Monterey Lake Fishing Guide, Allegan County, Michigan

• Overview

  This water sits in Allegan County, Michigan. Height above sea level is 669 feet. The water covers some 203 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The perimeter runs near 4.6 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It is among the larger waters listed here for Allegan County. Nearest town is Wayland, 8.5 miles off. Byron Center follows at 9.8 miles, then Allegan at 11 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Monterey Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. County-wide records name alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch and bloater. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Monterey Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 71°F and January near 22°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Climate figures give an open season running late March to mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. On Monterey Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A marina sits within half a mile of the water. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. There is a mapped landing stage half a mile away. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. A rest area sits about half a mile from the water. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. The nearest alternative is Cady Lake, 1.6 miles out. What applies at Monterey Lake may have changed since it was mapped.