Jackson Lake in Allegan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Allegan County, Michigan, is where Jackson Lake sits. It sits at 784 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 15 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Start from Wayland, 3.9 miles down the road. Beyond it, Middleville at 6.5 miles and Caledonia at 9 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Jackson Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Allegan County include alewife, rainbow smelt and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The shape of Jackson Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 71°F; by January the average is down near 22°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Break-up near late March, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on Jackson Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Parking is mapped about half a mile from the bank. Carp respond to sweetcorn or boilies fished patiently on the bottom near feeding areas. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Hill Lake sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Jackson Lake may have changed since it was mapped.