Fishing Baker Lake

Baker Lake is a 68-acre warmwater fishery dominated by bluegills that make up nearly three-quarters of the fish population. Bluegill fishing is consistent with moderate fyke net catch rates of 52 fish per lift, but expect smaller fish due to high densities causing slower growth rates. The lake thermally stratifies with good dissolved oxygen down to 17 feet, making the shallow areas under 10 feet (72% of the lake) the primary fishing zone. Largemouth bass fishing is average for southwest Michigan with electrofishing rates of 1.23 fish per minute, though bass grow slowly and don't reach the 14-inch legal size until their seventh year instead of the typical sixth year. Black crappie are limited by inconsistent reproduction and most fish fall in the 5.5 to 7-inch range. Yellow perch are scarce, comprising less than 2% of the catch, with most fish in the 7 to 8.9-inch range and none over 9 inches captured. The lake holds three species of greatest conservation need including spotted gar, lake chubsucker, and grass pickerel. Organic soils dominate the littoral zone substrate, and the lake's eutrophic conditions with high algal biomass reflect its warm, productive nature. The no-wake regulation and undeveloped shoreline surrounded by over 22,000 acres of public land create a natural, scenic fishing environment. Historical records show this fish community composition has remained remarkably stable since 1936, with centrarchid species continuing to dominate the fishery.