West Trout Lake Fishing Guide, Clare County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for West Trout Lake in the Clare County part of Michigan. It sits at 922 feet above sea level. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Clare County standards. Harrison lies 6.3 miles from the water. Grand Rapids sits 80 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on West Trout 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. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Clare County include bluegill, largemouth bass, pink salmon, northern pike and black crappie. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Anyone new to West Trout Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 19°F to 68°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly early April. Break-up near early April, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. At West Trout Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Lake Enola sits 1.1 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to West Trout Lake locally before you travel.