Gambs Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Gambs Lake is set in Manistee County, Michigan. It sits at 600 feet above sea level. At 3 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Manistee County are larger. Head to Manistee, 1.6 miles away, for anything you forgot. Scottville follows at 19 miles, then Ludington at 19 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Gambs Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Manistee County: alewife, rainbow smelt, bloater, johnny darter and lake trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Gambs Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 22°F in January to roughly 69°F in July. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Gambs Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Launch at Canfield Lake Boat Launch, half a mile from the water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Lake Winnogene at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Gambs Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.