What Clone Lake offers anglers

Clone Lake is a shallow, weedy warmwater lake in Schoolcraft County near Manistique—the kind of place where walleye and pike thrive in the vegetation and where you can actually see what you're fishing. The lake runs about 1,200 acres and sits at roughly 700 feet elevation, which keeps it cool enough for walleye even in summer. The bottom is mostly muck and sand with heavy weed growth, especially along the eastern and northern shorelines. That structure is what makes Clone work: walleye hunt the weed edges at dawn and dusk, and pike lurk in the thick stuff waiting for panfish and smaller forage.

The lake is less crowded than some of the better-known Manistique-area waters, which means you'll have room to work and fewer boats running over your spots. Access is straightforward—there's a public boat launch on the south end—and the lake is shallow enough that you don't need a deep-water setup. Most of Clone stays under 30 feet, with the deepest holes around 40 feet. That shallow character means weed control matters: if you're fishing in late summer, expect the vegetation to be thick, and plan your routes accordingly.

Key Takeaways

  • Clone Lake holds walleye and pike in a shallow, weedy environment where structure fishing and edge-hunting are the primary tactics.
  • The public boat launch is on the south end, and the lake is manageable for small to medium boats without deep-water capability.
  • Early morning and evening are most productive for walleye, especially along weed edges on the eastern and northern shores.
  • Summer weed growth is heavy, so bring a weed rake or plan to fish deeper holes and open-water transitions in July and August.
  • Pike fishing is best in spring and fall when the water is cooler and fish move shallower; summer pike often retreat to the deepest weeds.

Walleye fishing on Clone Lake

Walleye on Clone respond well to live bait and crankbaits worked along the weed edges. Rigging a live minnow—fathead or shiner, 3 to 4 inches—on a slip sinker rig and drifting the 8- to 15-foot zone along the eastern shore is a reliable approach in spring and early summer. The walleye here are not huge—most run 15 to 20 inches—but they're consistent, and a good dawn bite can produce 10 to 15 fish in a couple of hours if you're on the right edge.

As the water warms into July and August, the bite moves deeper and tighter to the thickest weed growth. Switch to crankbaits that reach 12 to 18 feet and work them along the weed line rather than through open water. Jigs tipped with minnows or crawlers also work well in the deeper holes. The key is patience: Clone is not a fast-action lake. You're looking for deliberate presentations and a willingness to spend time on one spot rather than running and gunning.

Fall is excellent for walleye on Clone. As the water cools in September and October, the fish move back into the shallower weeds and become more aggressive. This is when you can throw crankbaits and actually get strikes rather than just bites. The bite typically peaks in the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset, but fall fishing can stay decent throughout the day.

Pike and panfish opportunities

Clone Lake's pike population is solid, and the fish run larger here than in some neighboring lakes—18 to 24 inches is common, and 30-inch fish are caught every season. Pike fishing is best in spring (April through May) when the water is cool and pike are shallow and aggressive. Throw large crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or soft plastics along the weed edges and in the shallow bays on the north end. Early morning is prime time.

In summer, pike retreat into the densest weed growth and deeper holes. If you want to catch pike in July and August, you'll need to fish heavy cover—thick weeds in 15 to 25 feet of water—and be prepared for snags. Many anglers switch to panfish during the heat of summer and return to pike in fall, when the water cools again and the fish become more accessible.

Panfish—bluegill, crappie, and pumpkinseed—are abundant on Clone and provide excellent action for kids or as a secondary target when walleye are slow. Fish the shallow bays and weed edges with small jigs, poppers, or live crickets. The panfish bite is typically steady throughout the day, unlike walleye, which are more time-dependent.

Seasonal patterns and timing

Spring (April through May) is the most productive season on Clone. The water is cool, walleye and pike are shallow and hungry, and the weed growth hasn't yet become overwhelming. This is when you can fish a wider range of depths and techniques and still find fish. The spawn is usually over by mid-May, and the post-spawn bite is strong.

Summer (June through August) requires more precision. Walleye bite best at dawn and dusk; pike are deep and in heavy cover; and panfish are your most reliable daytime option. Weed growth peaks in July and August, which can make navigation tricky but also concentrates the fish. Many anglers fish Clone in early summer (June) and then move to deeper lakes in July and August, returning in fall.

Fall (September through October) is underrated on Clone. The water cools, walleye and pike move back into the shallows, and the bite is more consistent throughout the day. This is an excellent time to visit if you want to avoid the summer crowds and still catch fish. By late October, the bite slows as the water drops into the 40s.

Tackle and technique recommendations

For walleye, bring a 6- to 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound braided line or 6- to 8-pound monofilament. Crankbaits in the 2- to 3-inch range work well, as do jigs in the 1/8- to 1/4-ounce range. Live bait rigs with slip sinkers are essential for spring and early summer. A weed rake is helpful for clearing snags and understanding the bottom structure.

For pike, step up to a 7- to 7.5-foot medium-heavy rod with 12- to 15-pound line. Pike on Clone will hit large crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics in the 4- to 6-inch range. Bring a net—Clone's shallow water and weed growth make landing pike without one difficult. A weed rake is even more important for pike fishing, since you'll be working heavy cover.

For panfish, a light spinning rod and 4- to 6-pound line are plenty. Small jigs (1/32 to 1/16 ounce), poppers, and live bait all work. Panfish on Clone are not leader-shy, so you don't need anything fancy—just small hooks and light line.

Access and practical details

The public boat launch on Clone Lake's south end is maintained by Schoolcraft County. It's a single-lane concrete ramp suitable for trailers up to about 20 feet. There's a small parking area, but it fills on weekends during peak season. Arrive early if you're going on a Saturday or Sunday in summer. The launch fee is minimal or free—check with the Manistique area visitor center or the county for current details.

Clone Lake is open to the public year-round, though winter access depends on ice conditions. The lake does freeze solid most winters, and ice fishing for walleye and pike is possible, though less common than on some other Upper Peninsula lakes. Spring and fall are the best times to visit if you want to avoid crowds and still have reliable fishing.

Nearby services—gas, food, lodging—are available in Manistique, about 15 minutes away. There are no services directly on Clone Lake, so plan accordingly. Bring water and snacks, and fill your tank before you head out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of day to fish Clone Lake?

Walleye bite best in the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset, especially in summer. Pike are most active in early morning. Panfish bite throughout the day but are often more active in morning and evening as well. Fall and spring allow for more consistent daytime fishing.

Do I need a boat to fish Clone Lake?

A boat is helpful but not required. The public launch is on the south end, and there are shoreline areas accessible from the road where you can fish from shore. However, most of Clone's best walleye and pike water is reached by boat, and wading is limited by the muck bottom and weed growth.

What size fish can I expect to catch?

Walleye typically run 15 to 20 inches, with occasional fish to 24 inches. Pike average 18 to 24 inches, and 30-inch fish are caught regularly. Panfish are smaller—bluegill and crappie in the 7- to 10-inch range. Clone is not known for trophy fish, but for consistent, solid catches.

Is Clone Lake good for beginners?

Yes. The lake is shallow, the structure is obvious, and panfish are abundant and easy to catch. Walleye and pike require more skill, but the shallow water and weed edges make it easier to locate fish than on deeper lakes. Spring and early summer are the best seasons for learning the lake.

What should I do about the heavy weed growth in summer?

Bring a weed rake to clear snags and understand the bottom. Fish the weed edges rather than through the thickest growth. Move to deeper holes (25 to 40 feet) where weeds are less dense. Many anglers fish Clone in June and then move to deeper lakes in July and August, returning in fall when weeds die back.