Decker Lake in Gladwin County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Decker Lake lies within the bounds of Gladwin County, Michigan. It stands 906 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 6 acres — small enough to read in one session. On size it sits at the modest end of our Gladwin County list. You are 7.3 miles from Harrison. The nearest city of size is Grand Rapids, 89 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Decker Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Gladwin County list bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Anyone new to Decker Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 68°F and January about 19°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. From about early April to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Decker Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. A protected area covers this ground, which usually means restrictions on access. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Schiemann Lake is 1 mile off. For Decker Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.