Gilmore Lake Fishing near Sturgis, Michigan

• Overview

  Gilmore Lake stands in Saint Joseph County, Michigan. The water sits 860 feet up. 2.6 miles away sits Sturgis, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is South Bend, 45 miles away. Others worth noting: Lee Lake out at 1.4 miles, Williams Lake a shade over 1.5 miles, Dark Lake out at 1.8 miles, Baker Lake a shade over 1.9 miles and Cedar Lake out at 2.4 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Gilmore Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Fish documented in Saint Joseph County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Gilmore Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 22°F in January to roughly 72°F in July. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice-out usually falls in late March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. The lid tends to go about late March and return around mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Expect Gilmore Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Lee Lake is 1.4 miles off. Check the position at Gilmore Lake before loading the car.