Fishing West Wind Lake in Oakland County, Michigan

• Overview

  West Wind Lake stands in Oakland County, Michigan. It stands 961 feet above sea level. Small at around 23 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Holly is the closest place, 3.3 miles off. It is 32 miles to Sterling Heights, the nearest city. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork. The far side sees far fewer people than the near one.

• Where to Fish on West Wind Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At West Wind Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 70°F and January about 22°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early April. From about early April to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It sets the rhythm of the year at West Wind Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. There is a mapped landing stage half a mile away. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Kelly Lake, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on West Wind Lake is worth confirming on the day.