McCormick Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  McCormick Lake sits in Montmorency County, out in Michigan. It lies 925 feet above sea level. Roughly 95 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Shoreline comes to about 1.8 miles, small enough to learn in a day. Lewiston sits 5.8 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Beyond it, Gaylord at 21 miles and Mio at 22 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on McCormick Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Species logged across Montmorency County include largemouth bass, bluegill and northern pike. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On McCormick Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 67°F and January near 17°F. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. It sets the rhythm of the year at McCormick Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Ellsworth Lake is 0.9 miles off. For McCormick Lake in particular, ask before you travel.