Fishing Caruthers Lake in Allegan County, Michigan

• Overview

  Caruthers Lake is one of the Allegan County waters in Michigan. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 21 acres — small enough to read in one session. For supplies, Otsego is 5 miles out. Grand Rapids sits 30 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Caruthers Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Allegan County cover alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch and bloater. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Read Caruthers Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 71°F and January about 22°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Look for the thaw near late March; the fishing lifts straight after. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Caruthers Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Carp respond to sweetcorn or boilies fished patiently on the bottom near feeding areas. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Wetheral Lake at 1 mile is the nearest alternative. What applies at Caruthers Lake may have changed since it was mapped.