Palmer Lake Fishing in Saint Joseph County, Michigan

• Overview

  Palmer Lake sits in Saint Joseph County, out in Michigan. It lies 853 feet above sea level. This is sizeable water at about 498 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. Few waters listed in Saint Joseph County are bigger. Nearest town is Colon, 1.8 miles off. The nearest city of size is South Bend, 50 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Palmer Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Across Saint Joseph County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and pink salmon. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Palmer Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in January up to 72°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice clears near late March and comes back about mid December in a typical year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Palmer Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Washburn Lake, 0.5 miles away. Where Palmer Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.