Howell Lake Fishing near Lake Orion, Michigan

• Overview

  Howell Lake stands in Oakland County, Michigan. Beyond the shoreline you have lake country bush. Lake Orion at 1.4 miles is the nearest place to stop. After that come Oxford at 1.7 miles and Auburn Hills at 8 miles. Other water nearby: Bailey Lake some 0.4 miles off, Manito Lake 0.5 miles away, Ploss Lake some 1 mile off, Lake Erin 1 mile away and Indianwood Lake some 1.1 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Howell Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Oakland County include bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Treat Howell Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 70°F and January at 22°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. On Howell Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Launching is possible: a slipway lies half a mile off. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Bailey Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Howell Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.