Walloon Lake Fishing in Charlevoix County, Michigan

• Overview

  Walloon Lake is listed under Charlevoix County, Michigan. It stands 679 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to some 7.2 sq miles, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. Around 29 miles of margin, so directions matter more than a general plan. Size puts it in the front rank of our Charlevoix County list. Head to Boyne City, 4 miles away, for anything you forgot. It is 157 miles to Green Bay, the nearest city. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Walloon Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name rainbow smelt, alewife and shortjaw cisco. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Walloon Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 68°F and January near 19°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly mid December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Walloon Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Part of this sits inside or beside Covert Nature Preserve, so read the notices. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Mud Lake is 1.2 miles distant. Where Walloon Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.