Fishing at Third Lake, Hillsdale County, Michigan

• Overview

  The Hillsdale County entry here is Third Lake, in Michigan. The water sits 1,089 feet up. With some 40 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Supplies mean a trip to Hillsdale, 2.7 miles off. Beyond it, Jonesville at 7.3 miles and Reading at 8.8 miles. Near neighbours include: Fourth Lake after 0.4 miles, Baw Beese Lake (0.7 miles), Boot Lake after 0.7 miles, Pleasant Lake (1.6 miles) and Twin Lake after 2.2 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Third Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Fish documented in Hillsdale County include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch and black crappie. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Third Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 71°F and January near 21°F on the long-run figures. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late March. On average, late March opens the water and mid December closes it again. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It holds true on Third Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Lakeshore Marine sits half a mile off, with launching and moorings. There is a pier recorded roughly half a mile away. There is a recorded fishing site some half a mile from here. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Fourth Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Third Lake should be assumed from this page alone.