Fishing at Pickerel Lake, Allegan County, Michigan

• Overview

  Pickerel Lake lies within the bounds of Allegan County, Michigan. Height above sea level is 768 feet. The closest town, Wayland, is 2.9 miles away. Grand Rapids sits 22 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Near neighbours: Bass Lake at 0.6 miles, Mud Lake after 0.6 miles, McIntire Lake at 1.2 miles, Sager Lake after 1.4 miles and Mill Pond at 1.4 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Pickerel Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Allegan County cover alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch, bloater and bluegill. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Pickerel Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 71°F in July and bottom out at 22°F in January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late March. Average temperatures cross freezing around late March in spring and again near mid December in autumn. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. The season on Pickerel Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the carp, bait a margin spot and sit on it; corn and bread still work. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Bass Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. For Pickerel Lake in particular, ask before you travel.