Stevenson Lake near Clare: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Stevenson Lake falls in Isabella County, part of Michigan. It stands 840 feet above sea level. Roughly 120 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. The outline measures near 3.3 miles, so local knowledge counts. Few waters listed in Isabella County are bigger. Start from Clare, 4.8 miles down the road. Mount Pleasant is 12 miles and Coleman 12 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Stevenson Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Survey and observation records for Isabella County include johnny darter, white sucker, rainbow darter, rock bass and bluegill. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Fish Stevenson Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 69°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Stevenson Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. Mapping marks this water as fished, so there is at least an established use. There is a slipway at Stevenson Lake Boat Launch, roughly half a mile off. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Denton Lake sits 1.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Stevenson Lake before loading the car.