Pickerel Lake Fishing in Oakland County, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Pickerel Lake, in Oakland County. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. At roughly 8 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Oakland County standards. The closest town, Milford, is 2.9 miles distant. Then Wixom, 8.5 miles, and Wolverine Lake, 8.8 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Pickerel Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Oakland County include bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch and rock bass. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The near bank of Pickerel Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 71°F and January near 22°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. After early April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Average temperatures cross freezing around early April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Pickerel Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Lower Pettibone Lake at 0.7 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Pickerel Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.