Whelan Lake Fishing Guide, Mason County, Michigan

• Overview

  Whelan Lake lies within the bounds of Mason County, Michigan. The water sits 627 feet up. This is a pocket water of some 13 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It is low-lying compared with other Michigan water we list. Nearest place of any size is Scottville, 7 miles away. Beyond it, Baldwin at 15 miles and Ludington at 15 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Whelan Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Mason County include rainbow smelt, alewife, bloater and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Whelan Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 21°F to 69°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. Average temperatures cross freezing around early April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. At Whelan Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Saunders Lake sits 1.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Nothing here settles the position at Whelan Lake for certain.