Lily Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Michigan holds Lily Lake, in Clare County. Land around it is rolling bush. Roughly 222 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With 3.8 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. It is among the larger waters listed here for Clare County. Harrison is the closest town at 5.4 miles. Then Clare, 14 miles, and Evart, 19 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lily Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Clare County include bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon and northern pike. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Lily Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 18°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. From about early April to around early December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. On Lily Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A slipway is marked about half a mile from here. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Lake George at 3 miles is the sensible second choice. For Lily Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.