Fishing at Stony Lake, Jackson County, Michigan

• Overview

  Out in Jackson County, Michigan, sits Stony Lake. Elevation runs to 951 feet. Surface area is around 225 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. There is roughly 3.3 miles of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. It is among the larger waters listed here for Jackson County. 1.9 miles away sits Napoleon, the nearest town. The big place round here is Ann Arbor, 29 miles distant. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Stony Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Stony Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 71°F on average, January about 22°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter locks it down, and late March brings it back. Ice usually gives way near late March, and forms again about mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That shapes the year on Stony Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Mud Lake is 1.3 miles off. Check the position on Stony Lake before loading the car.