Little Cranberry Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Ogemaw County end of Michigan holds Little Cranberry Lake. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. It covers about 8 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Sand Lake lies 11 miles from the water. Beyond it, Skidway Lake at 13 miles and West Branch at 17 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Little Cranberry Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name bluegill, rock bass and pink salmon. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Little Cranberry Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 18°F in January to roughly 68°F in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly mid December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. That shapes the year on Little Cranberry Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Laird Lake is 1.5 miles off. Treat access at Little Cranberry Lake as something to verify.