Root Lake Fishing in Grand Traverse County, Michigan

• Overview

  Root Lake sits in Grand Traverse County, out in Michigan. It sits in rolling bush. About 8 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Most waters listed here for Grand Traverse County are larger. Head to Rapid City, 8.1 miles away, for anything you forgot. After that come Kalkaska at 8.8 miles and Elk Rapids at 12 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Root Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Grand Traverse County records list rock bass, yellow perch, white sucker, smallmouth bass and bluegill among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Root Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 20°F in January to roughly 68°F in July. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and mid December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Root Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Sand Lakes at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Root Lake.