The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Center Lake
Jackson County, Michigan · about 890 acres (1.4 sq mi)
51°F water, calm this afternoon.
About Center Lake
In Jackson County, Michigan, Center Lake covers about 890 acres.
It stretches about 2.5 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 14.5 miles. The water sits about 940 ft above sea level. Michigan Center sits right on the water. Ann Arbor, the nearest city, is about 28 miles east.
- Size
- About 890 acres (1.4 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 14.5 miles
- End to end
- About 2.5 miles
- Elevation
- About 940 ft
- County
- Jackson County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise
- 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise · wind 7 mph
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Expect the usual Michigan mix for a lake this size: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 51°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:25 am · sunset 5:17 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Center Lake
- Michigan Centeron the shore
- Napoleonabout 2.8 mi southeast
- Vandercook Lakeabout 3.5 mi west
- Jacksonabout 4 mi northwest
- Ann Arbornearest city, about 28 mi east
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Questions about Center Lake
What fish are in Center Lake?
Lakes like Center Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Center Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Center Lake?
About 890 acres, with about 14.5 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Center Lake?
Michigan Center is on the shore; Napoleon is about 2.8 miles southeast.
What is the water temperature at Center Lake today?
The surface was about 51°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Center Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.