Lake Marjory, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake Marjory is an Otsego County water, Michigan side. It lies 1,240 feet above sea level. Around 42 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge runs 1.0 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. Gaylord is the closest town at 11 miles. It is 140 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Marjory

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name rock bass, white sucker and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Lake Marjory fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 66°F and January reads 17°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about early December in a typical year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Expect Lake Marjory to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Mapping shows a jetty some 0.9 miles off. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Big Bradford Lake, 0.7 miles away. Nothing here settles the position at Lake Marjory for certain.