Mitchell Lakes in Lapeer County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  This water sits in Lapeer County, Michigan. Elevation runs to 863 feet. About 23 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. You are 5 miles from Imlay City. Lapeer is 8.9 miles and North Branch 11 miles. Nearest other option: Cranberry Lake a touch under 0.3 miles, Mud Lake 0.6 miles away, Pickerel Lake a touch under 1.6 miles, Simmons Lake 1.6 miles away and Bass Lake a touch under 1.7 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Mitchell Lakes

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Public occurrence data for Lapeer County names bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon and black crappie. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Mitchell Lakes the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 70°F in July and bottom out at 22°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. From about early April to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mitchell Lakes.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Cranberry Lake, 0.3 miles out. Where Mitchell Lakes is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.