Mud Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Mud Lake sits in Kalkaska County, out in Michigan. It sits in pine and birch country. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. Most waters listed here for Kalkaska County are larger. The nearest town is Kalkaska, 7 miles away. It is 122 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Kalkaska County, recorded fish include yellow perch, white sucker, rock bass and largemouth bass. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Mud Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 67°F and January at 19°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and mid December closes it again. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. That is the shape of the year on Mud Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. The slipway at Guernsey Lake SFCG Boat Launch is half a mile away. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. There are toilets mapped about 0.9 miles away. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Should this one be busy, Little Guernsey Lakes is 0.4 miles off. What applies at Mud Lake may have changed since it was mapped.