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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.

Water51°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphN
Best bite3:45 pmto 5:15 pm

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

1 0.5 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

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.

  • Good
    Walleye

    Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

  • Good
    Northern pike

    Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.

  • Fair
    Largemouth bass

    Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

  • Good
    Yellow perch

    Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.

  • Slow
    Bluegill 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

  1. 1
    Point drop-off

    The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 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

51°F

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

Friday 40° / —° 10 mph N Mostly Cloudy · 25% rain
Saturday 44° / 25° 10 mph NNW Mostly Cloudy
Sunday 45° / 29° 7 mph NNW Partly Sunny

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.

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