Perch Lake near Evart: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Perch Lake is set in Osceola County, Michigan. Height above sea level is 1,358 feet. Surface area runs to about 8 acres — small enough to read in one session. Compared with other Michigan water on our list, it sits high. The closest town, Evart, is 9.8 miles away. Reed City is 13 miles away, with Cadillac at 16 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Perch Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Osceola County records list bluegill, largemouth bass and pink salmon among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Perch Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 67°F, while January sits near 18°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Break-up sits around mid April on average, with the water closing again about early December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Perch Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Bear Lake, 0.3 miles away. What applies at Perch Lake may have changed since it was mapped.