Cass Lake

Overview

Cass Lake is a 1,280-acre natural lake in central Oakland County, a few miles southwest of Pontiac, and the largest and deepest lake in Michigan DNR's Lake Erie Management Unit. Its four basins reach 121 feet in the main body, yet almost 40 percent of the lake is less than 10 feet deep. The Clinton River enters from the northwest and leaves to the northeast toward Otter Lake. DNR's 2020 report describes a diverse fish community and a quality fishery. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are the most targeted species, bluegill are the most harvested, and black crappie, rock bass and pumpkinseed round out the panfish. Walleye grow faster than the state average and are maintained by stocking because natural reproduction is inadequate. Northern pike draw much of the ice fishing effort. The state-threatened cisco persists in the cold, deep water. Public access is at Dodge #4 State Park, with a concrete launch, two fishing piers and a mile of shoreline, and at Marshbank Park in West Bloomfield, with a kayak and canoe launch and a fishing pier. Public boat access follows state park hours.

Regulations

Check the current Michigan Fishing Regulations before you fish: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations

Stocking history

Likely species (watershed)

American Brook Lamprey, Black Redhorse, Blacknose Dace, Blacknose Shiner, Bluntnose Minnow, Brassy Minnow, Brown Trout, Channel Darter, Chestnut Lamprey, Creek Chub, Emerald Shiner, Fantail Darter, Fathead Minnow, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Grass Carp, Greenside Darter, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Lake Chubsucker, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, Muskellunge, Ninespine Stickleback, Northern Redbelly Dace, Rainbow Darter, Redfin Shiner, River Chub, Rosyface Shiner

Likely species come from USGS Aquatic GAP ranges for the whole watershed (HUC8). They show what may be here, not a count of this water.

Nearby waters

• Pontiac Lake6.3 miles · MI
• Maceday Lake6.6 miles · MI
• White Lake10.9 miles · MI
• Big Lake11 miles · MI
• Paint Creek13 miles · MI
• Spring Mill Pond19.9 miles · MI

More in Oakland

• Clinton RiverMI
• Pontiac LakeMI
• Kearsley CreekMI
• Maceday LakeMI
• Paint CreekMI
• Shiawassee RiverMI