Fishing at Grass Lake, Ogemaw County, Michigan

• Overview

  You will find Grass Lake in Ogemaw County, Michigan. It lies 1,263 feet above sea level. It covers about 16 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Saint Helen, is 6.3 miles away. The nearest city of size is Lansing, 116 miles away. Water in the same corner: Clear Lake out at 0.6 miles, Elni Lake at 0.9 miles, Bear Lake out at 1 mile, Horseshoe Lake at 1.3 miles and Piper Lake out at 1.6 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Grass Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Ogemaw County include bluegill, rock bass, pink salmon, largemouth bass and yellow perch. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Work Grass Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 67°F in July and bottom out at 17°F in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near early December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Time your trip to Grass Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Clear Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Grass Lake are worth checking on the day.