Fishing at Pine Lake, Oakland County, Michigan

• Overview

  Set in Oakland County, Michigan, this is Pine Lake. Everything around it is mixed forest. About 388 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. The shoreline runs about 4.3 miles, so it pays to pick a stretch and stay with it. Size puts it in the front rank of our Oakland County list. Orchard Lake sits 1.1 miles from the bank. Beyond it, Keego Harbor at 1.2 miles and Sylvan Lake at 1.6 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Pine Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Species logged across Oakland County include bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Pine Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 71°F, the coldest about 22°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Once it clears, about late March, the fishing comes on quickly. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late March until roughly mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It holds true on Pine Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. A slipway is marked about half a mile from here. Pine Lake Marina sits half a mile away and handles boats. Mapping shows parking within half a mile. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Moon Lake is 0.7 miles off. Confirm before you fish Pine Lake.