Avalon Lake in Montmorency County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  This water sits in Montmorency County, Michigan. Mixed forest runs right down to the water. About 386 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The bank runs about 3.0 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It ranks high for size among our Montmorency County listings. The nearest town is Lewiston, 23 miles away. Lansing is the closest city, 167 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Avalon Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public occurrence data for Montmorency County names largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and rock bass. The county list is broader than any single water. Anyone new to Avalon Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 17°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Avalon Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Lake Avalon Boat Launch sits about half a mile away and carries the launch. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The nearest alternative is Beaver Lake, 0.8 miles out. For Avalon Lake in particular, ask before you travel.