Burley Lake Fishing near Howard City, Michigan

• Overview

  Burley Lake sits in Montcalm County, out in Michigan. It lies 899 feet above sea level. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Montcalm County. Some 2.4 miles away sits Howard City, the nearest settlement. Lakeview is 10 miles and Canadian Lakes 14 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Burley Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Montcalm County cover bluegill, largemouth bass and white sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Burley Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 69°F in July and bottoms out near 20°F in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Ice clears near early April and comes back about mid December in a typical year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Burley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Henkel Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Burley Lake are worth checking on the day.