Fishing at Little Bear Lake, Montmorency County, Michigan

• Overview

  Little Bear Lake falls in Montmorency County, part of Michigan. Everything around it is lake country bush. It measures about 66 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. About 1.3 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. The nearest town is Lewiston, 3.7 miles away. Further out sit Mio (16 miles) and Gaylord (22 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Little Bear Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Across Montmorency County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Little Bear Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 67°F and January about 17°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and early December closes it again. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. On Little Bear Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Snyder Lake, 0.6 miles out. The position on Little Bear Lake is worth confirming on the day.