Buck Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Hillsdale County end of Michigan holds Buck Lake. The ground around here is mixed forest. At 3 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On size it sits at the modest end of our Hillsdale County list. Hillsdale sits 5.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The nearest city of size is Ann Arbor, 47 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Buck Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish documented in Hillsdale County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and warmouth. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Buck Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 21°F to 70°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Ice usually gives way near late March, and forms again about mid December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Buck Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Lake Adams at 2.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Buck Lake locally before you travel.