Fishing Bristol Lake in Barry County, Michigan

• Overview

  Within Barry County, Michigan, you have Bristol Lake. It lies 902 feet above sea level. It measures about 140 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. At about 3.4 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. It ranks high for size among our Barry County listings. The town to know is Level Park-Oak Park, 8.5 miles out. After that come Stony Point at 9.2 miles and South Gull Lake at 10 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Bristol Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Barry County: bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Bristol Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 71°F, while January sits near 22°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late March. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late March and starts locking again about mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That is the shape of the year on Bristol Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Bristol Lake Boat Launch provides a boat ramp about half a mile away. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Long Lake is 0.9 miles off. Check the position at Bristol Lake before loading the car.