Fishing Adams Lake in Charlevoix County, Michigan

• Overview

  Within Charlevoix County, Michigan, you have Adams Lake. Everything around it is rolling bush. Around 44 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. A shoreline of some 1.0 miles keeps the choices simple. Ground here is low by Michigan standards. Charlevoix lies 3.9 miles from the water. After that come East Jordan at 9.4 miles and Bay Harbor at 11 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Adams Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Charlevoix County include rainbow smelt, alewife and shortjaw cisco. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Adams Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 67°F on average, January about 21°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Open water usually runs from mid April until about mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. At Adams Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The nearest recorded ramp is Adams Lake Boat Launch, half a mile out. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Nowland Lake is 2.1 miles off. What applies at Adams Lake may have changed since it was mapped.