Icehouse Lake in Clare County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Clare County, Michigan, you have Icehouse Lake. It stands 1,014 feet above sea level. At about 38 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Harrison is the closest town at 4 miles. It is 88 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. Within easy reach: Haven Lake just 0.4 miles, Dodge Lake at 0.4 miles, Sand Lake just 0.4 miles, Townline Lake at 0.5 miles and Canada Lake just 0.6 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Icehouse Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Reported across Clare County: bluegill, largemouth bass and pink salmon. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Work Icehouse Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 18°F in January and 68°F in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Icehouse Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Haven Lake, 0.4 miles away. Ask locally about Icehouse Lake if anything is unclear.