Spring Lake near Clinton: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Out in Lenawee County, Michigan, sits Spring Lake. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. Surface area runs to about 4 acres — small enough to read in one session. It is a small entry by Lenawee County standards. Supplies mean a trip to Clinton, 5.6 miles off. Ann Arbor is the closest city, 23 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Spring Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Spring Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 71°F, the coldest about 22°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Ice usually gives way near late March, and forms again about mid December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Time your trip to Spring Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Reynolds Lake at 0.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Spring Lake before loading the car.