Heintz Lake Fishing in Ogemaw County, Michigan

• Overview

  The Ogemaw County end of Michigan holds Heintz Lake. It sits at 1,129 feet above sea level. Small at around 15 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. For a base, West Branch sits 3 miles out. Saint Helen lies 8 miles off, Skidway Lake another 14 miles. Neighbouring water: Ogemaw Lake just 1 mile, Crapo Lake at 2.8 miles, Lang Pond just 3.2 miles, Deer Lake at 3.3 miles and Rifle Lake just 3.3 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Heintz Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Ogemaw County records list bluegill, rock bass and pink salmon among the fish reported. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Heintz Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 67°F and January near 17°F on the long-run figures. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. 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. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. At Heintz Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Ogemaw Lake is 1 mile distant. Check the position at Heintz Lake before loading the car.