Otsego Lake
Otsego Lake is a shallow natural glacial lake about 3 miles south of Gaylord in Otsego County, with roughly 85 percent of its area shallower than 15 feet. It supports Walleye, Northern Pike, bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch, and has a state park on its shore.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Excellent numbers across age groups per MI DNR
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Otsego Lake State Park launchPublicHard-surface ramp; Recreation Passport requiredDirections ↗
- Otsego Lake County Park launchPublicHard-surface ramp; entrance feeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Sturgeon Season July 16 - March 15 | 50" | 1 per year |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Grumpy's Corner StoreNearbyGaylord989-732-8664Directions ↗
Local tips
- The lake is shallow (max 23 ft), so weedy and shallow structure holds fish.
- Lake Sturgeon season is July 16 - March 15 with a 50-inch minimum.
- Two public campground launches serve the lake.
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.