Fishing Notten Lake in Washtenaw County, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Notten Lake, in Washtenaw County. Elevation runs to 971 feet. Around 34 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Shoreline comes to about 1.0 miles, small enough to learn in a day. The closest town, Grass Lake, is 5.4 miles away. Further out sit Chelsea (5.7 miles) and Stockbridge (11 miles). The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Notten Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Washtenaw County include bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass and black crappie. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Notten Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 71°F at the top of summer and 22°F at the bottom of winter. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Once it clears, about late March, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages place the thaw at late March and the freeze at mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Notten Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Lehman Lake, 0.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Notten Lake before loading the car.