Lincoln Lake Fishing near Reed City, Michigan

• Overview

  Lincoln Lake lies in Osceola County, in Michigan. It stands 1,115 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 26 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Reed City at 5.3 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Evart, 11 miles, and Big Rapids, 17 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lincoln Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Survey and observation records for Osceola County include bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Lincoln Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 68°F; the cold one sits at 18°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It holds true on Lincoln Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. For a change of water, Todd Lake is 0.5 miles distant. Confirm access to Lincoln Lake locally before you travel.