Long Lake Fishing near Marcellus, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Long Lake, in Saint Joseph County. Height above sea level is 912 feet. It runs to roughly 209 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The perimeter runs near 3.1 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It ranks high for size among our Saint Joseph County listings. 5.8 miles away sits Marcellus, the nearest town. Three Rivers is 6.2 miles and Constantine 9.1 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Saint Joseph County include bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Treat Long Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 23°F to 71°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late March. Average temperatures cross freezing around late March in spring and again near mid December in autumn. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. At Long Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The nearest recorded ramp is Long Lake Boat Launch, half a mile out. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Should this one be busy, Allen Lake is 1.1 miles off. For Long Lake in particular, ask before you travel.