Thorn Lake near Manchester: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  This water sits in Jackson County, Michigan. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. Small at around 9 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Most waters listed here for Jackson County are larger. Manchester lies 4.8 miles from the water. Napoleon is 6.2 miles and Brooklyn 6.5 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Thorn Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name bluegill, largemouth bass and yellow perch. The county list is broader than any single water. Read Thorn Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 22°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice-out usually falls in late March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. The open-water window runs from around late March to about mid December in an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Thorn Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Watkins Lake County Preserve takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Watkins Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Thorn Lake are worth checking on the day.