Goose Lake Fishing near Litchfield, Michigan

• Overview

  Hillsdale County in Michigan is where Goose Lake sits. Country round the bank runs to rolling bush. At 19 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The nearest town is Litchfield, 4.5 miles away. Further out sit Jonesville (6.5 miles) and Concord (7.2 miles). A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Goose Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Hillsdale County include bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Take Goose Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 71°F in July and bottoms out near 22°F in January. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Ice clears near late March and comes back about mid December in a typical year. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. That is the shape of the year on Goose Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. You can camp 150 yards off, which suits an early start. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. If the gate is shut, Mosherville Lake at 1.8 miles is the nearest alternative. For Goose Lake in particular, ask before you travel.