Clifford Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Livingston County entry here is Clifford Lake, in Michigan. It sits at 935 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 52 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The closest town, Brighton, is 3.6 miles away. For a city, Ann Arbor is 19 miles off. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Clifford Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Livingston County list bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, pink salmon and yellow perch. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Clifford Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 70°F in July and bottoms out near 22°F in January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late March until roughly mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Clifford Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Boats go in at East Crooked Lake Boat Launch, roughly half a mile from the water. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, West Crooked Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Clifford Lake if anything is unclear.