Turnbull Lake Fishing in Mecosta County, Michigan

• Overview

  Within Mecosta County, Michigan, you have Turnbull Lake. The country round it is mixed forest from end to end. At about 27 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Big Rapids lies 5.2 miles from the water. Reed City lies 13 miles off, White Cloud another 14 miles. Not far off: Mud Lake at 0.9 miles, Hungerford Lake within 1.5 miles, Toogood Lake at 2.3 miles, Bisel Lake within 4.6 miles and Cole Lake at 5.3 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Turnbull Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Mecosta County: bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass, black crappie and northern pike. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Anyone new to Turnbull Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 68°F; the cold one sits at 19°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Break-up near early April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Turnbull Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Mud Lake, 0.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Turnbull Lake before loading the car.