Silver Lake Fishing near Traverse City, Michigan

• Overview

  Michigan holds Silver Lake, in Grand Traverse County. The land about it is mixed forest. This is sizeable water at about 620 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. You are looking at roughly 8.2 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. Size puts it in the front rank of our Grand Traverse County list. For a base, Traverse City sits 5.8 miles out. Green Bay is the closest city, 116 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Silver Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name rock bass, yellow perch, white sucker and smallmouth bass. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Silver Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 69°F and January near 20°F on the long-run figures. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at mid December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Plan around that when you fish Silver Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is a slipway at Silver Lake Boat Launch, roughly half a mile off. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Bass Lake, 1.4 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Silver Lake.