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Rating depth structure for largemouth bass.
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22-acre lake near Newaygo County. The lake tops out around 35 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
Highbank Lake maps at 19 acres behind 0.9 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.4) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. About 55% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. The basin spans about 0.3 mi end to end and 0.2 mi across at its widest. Newaygo County claims this one. Amaung Lake sits 0 mi east — the closest neighbouring chart.
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 14 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.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
When the water first warms, rainbow trout slide up into 5 to 20 ft. Summer is an 8 to 30 ft game here, winter a 7 to 35 ft one. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 14 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.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (6 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 7 to 35 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: brown trout in 3 to 25 ft. As the season builds they drop to 11 to 35 ft, wintering in 5 to 35 ft. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 14 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.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 11 to 35 ft | night & dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Secondary point (6 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Early season chinook salmon use the shallows, holding in 4 to 35 ft. Even in summer they hold at 11 to 35 ft; winter keeps them in 11 to 35 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 35 ft, prime for summer. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a flasher + fly (green/white) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | Trolled spoon (orange/gold), Stickbait off planer boards |
| Summer | 11 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Flasher + fly (green/white), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 7 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (14 ft) | J-plug (glow), Flasher + fly |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Small spoon on a slow troll, Stickbait deep |
Spring coho salmon on Highbank Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 25 ft. By summer they slide out to 11 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 11 to 35 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 35 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a dodger + fly or a medium spoon above the thermocline.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (4 ft) | Small orange dodger + peanut fly, Thin spoon (orange/silver) |
| Summer | 11 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (35 ft) | Dodger + fly, Medium spoon above the thermocline |
| Fall | 7 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Secondary point (6 ft) | Casting spoon, Spinner (chartreuse) |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Small spoon, slow troll |
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. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 35 ft, rated prime for fall 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.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | open water | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (14 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (35 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (35 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
Highbank Lake also holds northern pike (8 to 20 ft in summer), smallmouth bass (10 to 30 ft in summer), largemouth bass (8 to 20 ft in summer), rock bass (5 to 20 ft in summer), bluegill (4 to 15 ft in summer), pumpkinseed (2 to 10 ft in summer), brown bullhead (3 to 12 ft in summer), burbot (11 to 35 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Count 4 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 35 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Michigan waters are set by the Michigan DNR — and special regulations can apply to Highbank Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Michigan fishing regulations →
Highbank Lake is about 35 ft (11 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.
Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, chinook salmon, coho salmon, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, burbot on Highbank 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.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 35 ft of water that rates prime for chinook salmon in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
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.
Fishing on Highbank 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.
Amaung Lake 0 mi · Bitely Lake 2 mi · Pickerel Lake 3 mi · Nichols Lake 3 mi · Lilley Lake 4 mi · Pettibone Lake 4 mi · Woodland Lake 5 mi · Little Lake Number One 5 mi · Big Star Lake 5 mi · Cecilia Lake 6 mi · Gifford Lake 7 mi · Benton Lake 7 mi
See how Highbank Lake stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Michigan · best smallmouth bass lakes in Michigan · best northern pike lakes in Michigan · best bluegill lakes in Michigan
More water nearby: Newaygo County fishing maps (28 charts). Browse all Michigan fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.