King Lake Fishing Guide, Ogemaw County, Michigan

• Overview

  Set in Ogemaw County, King Lake is a Michigan water. The land about it is mixed forest. At roughly 2 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Ogemaw County list holds plenty of bigger water. The town to know is Skidway Lake, 11 miles out. Further out sit West Branch (13 miles) and Sand Lake (15 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on King Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Ogemaw County records list bluegill, rock bass and pink salmon among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At King Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 18°F in January to roughly 68°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. Open water usually runs from early April until about early December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to King Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Launching is at Houghton Lake Heights Access Site, about half a mile away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Little Williams Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. For King Lake in particular, ask before you travel.