Gordon Lake Fishing in Calhoun County, Michigan

• Overview

  Set in Calhoun County, Michigan, this is Gordon Lake. The surface lies 915 feet up. It measures about 29 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Supplies mean a trip to Albion, 7.4 miles off. Lansing is the closest city, 29 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing. It is a working water rather than a showpiece.

• Where to Fish on Gordon Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Calhoun County include bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Gordon Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 71°F, the coldest about 22°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. That is the shape of the year on Gordon Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Gordon Lake Boat Launch gives a made launch, half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Clark Lake, 0.4 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Gordon Lake are worth checking on the day.