Mud Lake Fishing near Concord, Michigan

• Overview

  Mud Lake stands in Jackson County, Michigan. It stands 988 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 13 acres — small enough to read in one session. For supplies, Concord is 4.5 miles out. The big place round here is Lansing, 43 miles distant. Neighbouring water: Bartelle Lake after 0.8 miles, Brail Lake just 1.2 miles, Gregory Lake after 2.4 miles, Wilbur Lake just 2.6 miles and Swains Lake after 2.9 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Survey and observation records for Jackson County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and northern pike. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Mud Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 22°F in January and 71°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. Break-up near late March, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Mud Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Should this one be busy, Bartelle Lake is 0.8 miles off. The position on Mud Lake is worth confirming on the day.