Hamlin Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Michigan holds Hamlin Lake, in Mason County. Elevation runs to 617 feet. By elevation it sits in the lower part of our Michigan listings. Start from Ludington, 6.4 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Green Bay, 83 miles away. Not far off: Lost Lake within 1.1 miles, Nordhouse Lake 3.6 miles, Lincoln Lake within 4.8 miles, Pere Marquette Lake 8.1 miles and Hackert Lake within 8.5 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Hamlin Lake

  Our records give 80 ft, so you have a figure to work from. 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. Mason County records list rainbow smelt, alewife, bloater and yellow perch among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Hamlin Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 69°F and January near 22°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Count the season from break-up, usually early April. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near mid December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Plan around that when you fish Hamlin Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  This one is recorded as open to the public. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. If the gate is shut, Lost Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. For Hamlin Lake in particular, ask before you travel.