Blanchard Lake near Evart: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Mecosta County, Michigan, is where Blanchard Lake sits. It lies 1,102 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 16 acres — small enough to read in one session. Evart is the closest place, 6.8 miles off. The nearest city of size is Grand Rapids, 62 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Blanchard Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Mecosta County include bluegill, largemouth bass and rock bass. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Blanchard Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 19°F in January and 68°F in July. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Blanchard Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Pogy Lake, 0.8 miles out. None of that is settled for Blanchard Lake in what we hold.