Fishing Mud Lake in Iosco County, Michigan

• Overview

  Iosco County, Michigan, is where Mud Lake sits. It lies 879 feet above sea level. Small at around 19 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Sand Lake, is 11 miles away. For a city, Lansing is 121 miles off. Others close at hand: North Dease Lake (0.7 miles), Little Long Lake within 1.1 miles, South Dease Lake (1.4 miles), Peterson Lake within 1.4 miles and Long Lake (1.5 miles). Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Iosco County include rock bass, bluegill, pink salmon, largemouth bass and northern pike. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Mud Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 18°F in January and 68°F in July. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly mid December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Time your trip to Mud Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. North Dease Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Mud Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.