Murray Lake in Genesee County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Genesee County entry here is Murray Lake, in Michigan. It sits at 840 feet above sea level. With some 40 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. A shoreline of some 1.1 miles keeps the choices simple. The nearest town is Argentine, 0.7 miles away. Lansing is the closest city, 35 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Murray Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Genesee County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon, black crappie and common carp. The county list is broader than any single water. Murray Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 70°F, the coldest about 21°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. The open-water window runs from around early April to about mid December in an average year. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. At Murray Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Mapping shows a jetty some half a mile off. This sits inside Harper Preserve, so read the reserve notices first. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Ryan Lake, 0.7 miles away. None of that is settled for Murray Lake in what we hold.