Fishing at Lake Laura, Mecosta County, Michigan

• Overview

  This water sits in Mecosta County, Michigan. This is mixed forest ground. Canadian Lakes sits 2.1 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Further out sit Lakeview (8 miles) and Big Rapids (14 miles). Within a short drive: Dukes Lake a shade over 1.5 miles, Beaver Lake just 1.9 miles, Camper Lake a shade over 2 miles, West Canadian Lake just 2.1 miles and School Section Lake a shade over 2.4 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Lake Laura

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. 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. Survey and observation records for Mecosta County include bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass and black crappie. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Lake Laura the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 69°F and January about 20°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. Average temperatures cross freezing around early April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. The season on Lake Laura follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Dukes Lake is 1.5 miles off. For Lake Laura, the notice at the access point is the final word.