Fishing at Puterbaugh Lake, Cass County, Michigan

• Overview

  Puterbaugh Lake falls in Cass County, part of Michigan. Elevation runs to 827 feet. Around 44 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Cassopolis is the closest town at 3.5 miles. Edwardsburg is 6.8 miles and Simonton Lake 7.6 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water. Expect roughly 38 inches of rain across the year, peaking in September.

• Where to Fish on Puterbaugh Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Cass County names bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Puterbaugh Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 72°F and January near 23°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late March. In an average year the thaw lands around late March and the freeze near late December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on Puterbaugh Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Robinson Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Puterbaugh Lake should be assumed from this page alone.