Yonkers Lake near Traverse City: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  You will find Yonkers Lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Elevation runs to 843 feet. Traverse City at 8.3 miles is the nearest place to stop. Then Greilickville, 9.1 miles, and Kingsley, 10 miles. Not far off: Saunders Lake some 1.1 miles off, Ellis Lake just 1.7 miles, Cox Pond some 1.8 miles off, Bass Lake just 1.9 miles and Tonawanda Lake some 2.1 miles off. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Yonkers Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Grand Traverse County include rock bass, yellow perch, white sucker and smallmouth bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Yonkers Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 68°F and January reads 20°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about mid December in an average year. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Yonkers Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Saunders Lake, 1.1 miles away. Rules at Yonkers Lake are worth checking on the day.