Grass Lake Fishing near Stanton, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Grass Lake in the Montcalm County part of Michigan. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. The water covers some 34 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. 2.1 miles away sits Stanton, the nearest town. Grand Rapids sits 35 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Grass Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Montcalm County include bluegill, largemouth bass, white sucker and johnny darter. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. The near bank of Grass Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 70°F at the top of summer and 21°F at the bottom of winter. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Grass Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. This sits inside Stanton State Game Area, so read the reserve notices first. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Twin Stone Lakes sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Grass Lake are worth checking on the day.