Fishing at Crane Lake, Genesee County, Michigan

• Overview

  The Genesee County entry here is Crane Lake, in Michigan. The ground round it is lake country bush. Surface area is around 37 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The closest town, Lake Fenton, is 1.9 miles away. The big place round here is Ann Arbor, 39 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Crane Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. 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. Reported across Genesee County: bluegill, largemouth bass and pink salmon. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. The shape of Crane Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 71°F and January near 22°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around early April. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly mid December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Crane Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. 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. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Loon Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Where Crane Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.