Fishing Turtle Lake in Calhoun County, Michigan

• Overview

  Turtle Lake is one of the Calhoun County listings for Michigan. The surface lies 896 feet up. Around 125 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. At about 5.1 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. It is among the larger waters listed here for Calhoun County. Supplies mean a trip to Union City, 2.7 miles off. After that come Athens at 5.7 miles and Coldwater at 13 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Turtle Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Survey and observation records for Calhoun County include bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Turtle Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 71°F and January at 22°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. Open water usually runs from late March until about mid December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Turtle Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is a launch about 110 yards from the bank. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Union Lake is 4.6 miles distant. Rules at Turtle Lake are worth checking on the day.