Brook Trout fishing at Courtney Lake

Come spring, look for brook trout tight to the bank in 2 to 15 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 3 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 21 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm is the honest summer answer here.

Rainbow Trout fishing at Courtney Lake

When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. Summer is an 8 to 30 ft game here, winter an 8 to 40 ft one. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 21 ft of water and rates prime come winter. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon rigged through the warm months.

Brown Trout fishing at Courtney Lake

The spring pattern is a shallow one: brown trout in 3 to 25 ft. As the season builds they drop to 12 to 41 ft, wintering in 5 to 35 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 21 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for after dark and early morning. Summer baits: a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Courtney Lake

In spring, yellow perch run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 15 to 35 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 21 ft, rated prime for summer yellow perch. Time it for early morning. You won't need more than a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm most summer days.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Courtney Lake

Early season smallmouth bass use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 12 to 41 ft. Put Main-lake point first on the milk run — a point near 10 ft that grades prime for fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Courtney Lake

Spring largemouth bass on Courtney Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. The chart's best answer is Main-lake point — point, 10 ft, prime for fall. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait.

How deep is Courtney Lake?

Courtney Lake is about 41 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.

What fish are in Courtney Lake?

Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, burbot on Courtney 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 Courtney Lake?

Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Courtney Lake?

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

Is Courtney Lake stocked with fish?

Yes — per Michigan DNR fish-stocking database records, Courtney Lake was most recently stocked Dec 19, 2025 with 100 brook trout. The full stocking history is listed above.

What are the fishing regulations for Courtney Lake?

Fishing on Courtney Lake is regulated by the Michigan DNR. Check the official Michigan regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.