Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at McLaren Lake

In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 40 to 80 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 60 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 72 ft, rated prime for summer cisco (lake herring). Best bite is early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at McLaren Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 35 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 38 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at McLaren Lake

Spring yellow perch on McLaren Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 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. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at McLaren Lake

Spring northern pike on McLaren 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. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at McLaren Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 45 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 21 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at McLaren Lake

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 12 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 21 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is the evening. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

How deep is McLaren Lake?

McLaren Lake is about 85 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in McLaren Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed on McLaren Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on McLaren Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 72 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 McLaren 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.