Arbutus Lake
Arbutus Lake is about 10 miles southeast of Traverse City in Grand Traverse County. It is made of five connected basins and is known for bluegill and bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Bluegill
Once known for large bluegills
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Walleye
Few reported in an old survey
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Arbutus Lake public accessPublicListed as a boat access site. Arbutus Lake State Forest Campground is also nearby. Ramp details not confirmed.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Arbutus Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Arbutus Lake ↗Local tips
- Each of the five basins fishes differently. Basin 2 reaches about 42 feet.
- Look for bluegill in the weeds in the shallower basins.
- The lake has no outlet, so water levels change with weather.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Michigan lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.