Van Auken Lake
Van Auken Lake is near Bangor in Van Buren County and drains to the Paw Paw River. It is known for northern pike and a deep basin.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Northern Pike
249 caught in a 2004 DNR survey
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Van Auken Lake boat rampRampState-owned public access at 43890 65th St, Bangor, on the northeast corner.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 Van Auken 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 Van Auken Lake ↗Local tips
- About 136 acres are deeper than 20 feet, so look for pike near the drop-offs.
- Fish weed edges for bass and panfish.
- Check pike size rules in the current fishing guide.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.