Little Bass Lake Fishing near Lewiston, Michigan

• Overview

  Little Bass Lake lies in Otsego County, Michigan. The ground round it is pine and birch. At 16 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Some 10 miles away sits Lewiston, the nearest settlement. The nearest city of size is Grand Rapids, 147 miles away. Nearby, in order: Big Bass Lake at 1 mile, Clear Lake 1.5 miles, Mud Lake at 2.2 miles, Little Crapo Lake 2.6 miles and Crapo Lake at 3 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Little Bass Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Species logged across Otsego County include rock bass, white sucker and largemouth bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. The shape of Little Bass Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 67°F and January at 16°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. Break-up near mid April, freeze-up near early December: that is the shape of an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Little Bass Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Big Bass Lake sits 1 mile off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Little Bass Lake.