Fishing Deadman Lake in Clare County, Michigan

• Overview

  In Michigan, Deadman Lake belongs to Clare County. Beyond the shoreline you have mixed forest. About 13 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. 7.8 miles away sits Clare, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Grand Rapids, 71 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Deadman Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass and pink salmon. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Treat Deadman Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 19°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. The water is typically free of ice between early April and mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. At Deadman Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Surrey Lake sits 1.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Deadman Lake.