Little Gilkey Lake Fishing Guide, Barry County, Michigan

• Overview

  Little Gilkey Lake is listed under Barry County, Michigan. The ground round it is rolling bush. At 8 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On size it sits at the modest end of our Barry County list. Supplies mean a trip to Stony Point, 4.1 miles off. South Gull Lake follows at 6.2 miles, then Level Park-Oak Park at 8.6 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Little Gilkey Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Barry County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Work Little Gilkey Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 71°F, while January sits near 22°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Look for the thaw near late March; the fishing lifts straight after. The season between ice runs from about late March to mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan any trip to Little Gilkey Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Shallow Gilkey Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. For Little Gilkey Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.