Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Allen Lake

In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 23 to 75 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 71 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Allen Lake

Spring yellow perch on Allen Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Allen Lake

Spring northern pike on Allen Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Allen Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 12 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Allen Lake

Start shallow in spring: largemouth bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Allen Lake

Spring rock bass on Allen Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. Best bite is the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.

How deep is Allen Lake?

Allen Lake is about 75 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.

What fish are in Allen Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, common carp, longnose gar, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Allen Lake. This isn't a survey of the lake — none is on record for it — but an informed estimate from the species listed for the nearest surveyed lakes in the region, filtered to this lake's depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Allen Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 71 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Allen Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.