Carpenter Lake near Lake Orion: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Carpenter Lake is one of the Oakland County waters in Michigan. It lies 942 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Our Oakland County list holds plenty of bigger water. Lake Orion sits 1.4 miles from here and is the nearest stop. After that come Oxford at 4.1 miles and Auburn Hills at 6.5 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Carpenter Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Oakland County include bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Carpenter Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 70°F, with January the cold end at about 22°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. The open-water window runs from around early April to about mid December in an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It sets the rhythm of the year at Carpenter Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Boat access is recorded roughly half a mile away. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Tamarack Lake, 0.7 miles out. For Carpenter Lake in particular, ask before you travel.