Joslin Lake Fishing in Livingston County, Michigan

• Overview

  Joslin Lake sits in Livingston County, out in Michigan. It sits at 889 feet above sea level. At about 218 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The edge runs 2.3 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is among the larger waters listed here for Livingston County. Stockbridge is the closest place, 6 miles off. It is 19 miles to Ann Arbor, the nearest city. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Joslin Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Livingston County include bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Joslin Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 70°F in July and bottoms out near 22°F in January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late March. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late March and starts locking again about mid December. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Joslin Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A slipway half a mile out gives trailer access. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, South Lake is 1.4 miles off. Rules at Joslin Lake are worth checking on the day.