Fishing Lake Ferdelman

Lake Ferdelman offers a balanced warm-water fishery dominated by bluegill and largemouth bass, despite decades of failed attempts to establish a trout fishery. Bluegill are the most abundant panfish with good numbers in the 6-8 inch range, though very few exceed 9 inches and it takes about 8 years for them to reach the preferred 8-inch size. Growth is slightly below average (-0.2 index) but consistent recruitment across ten year classes indicates a stable population. Largemouth bass serve as the primary predator, making up 40% of the fish biomass despite representing only 7% by number. However, bass growth is well below average (-1.4 index) and few reach the 14-inch legal size, with most fish ranging 2-16 inches across nine age classes. The lake's substrate is mostly marl with some sand and pulpy peat, and nearly half the 33-acre lake is less than 5 feet deep with high water clarity. Yellow perch, once abundant and reaching up to 14 inches with excellent growth in the late 1980s, were notably scarce in the 2008 survey with only small fish present. Other panfish including rock bass, black crappie, and pumpkinseed are much less common than in past decades. The lake's naturally limited productivity due to low alkalinity (around 100ppm) and cool-water conditions typical of northern Michigan directly affects fish production and growth rates. Dissolved oxygen remains adequate throughout the 29-foot maximum depth. This 75% state-owned lake has minimal development and light fishing pressure, with an unimproved access allowing parking for about 4 trailers.