Fishing at Le Ferre Lake, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

• Overview

  Kalamazoo County in Michigan is where Le Ferre Lake sits. The country here is pine and birch. Small at around 19 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Kalamazoo County are larger. The nearest place of any size is Galesburg, 5.3 miles away. Further out sit Lakeview (9.9 miles) and Springfield (10 miles). Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Le Ferre Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Kalamazoo County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Fish Le Ferre Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 22°F and July at about 72°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice-out usually falls in late March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Open water usually runs from late March until about mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Le Ferre Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Launch at Le Ferre Lake Boat Launch, half a mile from the water. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Goose Pond is 0.8 miles off. Check the position at Le Ferre Lake before loading the car.