Fishing at Hart Lake, Barry County, Michigan

• Overview

  Hart Lake lies in Barry County, in Michigan. What surrounds it is pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 10 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is a small entry by Barry County standards. Lake Odessa sits 5.3 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Nashville lies 9.6 miles off, Portland another 12 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Hart Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Barry County records list bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Take Hart Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 71°F in July and bottom out at 22°F in January. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Climate averages put the opening at about late March and the closing near mid December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Hart Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Public data records a boat ramp half a mile out. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Tamarack Lake State Game Area covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Durk Lake, 0.2 miles away. Rules at Hart Lake are worth checking on the day.