Prior Lake Fishing near West Branch, Michigan

• Overview

  Set in Ogemaw County, Michigan, this is Prior Lake. The bank gives way to rolling bush. This is a tiny water, and one quiet approach covers all of it. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Ogemaw County. Start from West Branch, 2.5 miles down the road. Then Saint Helen, 9.1 miles, and Skidway Lake, 14 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Prior Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Ogemaw County names bluegill, rock bass, pink salmon and largemouth bass. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Treat Prior Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 17°F to 67°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. The season between ice runs from about mid April to early December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Prior Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. 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. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Sidney Lake is 0.9 miles distant. Confirm access to Prior Lake locally before you travel.