Ely Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Allegan County entry here is Ely Lake, in Michigan. The water sits 656 feet up. Roughly 27 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Michigan listings. Fennville lies 5.4 miles from the water. Allegan is 9.3 miles and Douglas 11 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Ely Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Allegan County include alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch and bloater. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Ely Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 71°F and January near 23°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late March. Climate averages put the opening at about late March and the closing near late December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Time your trip to Ely Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Launching is possible: a slipway lies half a mile off. A camping area sits within 130 yards of here. Carp respond to sweetcorn or boilies fished patiently on the bottom near feeding areas. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Mud Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at Ely Lake before loading the car.