Fishing Beaver Lake in Mecosta County, Michigan

• Overview

  Mecosta County in Michigan is where Beaver Lake sits. It lies 951 feet above sea level. At roughly 23 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Nearest town is Canadian Lakes, 0.9 miles off. It is 45 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. Within a short drive: Camper Lake (0.2 miles), West Canadian Lake just 0.6 miles, Dukes Lake (0.7 miles), East Canadian Lake just 1.2 miles and Lake Laura (1.9 miles). No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Beaver Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Mecosta County include bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass and black crappie. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Beaver Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 69°F for July and 20°F for January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. Average temperatures cross freezing around early April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That shapes the year on Beaver Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Camper Lake, 0.2 miles out. Rules at Beaver Lake are worth checking on the day.