Fishing at Kilpatrick Lake, Barry County, Michigan

• Overview

  Set in Barry County, Kilpatrick Lake is a Michigan water. It sits at 823 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 20 acres — small enough to read in one session. You are 5.7 miles from Lake Odessa. After that come Nashville at 7.6 miles and Hastings at 12 miles. What else is close: Second Lake 0.3 miles away, First Lake 0.6 miles, Carr Lake 0.6 miles away, Mud Lake 0.7 miles and Saubee Lake 1.6 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Kilpatrick Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and pink salmon. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Kilpatrick Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 71°F at the top of summer and 22°F at the bottom of winter. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. At Kilpatrick Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Second Lake at 0.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Kilpatrick Lake as something to verify.