Stony Lake near Brooklyn: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Michigan holds Stony Lake, in Jackson County. The surface lies 988 feet up. Roughly 62 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. There is roughly 1.4 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. Brooklyn sits 3.6 miles from the bank. Further out sit Napoleon (6.7 miles) and Manitou Beach-Devils Lake (8.1 miles). The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Stony Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Jackson County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Take Stony Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 22°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Break-up sits around late March on average, with the water closing again about mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Stony Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Part of this sits inside or beside Allen Lake Public Access, so read the notices. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Timber Lake, 0.7 miles out. Treat Stony Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.