Riley Lake Fishing in Lapeer County, Michigan

• Overview

  Lapeer County in Michigan is where Riley Lake sits. It lies 899 feet above sea level. It covers about 10 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The town to know is Goodrich, 5.5 miles out. For a city, Sterling Heights is 30 miles off. Close by you also have: Koester Lakes after 1.4 miles, Baily Lake sits 1.9 miles out, Bunnel Lake after 1.9 miles, Hemingway Lake sits 1.9 miles out and Brigham Lake after 2.2 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Riley Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Open biodiversity records for Lapeer County list bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon and black crappie. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Riley Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 21°F in January up to 70°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Riley Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Failing this one, try Koester Lakes, 1.4 miles away. The position on Riley Lake is worth confirming on the day.