Lawrence Lake Fishing Guide, Emmet County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Lawrence Lake in Emmet County, Michigan. Elevation runs to 604 feet. It runs to roughly 31 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Ground here is low by Michigan standards. Start from Saint Ignace, 13 miles down the road. After that come Cheboygan at 20 miles and Harbor Springs at 20 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Lawrence Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Emmet County include yellow perch, rock bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill and white sucker. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Lawrence Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 67°F, the coldest about 17°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to early December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Lawrence Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. O'Neal Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Lawrence Lake.