Fishing Cub Lake

Cub Lake stands out for its exceptional redear sunfish population - the best panfish fishery here with 86% of redear over 6 inches and seven fish over 10 inches caught in the 2021 survey. The redear, originally stocked in 1985 and 1989, have thrived through natural reproduction and now dominate the panfish community. Bluegills earn an 'Excellent' Schneider Index rating of 6.4, with 99% of trap net catch over 6 inches and growth rates 0.2 inches above state average. Both redear and bluegills show remarkable longevity with 11 consecutive year classes present, indicating consistent reproduction and low mortality rates of just 29-30% annually. The lake's marl and sand substrate in shallow areas provides ideal habitat for these shell-cracking redear. Largemouth bass grow slowly at 1.2 inches below state average, typical for southeast Michigan, but the population maintains good density with consistent recruitment through age 7. Only 1.8% of bass exceed the 14-inch minimum, though fish can reach impressive sizes up to 20.5 inches with age. Yellow perch average nearly 8 inches with catch rates above regional averages, while black crappie remain scarce but grow well at 0.7 inches above average. The lake stratifies with suitable dissolved oxygen down to 19 feet, concentrating fish in the upper water column during summer. Bottom composition shifts from marl and sand in shallows to fibrous peat in deeper areas, with 26 aquatic plant species providing excellent habitat structure. Water clarity averages 16 feet Secchi depth in this 69-acre basin reaching 43 feet deep. The diverse forage base includes massive schools of mimic shiners plus multiple minnow species supporting the predator community. Natural shoreline covers two-thirds of the perimeter with minimal development pressure, contributing to the lake's high water quality and fish habitat value.