Fishing Pardee Lake in Livingston County, Michigan

• Overview

  Within Livingston County, Michigan, you have Pardee Lake. It sits at 935 feet above sea level. Around 77 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Start from Howell, 5.2 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Ann Arbor, 20 miles away. Round about: Gale Lake some 0.3 miles off, Coon Lake at about 0.5 miles, Cranberry Lake some 0.9 miles off, Chenango Lake at about 2.1 miles and Pleasant Lake some 2.5 miles off. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Pardee Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Livingston County records list bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie, pink salmon and yellow perch among the fish reported. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Fish Pardee Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in January up to 70°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Look for the thaw near late March; the fishing lifts straight after. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late March until roughly mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan around that when you fish Pardee Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Gale Lake at 0.3 miles is the sensible second choice. For Pardee Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.