Bluegill Lake Fishing near Canadian Lakes, Michigan

• Overview

  Bluegill Lake is one of the Mecosta County listings for Michigan. The surroundings are rolling bush. Surface area runs to about 12 acres — small enough to read in one session. For a base, Canadian Lakes sits 9 miles out. The big place round here is Grand Rapids, 55 miles distant. Also worth knowing: Pretty Lake at 0.5 miles, Bass Lake a touch under 0.5 miles, Boom Lake at 0.6 miles, Bullhead Lake a touch under 0.8 miles and Saddlebag Lake at 0.9 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Bluegill Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass, black crappie and northern pike. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Bluegill Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 69°F for July and 19°F for January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Expect Bluegill Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. A ramp at Pretty Lake Boat Launch is mapped half a mile away. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Pretty Lake is 0.5 miles off. None of that is settled for Bluegill Lake in what we hold.