Mud Lake near Reed City: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Mud Lake is one of the Osceola County waters in Michigan. The bank is 1,175 feet above sea level. It covers about 17 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. 7.6 miles away sits Reed City, the nearest town. Evart follows at 11 miles, then Cadillac at 19 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Osceola County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon, northern pike and white sucker among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Mud Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 68°F and January near 18°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Mud Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. 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. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Eggleston Lake at 0.5 miles is the nearest alternative. For Mud Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.