Perch Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Perch Lake in the Allegan County part of Michigan. The country here is mixed forest. At 23 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Ground here is low by Michigan standards. Supplies mean a trip to Fennville, 2.7 miles off. Further out sit Douglas (8.5 miles) and Allegan (11 miles). The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Perch Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Allegan County, recorded fish include alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch and bloater. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Perch Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 71°F and January at 23°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly late December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Perch Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Carp respond to sweetcorn or boilies fished patiently on the bottom near feeding areas. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Looking Glass Lake, 1.4 miles away. For Perch Lake in particular, ask before you travel.