Island Lake Fishing near Chelsea, Michigan

• Overview

  Island Lake is set in Washtenaw County, Michigan. This is mixed forest country. The water covers some 105 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The full circuit measures close to 2.7 miles on foot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Washtenaw County. Chelsea is the closest town at 4.1 miles. Ann Arbor sits 17 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Island Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Washtenaw County names bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass and black crappie. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Island Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in January up to 71°F in July. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. In an average year the thaw lands around late March and the freeze near mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Island Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. There is a slipway on the shore, 0.9 miles from the water we list. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. Fishing from a pier is possible 30 yards away. Sort the permit out before you load the car. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Gorman Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Island Lake before loading the car.