Van Auken Lake in Van Buren County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Van Auken Lake in Van Buren County, Michigan. The surface lies 643 feet up. About 253 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. Shoreline comes to about 2.5 miles, small enough to learn in a day. Few waters listed in Van Buren County are bigger. Supplies mean a trip to Hartford, 3.4 miles off. After that come Paw Paw Lake at 5.3 miles and Bangor at 5.4 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Van Auken Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Van Buren County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, pink salmon and black crappie. The county list is broader than any single water. At Van Auken Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 24°F in January up to 71°F in July. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. On average, late March opens the water and late December closes it again. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Van Auken Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. A boat ramp sits half a mile away, so trailered boats can get on. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Sassafras Lake, 1.1 miles out. Treat Van Auken Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.