while living at Fort Wilkins, which is now a State Park located along the north shore.
Nearby Lac La Belle has a great assortment of fish species including pike, perch, crappie, walleye, smallmouth bass, rock bass, smelt and the occasional musky. Lac La Belle means Beautiful Lake and it lives up to its name. It is connected to Lake Superior which allows a great variety of species throughout the year from your boat or charter.
Marinas & Launches
Copper Harbor Marina
•Boat Launch : Gasoline
Home to a full service marina offering a multiple pier docking area, diesel gas, electricity, water, ice, bathrooms, showers, parking, telephones, and a public boat launch. The marina is administered by Fort Wilkins State Park.
Phone: 906-289-4966 | M-26 just west of Copper Harbor proper.
Lac La Belle Marina
•Boat Launch : Marina
Just 15 minutes from Copper Harbor on the “south shore,” next door to Mount Bohemia, Lac La Belle is one of the largest inland lakes in the Keweenaw. On northeast side of the lake there is a state marina and boat launch, gas and additional dockage — plus some mighty good fishing, boating and paddling. Lac La Belle is linked directly to Lake Superior via a man-made channel maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and offers access to the BIG LAKE, while at the same time providing a beautiful harbor of refuge in wetland sloughs.
Lake Bailey
•Boat Launch
Nicknamed the “doughnut” lake, Lake Bailey is located on M-26 about 10 miles west of Copper Harbor. A public boat launch is on the lake’s eastern end. This lakes shallow and marshy nature is very scenic and a waterfowl haven. The large island in the lake’s center is accessible for day use by the public.
Lake Fanny Hooe
•Boat Launch : Fishing Dock
Just a mile from downtown Copper Harbor, boaters and paddlers may access the public boat launch at nearby Fort Wilkins State Park (note: a Michigan Recreational Passport or day use permit is required for entry). Lake Fanny Hooe (pronounced “ho”) is a long, skinny lake, approximately two miles long by one quarter mile wide. Highlights include the historic military outpost at Fort Wilkins and uninhabited State Park property along the majority of the south shore. Go fishing, swimming, paddling and more, while enjoying the amazing scenery and wildlife along this lake.
Lake Manganese
•Level: Easy
Located just a mile south of town, this pristine, tiny lake warms up quickly and hosts the only sand beach in immediate proximity to Copper Harbor. It’s great on a hot summer day for swimming amidst on and in water recreating. Picnic tables and pit toilets are available too.
There is a trail along the shore of the lake and depending on the lake level, goes around the lake. The habitat in this area makes for great bird and wildlife watching. Eagles fish, loons hunt and you may see otters dining on crayfish in the lake.
Note: parking space is limited.
Lake Medora
•Boat Launch
Just four miles south of Copper Harbor on US Hwy 41, this Canadian-like lake has a number of islands, scenic mountain views and is known to have some good fishing. Several of the islands are open to the public, however users need to respect the majority of the shoreline, as it is privately owned. It’s a beautiful lake that is perfect for paddling, fishing, boating and watching wildlife. There is a parking area and public boat launch for boating access.
Click here for details and map
Schlatter Lake
•Boat Lauch
About eight miles east of Copper Harbor, on the State Forest land near the tip of the peninsula, boaters, anglers and paddlers will need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to access its remote locale or be willing to portage for several miles.
This uninhabited lake is great for its solitude, its fishing and is known for its island. Primitive camping is allowed on the lake’s shore, although a user permit, available for no fee, must be obtained from Ft. Wilkins State Park. Camping is prohibited on Schlatter’s Island, although day use is permitted.
Rentals & Services
Noah’s Ark Charters
•Noah’s Ark Charters is a shuttle service located in Copper Harbor, MI operating from the Bella Vista Motel grounds. We are a family run business that have been enjoying all that Copper Harbor and Lake Superior have to offer for 20+ years. We love our home and love to share it with nature enthusiasts like you!
Noah’s Ark Charters is dedicated to providing customers with an immersive experience on the shores of Lake Superior that cannot be reached by foot. Choose one of our many offered excursion or reach out to us for a customized experience! We are more than willing to cater to any request.
180 6th Street
Website || (906) 289-4213
Gas Lite General Store
•Open Year Round
Fresh produce, fresh meats, cold beer & wine, packaged liquor, camping and fishing supplies, ice cream, cold pop, groceries, books, maps, ice, clothing, fishing and hunting licenses, ATM.
Phone: 906-289-4652 | US-41 (Gratiot Street) & 1st Street
Copper Harbor Fuel Stop
•Open Year Round
Located just off the intersection of Highway 41 and 26 in the village of Copper Harbor, Copper Harbor Fuel Stop proudly fulfills the automotive gasoline, diesel and accessory needs of the residents and guests of Copper Harbor and the greater Keweenaw county region. Our convenience store offers an array of items such as energy, water, and sport drinks, sodas and snacks and seasonal fresh made-to-order hoagie sandwiches to go! There is an extensive selection of fishing, camping, snowmobile, and ORV accessories and supplies. Open 364 days a year the professional friendly staff of “the Fuel Stop” is here to serve you the customer. Learn more at: http://www.copperharborfuelstop.com/
Website || Phone: 906-289-3483 || M-26 (Gratiot Street) & 7th Street