Little Wildcat Lake in Oceana County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Little Wildcat Lake stands in Oceana County, Michigan. It sits at 682 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 11 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It lies lower than most water we list in Michigan. The nearest place of any size is Shelby, 6.6 miles away. It is 52 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Little Wildcat Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Oceana County records list brook trout, walleye, white sucker, rock bass and smallmouth bass among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The near bank of Little Wildcat Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 69°F for July and 22°F for January. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. Ice clears near early April and comes back about mid December in a typical year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Time your trip to Little Wildcat Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. You can camp about half a mile away, going by the mapping. There are picnic tables 0.9 miles away. Facilities run to toilets 0.9 miles from the water. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Round Lake is 0.5 miles off. Nothing here settles the position at Little Wildcat Lake for certain.