Shonenya Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Shonenya Lake sits in Lake County, out in Michigan. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. Surface area runs to about 17 acres — small enough to read in one session. Start from Baldwin, 6.3 miles down the road. It is 63 miles to Grand Rapids, the nearest city. Also worth knowing: Cecilia Lake at 0.6 miles, Rainbow Lake within 0.6 miles, Reed Lake at 0.6 miles, Gifford Lake within 1 mile and Honeymoon Lake at 1 mile. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Shonenya Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Lake County include rainbow trout, brook trout, white sucker and bluegill. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Shonenya Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 69°F, the coldest about 20°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. Ice clears near early April and comes back about mid December in a typical year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Plan around that when you fish Shonenya Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. There is a slipway at Reed Lake Boat Launch, roughly half a mile off. The water borders Reed Lake Boating Access Site, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Cecilia Lake, 0.6 miles away. Signs at Shonenya Lake carry more weight than any list.