Lake of the Pines in Livingston County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake of the Pines is a Livingston County water, in Michigan. It sits in mixed forest. At about 28 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. 2.2 miles away sits Brighton, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Ann Arbor, 17 miles away. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake of the Pines

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Livingston County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie and pink salmon among the fish reported. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Take Lake of the Pines a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 22°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Winter locks it down, and late March brings it back. On the long-run averages the water opens up around late March and starts locking again about mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake of the Pines.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Pickerel Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Lake of the Pines before loading the car.