Fishing at Grass Lake, Benzie County, Michigan

• Overview

  Grass Lake sits in Benzie County, out in Michigan. It stands 810 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 136 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. The edge covers about 3.1 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. The closest town, Traverse City, is 16 miles away. The nearest city of size is Green Bay, 107 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Grass Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Benzie County records list yellow perch, rock bass, smallmouth bass and white sucker among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Work Grass Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 20°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. The open-water window runs from around early April to about mid December in an average year. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. It holds true on Grass Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Lost Lake, 1.7 miles away. Confirm before you fish Grass Lake.