Mill Pond Fishing near Lake Orion, Michigan

• Overview

  Oakland County, Michigan, is where Mill Pond sits. Elevation runs to 1,001 feet. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. It is a small entry by Oakland County standards. Nearest place of any size is Lake Orion, 3.8 miles away. Sterling Heights is the closest city, 17 miles away. Within a short run: Adams Lake (0.1 miles), Buhl Lake 0.3 miles, Miller Lake (1.5 miles), Prince Lake 1.5 miles and Green Lake (1.6 miles). Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Mill Pond

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Oakland County include bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. The county list is broader than any single water. Anyone new to Mill Pond should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in January up to 70°F in July. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Expect the water usable from around early April until roughly mid December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. That shapes the year on Mill Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. A launch point is recorded some half a mile off. A car park lies 160 yards away, so the walk in is short. A pier or jetty stands half a mile away, which helps on a crowded bank. Public toilets are recorded roughly 170 yards off. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Adams Lake at 0.1 miles is the nearest alternative. The position on Mill Pond is worth confirming on the day.