Allen Lake in Mason County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Allen Lake belongs to Mason County, Michigan. Land around it is pine and birch. At 17 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It lies lower than most water we list in Michigan. Scottville is the closest place, 4.6 miles off. For a city, Grand Rapids is 75 miles off. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Allen Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Mason County include rainbow smelt, alewife, bloater and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Allen Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 69°F and January at 21°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan around that when you fish Allen Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, McKimzie Lake is 0.7 miles off. Check the position at Allen Lake before loading the car.