Black Lake Fishing in Kalamazoo County, Michigan

• Overview

  Black Lake falls in Kalamazoo County, part of Michigan. This is rolling bush country. The water measures roughly 24 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Vicksburg is the closest town at 3.4 miles. Schoolcraft is 3.5 miles away, with Portage at 8 miles. Also worth knowing: Tub Lake at about 0.4 miles, 0.6 miles away is Howard Lake, Goose Lake at about 1 mile, 1.2 miles away is Barton Lake and Kimble Lake at about 2.1 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Black Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Records held for Kalamazoo County cover bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Black Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 23°F in January up to 72°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. Break-up sits around late March on average, with the water closing again about mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Plan around that when you fish Black Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Tub Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Treat access at Black Lake as something to verify.