Downey Lake Fishing Guide, Oakland County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Downey Lake in the Oakland County part of Michigan. Height above sea level is 991 feet. About 11 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The nearest town is Milford, 3.5 miles away. The nearest city of size is Ann Arbor, 26 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Downey Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Oakland County records list bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass and yellow perch among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Downey Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 22°F to 71°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. At Downey Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is a mapped slipway roughly half a mile away. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Harvey Lake is 0.6 miles distant. None of that is settled for Downey Lake in what we hold.