Upper Pettibone Lake in Oakland County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Upper Pettibone Lake stands in Oakland County, Michigan. It sits in pine and birch country. At about 48 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Around 1.4 miles of margin, front to back. The nearest place of any size is Milford, 5 miles away. Beyond it, Holly at 8.7 miles and Fenton at 10 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Upper Pettibone Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. 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. Fish documented in Oakland County include bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Upper Pettibone Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 22°F and July at about 71°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near mid December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Upper Pettibone Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Leonard Lake sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Upper Pettibone Lake before loading the car.