Fishing Baker Lake in Saint Joseph County, Michigan

• Overview

  This water sits in Saint Joseph County, Michigan. It lies 856 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 3 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Saint Joseph County. Sturgis is the closest town at 2.1 miles. Then Lagrange, 11 miles, and Bronson, 11 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Baker Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Saint Joseph County cover bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and pink salmon. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Fish Baker Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 22°F to 72°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Break-up near late March, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Baker Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The nearest recorded ramp is Lee Lake Boat Launch, half a mile out. The water borders Lee Lake Public Access, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Williams Lake, 0.5 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on Baker Lake is worth confirming on the day.