Fishing at Cope Lake, Newaygo County, Michigan

• Overview

  Cope Lake belongs to Newaygo County, Michigan. It lies 797 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 7 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our Newaygo County list. Newaygo is the closest town at 1.9 miles. It is 34 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Cope Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. 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. Records held for Newaygo County cover largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, johnny darter and white sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Cope Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 69°F and January about 21°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near mid December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Cope Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Kimball Lake, 1.4 miles away. Confirm access to Cope Lake locally before you travel.