Fishing Bliss Lake in Alcona County, Michigan

• Overview

  Alcona County, Michigan, is where Bliss Lake sits. The water sits 883 feet up. Around 38 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The nearest place of any size is Hubbard Lake, 12 miles away. Sand Lake follows at 20 miles, then Au Sable at 21 miles. Others close at hand: Tubbs Lake some 1.1 miles off, Little Trout Lake 1.8 miles off, DeLap Lake some 2.1 miles off, Sprinkler Lake 2.3 miles off and Indian Lakes some 2.7 miles off. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Bliss Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Alcona County records list white sucker, rock bass and yellow perch among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The shape of Bliss Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 67°F at the top of summer and 18°F at the bottom of winter. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and mid December closes it again. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Bliss Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Tubbs Lake sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Bliss Lake before loading the car.