Strong Lake in Isabella County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Isabella County end of Michigan holds Strong Lake. Elevation runs to 919 feet. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Start from Lake Isabella, 6.4 miles down the road. Canadian Lakes is 13 miles away, with Evart at 16 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Strong Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Isabella County names johnny darter, white sucker and rainbow darter. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The near bank of Strong Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 19°F to 69°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Strong Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. A made slipway is half a mile from here, which settles the boat question. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Randall Lake is 0.5 miles off. Check the position at Strong Lake before loading the car.