Mud Lake Fishing near West Branch, Michigan

• Overview

  You will find Mud Lake in Ogemaw County, Michigan. It sits in mixed forest country. This is a pocket water of some 4 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. On size it sits at the modest end of our Ogemaw County list. West Branch at 8.9 miles is the nearest place to stop. Beyond it, Saint Helen at 13 miles and Gladwin at 15 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Ogemaw County cover bluegill, rock bass, pink salmon, largemouth bass and yellow perch. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Mud Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 68°F and January near 18°F on the long-run figures. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early April. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mud Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A phone call first saves an afternoon. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Frost Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat Mud Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.