Fishing at Elbow Lake, Cass County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Elbow Lake in Cass County, Michigan. The water sits 873 feet up. Small at around 18 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Cass County. Constantine at 9.1 miles is the nearest place to stop. It is 26 miles to South Bend, the nearest city. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Elbow Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and warmouth. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Read Elbow Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 23°F and July at about 72°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Count the season from break-up, usually late March. Averages suggest open water from about late March through to roughly mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Elbow Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Lime Lakes sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. For Elbow Lake in particular, ask before you travel.