Lake Chemung in Livingston County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Chemung lies in Livingston County, Michigan. What surrounds it is lake country bush. About 310 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. You are looking at roughly 4.4 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. It is among the larger waters listed here for Livingston County. Head to Howell, 4.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. Brighton is 5.1 miles and Pinckney 10 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Lake Chemung

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Livingston County include bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, pink salmon and yellow perch. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Lake Chemung the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 70°F in July and bottoms out near 22°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late March until roughly 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 Lake Chemung.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The nearest recorded ramp is Lake Chemung Boat Launch, half a mile out. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Euler Lake, 1.7 miles away. Rules at Lake Chemung are worth checking on the day.