Fishing at Thunder Lake, Iosco County, Michigan

• Overview

  In Michigan, Thunder Lake belongs to Iosco County. The setting is rolling bush on every side. At 12 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. On size it sits at the modest end of our Iosco County list. For a base, Sand Lake sits 12 miles out. Lansing sits 119 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Thunder Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Across Iosco County, recorded fish include rock bass, bluegill, pink salmon and largemouth bass. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The shape of Thunder Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 68°F and January near 18°F on the long-run figures. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about mid December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Thunder Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. La Barge Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Thunder Lake.