Clark Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Clark Lake lies in Calhoun County, Michigan. Height above sea level is 915 feet. At about 46 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. There is roughly 1.0 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Albion lies 7.8 miles from the water. The big place round here is Lansing, 28 miles distant. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Clark Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Calhoun County cover bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch and white sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Clark Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• 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. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. The water is typically free of ice between late March and mid December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Clark Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. A ramp at Gordon Lake Boat Launch is mapped half a mile away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Silvers Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Clark Lake.