Tanner Lake, Michigan: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Tanner Lake in the Barry County part of Michigan. The surface lies 886 feet up. The water measures roughly 14 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Start from Hastings, 3.5 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Grand Rapids, 30 miles away. Within a short drive: Tillotson Lake 0.9 miles, 1.2 miles away is Podunk Lake, Myers Lake 1.6 miles, 1.7 miles away is Newton Lake and Lily Lake 2.1 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Tanner Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Survey and observation records for Barry County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Tanner Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 71°F, the coldest about 22°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. At Tanner Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Tillotson Lake is 0.9 miles off. Treat access at Tanner Lake as something to verify.