Surrey Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Surrey Lake stands in Clare County, Michigan. It lies 955 feet above sea level. Roughly 41 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Roughly 1.5 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. The nearest town is Clare, 7.4 miles away. Harrison is 13 miles away, with Lake Isabella at 15 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Surrey Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public occurrence data for Clare County names bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon and northern pike. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Surrey Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 69°F, with January the cold end at about 19°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early April. The open-water window runs from around early April to about mid December in an average year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Surrey Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Sort the permit out before you load the car. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Deadman Lake, 1.6 miles away. Ask locally about Surrey Lake if anything is unclear.