Susan Lake

If you are getting ready to fish Susan Lake, keep the first plan simple. This lake is in Charlevoix County. It covers about 127.4 acres. The deepest recorded spot is 15 feet. On a first trip, I would use the wind, water color, visible cover, and any signs of bait to decide where to spend time on Susan Lake.

Fishing at Susan Lake

A shallow basin changes fast. Wind, cloud cover, bright sun, and healthy vegetation can move the most comfortable water in a matter of hours.

Early-season fish often slide between shallow spawning areas and the nearest break. By midsummer, low light and stable cover matter more. Autumn is a good time to revisit points and weed edges as forage moves.

My first pass would stay simple. Fish one shallow target, one transition, and one deeper edge. Change only one variable at a time, such as speed, profile, color, or running depth. When a bite comes, you will know which adjustment mattered.

About This Water

The available profile for Susan Lake in Charlevoix County estimates vegetation coverage around 8.3 percent. That matters because plant cover can shape where baitfish, panfish, bass, and northern pike spend much of the growing season.

Fish Species

The current record for Susan Lake in Charlevoix County lists Black Crappie, Blacknose Shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brown Bullhead, Central Mudminnow, Common Shiner, Iowa Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Western Banded Killifish, and Yellow Perch. That is a starting point, not a promise that every species is common in every season or every part of the basin. For largemouth bass, compare shallow cover with the first firm edge before assuming the fish moved deep. A small jig is a clean way to locate the active panfish depth. For larger predators, cover water methodically around outside weed edges, points, and concentrations of forage.

A balanced rod and line make bites easier to detect and reduce unnecessary fight time. Have pliers ready before the fish reaches you, and return released fish promptly rather than sorting out equipment afterward.

How I Would Fish It

• Start with the wind. A light push can collect plankton and bait, while a hard blow may make exact presentations difficult.
• Fish a change. Weed-to-rock, wood-to-open bottom, shade-to-sun, inflow seams, points, and the first drop usually beat featureless water.
• Cover the water column. Carry one presentation for the top, one for the middle, and one that can stay close to bottom.
• Let clarity choose the look. Clear water often calls for longer casts and natural colors. Stained water usually favors contrast, vibration, or a larger profile.
• Keep useful notes. Wind direction, temperature, productive depth, and the exact cover holding fish are worth remembering.

Do not get stubborn about yesterday's pattern. If a place shows no bites, followers, bait, or other signs of life after a fair test, move, change depth, or show the fish something different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start fishing?

Choose a point, weed edge, or channel turn that connects shallow and deeper water. It gives fish several options and lets you test more than one depth efficiently.

When should I change spots?

If Susan Lake is not showing bait, bites, followers, or healthy cover after a fair try, change depth or move to a different type of water. Do not stay put only because the spot looks good.

What should I check before the trip?

Confirm current size and possession rules, examine the weather window, and note whether rising or falling water may affect cover and current. Old trip reports cannot replace those checks.