Fishing at Foster Lake, Allegan County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Foster Lake in the Allegan County part of Michigan. The surface lies 719 feet up. It covers about 7 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Our Allegan County list holds plenty of bigger water. Nearest town is Allegan, 4.2 miles off. The nearest city of size is Grand Rapids, 35 miles away. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Foster Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Allegan County cover alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch, bloater and bluegill. The county list is broader than any single water. The shape of Foster Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 23°F in January up to 71°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Climate averages put the opening at about late March and the closing near mid December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Foster Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the carp, bait a margin spot and sit on it; corn and bread still work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Middle Lake, 0.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Treat access at Foster Lake as something to verify.