Barton Pond Fishing near Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Barton Pond, in Washtenaw County. Country round the bank runs to mixed forest. It runs to roughly 239 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. At about 6.5 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. On our Washtenaw County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest place of any size is Ann Arbor, 2.7 miles away. Dexter lies 6.8 miles off, Whitmore Lake another 8.7 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Barton Pond

  Depth on file is 5 ft. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Washtenaw County include bluegill, largemouth bass and rock bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Barton Pond fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 72°F and January at 22°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late March. Open water usually runs from late March until about mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Anyone fishing Barton Pond regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is listed as public in our records, so the bank is open. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. This sits inside Bird Hills Nature Area, so read the reserve notices first. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. First Sister Lake at 2.9 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Barton Pond in what we hold.