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Michigan · Fishing
Mansfield Township sits in the lake-dotted interior of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and its fishing options are straightforward: three lakes, all suited to the kind of relaxed, productive day that doesn't require a long drive or a guide service.
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Mansfield Township sits in the lake-dotted interior of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and its fishing options are straightforward: three lakes, all suited to the kind of relaxed, productive day that doesn't require a long drive or a guide service. Lake Wallace, Holmes Lake, and Crotch Lake are all lake-fishing destinations, which means you're working the shoreline structure, drop-offs, and weed edges that Michigan inland lakes are known for. Expect the typical warm-water mix you find across this part of the state — largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, and likely northern pike depending on the individual lake's depth and vegetation. None of these waters appear on a gold-medal or wild-trout designation, so this isn't a destination for serious trout anglers, but for anyone who wants a quiet morning with a spinning rod or a family outing with kids learning to fish, the area delivers without a lot of fuss. Access points and boat-launch conditions vary by lake, so it's worth calling the Osceola County road commission or checking the Michigan DNR's online access site map before you load up the trailer. A valid Michigan fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older.
All three are inland Michigan lakes, so the most likely catches are largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and northern pike. Crappie show up in many lakes of this type as well. None of these waters carry a trout or salmon designation, so plan your gear accordingly.
Shore fishing is possible at Michigan inland lakes, but access quality varies a lot depending on vegetation, private property, and how developed the shoreline is. A small kayak, canoe, or car-top boat opens up significantly more water and lets you work the weed edges and drop-offs where bass and pike hold. Check the Michigan DNR's boat launch finder for confirmed public access points on each lake before you go.
Lost Lake Campground
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Lake Wallace
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Lost Lake Cabins
~48 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Crotch Lake
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Morgan Lake Campground And Group Site
~56 min drive
A worthwhile stop near WI.
Holmes Lake
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Sawyer Lake
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Hope Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Section Eleven Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Twin Lakes
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Mino-kwezenhs zaagigan
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Mud Lake
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MI.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for bass and pike in warm-water lakes like these. Bluegill and perch tend to bite more steadily throughout the day, especially near submerged structure. Midday in summer is the slowest period, particularly when surface temperatures are high.
A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations well — topwater lures and soft plastics for bass, small jigs and live worms for panfish, and larger spoons or swimbaits if you're targeting pike. Bring a net, a pair of needle-nose pliers for hook removal, and a cooler if you plan to keep fish. A Michigan inland lake fishing license is required and can be purchased online through the DNR.
Yes, lake fishing for panfish like bluegill and perch is one of the more beginner-friendly setups you'll find anywhere, and Michigan inland lakes are well suited to it. Kids can get bites relatively quickly using a simple bobber-and-worm rig near docks or weed edges. Just make sure everyone in the boat has a properly fitted life jacket, which is required by law for children under 13 in Michigan.
