Purdy Lake Fishing Guide, Barry County, Michigan

• Overview

  The Barry County end of Michigan holds Purdy Lake. It lies 866 feet above sea level. Small enough that any disturbance crosses the whole surface. Our Barry County list holds plenty of bigger water. Nearest place of any size is Hastings, 3.3 miles away. Middleville follows at 7.8 miles, then Stony Point at 10 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Purdy Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Barry County cover bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and pink salmon. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The near bank of Purdy Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 22°F in January and 71°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. The open-water window runs from around late March to about mid December in an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Expect Purdy Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Laubaugh Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat Purdy Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.