Pine Lake Fishing Guide, Mecosta County, Michigan

• Overview

  This water sits in Mecosta County, Michigan. The land about it is rolling bush. At roughly 20 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Canadian Lakes, 8 miles down the road. For a city, Grand Rapids is 50 miles off. Water in the same corner: Meeker Lake after 1.3 miles, Schoner Lake lies 1.4 miles on, Harris Lake after 1.4 miles, Fourth Lake lies 1.6 miles on and Third Lake after 1.7 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Pine Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Open biodiversity records for Mecosta County list bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass, black crappie and northern pike. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Pine Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 69°F in July and bottom out at 20°F in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Pine Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Parking is not close: half a mile from the bank, and no nearer option is mapped. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Meeker Lake, 1.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. None of that is settled for Pine Lake in what we hold.