Gillon Lake in Oceana County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Oceana County, Michigan, is where Gillon Lake sits. It sits in mixed forest country. About 15 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. 10 miles away sits Shelby, the nearest town. The big place round here is Grand Rapids, 50 miles distant. More in the same country: Hightower Lake after 0.7 miles, Mud Lake at 2.2 miles, Bloggett Lake after 2.5 miles, Ralston Lake at 3.5 miles and Sparks Lake after 3.5 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Gillon Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Public occurrence data for Oceana County names brook trout, walleye, white sucker and rock bass. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Gillon Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 69°F and January at 21°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Break-up near early April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Plan any trip to Gillon Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Hightower Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Confirm before you fish Gillon Lake.