Black Lake Fishing near Cedar Springs, Michigan

• Overview

  Black Lake is a Kent County water, Michigan side. The surface lies 820 feet up. About 11 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The nearest place of any size is Cedar Springs, 3.9 miles away. Sparta is 5.9 miles and Kent City 6.2 miles. If this one is busy: Lim Lake within 1.2 miles, Olin Lakes at 1.6 miles, Long Lake within 1.8 miles, Ke-wag-a-wan Lake at 2.1 miles and Rogue Lake within 2.7 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Black Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Species logged across Kent County include bluegill, rock bass, johnny darter, largemouth bass and black crappie. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Fish Black Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 21°F to 70°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early April. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly mid December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. The season on Black Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Lim Lake is 1.2 miles off. Treat access at Black Lake as something to verify.