Williams Lake Fishing in Mason County, Michigan

• Overview

  Look for Williams Lake in the Mason County part of Michigan. The surface lies 712 feet up. Small at around 15 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Scottville, is 9.1 miles away. Grand Rapids sits 80 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Near neighbours: Alma Lake at 1.1 miles, Grass Lake out at 1.3 miles, Lake Two at 1.4 miles, Chancellor Lake out at 1.4 miles and Edging Lake at 1.4 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Williams Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Survey and observation records for Mason County include rainbow smelt, alewife, bloater, yellow perch and johnny darter. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. At Williams Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 69°F and January near 21°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about early April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about mid December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Time your trip to Williams Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Alma Lake at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Williams Lake are worth checking on the day.