Spider Lake Fishing Overview
contribution and photos by Matt Bach, lake enthusiast
Spider Lake is a 450-acre all-sports lake located in Traverse City, Michigan. This is a relatively clear lake with a max depth of 38 feet, and a bottom composition of primarily sand. Spider is a unique lake as it has no natural inlet or outlet, but is instead fed by underwater springs. This is a former glacier lake so vegetation is present, but limited.
Fish species include Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Yellow Bullhead, Warmouth, Blue Gill, and Pumpkinseed. Primary bait fish include Blackshin Shiners, Bluntnose Minnows, and Johnny Darters.
Fishing on Spider can be equally rewarding, as it is frustrating. I would rate this lake as intermediate in terms of difficulty, mainly due to clear water and lack of good structure. Main lake fish will actually use contour drop offs as their safe havens, which adds another dimension in your search. Suggested fishing times are 7am to 11am prior to high speed boating hours, as well as the last few hours leading up to sunset.
As far as some quick history on the lake, for years the Michigan DNR received complaints about lack of Bass Size. In 2002/2005 the DNR Stocked 1,400 Northern Pike to introduce a predator species to thin out the undersized Bass. They believed the Northern would improve these size concerns, and also believed the Pike would be unable to reproduce and phase out of the system; they were wrong. One of the first things you’ll notice these days on Spider is the Pike:Bass ratio is pretty close to 50:50. Due to Pike’s aggressive behaviors, you will actually feel that the Northern now dominate the lake; steel leaders are highly recommended to prevent bite offs. As far as improving the Bass size, that part of the experiment worked out.
Size issues were not always the case. In the 1950’s-Early 70’s, big Largemouth and Smallmouth were plentiful. Also, in the late 50’s, Musky were stocked here and would really put Spider Lake on the map. A few 40+ fish were confirmed in that era. Unfortunately, these fish were unable to successfully spawn, and would phase out of the system around 1970.
TIME OF THE YEAR
SPRING
At the time of ice out, Pike will be in the shallows spawning, and the Bass will follow not far behind, usually by mid-May. The name of the game this time of year is staying shallow, targeting water 3-15ft, which allows you to eliminate almost half the lake as far as target locations. Arms and bays on the lake are good starting points, but also search around the Islands and look for bottom hardness transitions. Vegetation this time of year will almost be non existent, so fish will suspend a lot and stay on the move. Slower techniques are suggested this time of year such as throwing soft plastics, jerkbaits, or slow rolling spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Micro jigs do exceptionally well when the lake gets through Spring Turnover. If you want to catch a Smallie, May is your best bet of the year during pre-spawn.
SUMMER
Fish will be present in both the shallows and deep, so you’ll have options. Staying away from boat traffic will keep you around active fish. If you are targeting Bass, I would suggest fishing in the bays/arms of the lake, or around islands in shallow water. Drop shot is effective for Bass, but be warned that Pike will eat this just as fast. Chatterbaits and Spinnerbaits are staples this time of year for both species, and do best when finding vegetation and using ripping techniques. The main Lake deeper water is excellent for Pike fishing, but stay above the thermocline. Deep water flats will hold Largemouth. If you enjoy the toothy fish, pull out a crankbait or give trolling a try. 3.5 MPH is a good trolling speed, while 10-24ft is a good starting point for your search. If you want numbers, stay shallow. If you are searching for a trophy, get out to the main lake. For those targeting pan fish, Gills/Pumpkinseed can easily be caught around docks with small worm/bobber.
FALL
Find the bait, and the gamefish will not be far behind. With the thermocline breaking down, fish can now be comfortable anywhere in the lake so it is more difficult to locate active fish. All options are available for lure/depth, but slowing down techniques again is recommended. Jerkbaits are a great option, as well as Yo-Yo’ing Lipless Crankbaits for Pike. Trolling will still be productive, but slow things down to a hair over 3 mph. This can be a rewarding time when a lunker is gorging, but it’s also the time of year that one big cold front can also really shut the lake down for a couple days.
Recap
Overall, Spider is an average fishery on the rise, with some potential. At one time, Spider was the go-to lake in the area, but that was decades ago and things have changed. What to expect? Most likely a 1 gamefish per hour catch ratio during prime times, with a tougher afternoon bite. Let the wind tell you how fast to fish, as bright colors and aggressive techniques really perform well when wind is 10-15 mph. Slow things down to finesse techniques with natural colors when the Lake is calm. Regulars will fall in love with the lake, but it’s not yet a fishery that diehard anglers will specifically make a special trip to. A fun lake to fish recreationally for sure!
LARGEMOUTH BASS
Fishing is overall good these days. Size issues seem to have corrected itself, and your average fish here is a healthy 2-4lbs. All bass fishing techniques will work out here, starting with plastics; Drop Shot will produce numbers. When shifting into moving baits, nothing beats a Spinnerbait. Chatterbaits do well on windy days. Don’t be afraid to try top water in the shallows during prime feeding hours, and nothing beats a good Buzz Bait or Zara Spook. Chartreuse and Blue’s are good starting colors.
Overall I am pretty happy with quality and numbers here, but if you are looking for 5lb+ fish, this isn’t a lake with a ton of them. The main issue when targeting Bass, is keeping Pike off your line. 14ft of water is a magic number out here.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Lack numbers, so not the easiest to find or catch. Compared to other Michigan waters, Smallmouth fishing is below average. The fish that can be caught though are a healthy 2-4lbs, and can usually be found in the shallows in Spring. Keep your expectations here minimal though, as it could take you several weeks to find one.
Smallies typically prefer smaller meals, so keep lure sizes small, Plastics/Jerkbaits/Tubes will give you a good starting point. Live bait worms were the go-to with Smallies when they were more plentiful in the 1960’s. Search for where sand meets pebble rock.
NORTHERN PIKE
Over populated causing potential growth stunt. One of the easiest species to catch on Spider, but the average fish is 18-24”, so it’s hard to get through the hammer handles. Legal size fish start at 24”, so you’ll have to grind a bit if you’re planning on catching dinner.
Monsters do exist though, and 35”-40” fish are present, but extremely rare and shouldn’t be expected regularly. Most of those fish come through hard water. Red is a color that fires them up, and don’t be afraid of throwing bigger baits.
All Bass tactics work on Pike, and vibration lures perform well. Most fish will be hugging the bottom near vegetation, so bottom contact will often wake them up. Small Pike will stay in the shallows year round, while the trophy’s prefer to suspend alone over deep water.
CRAPPIE/PERCH
At one point a decade ago, Michigan biologists claimed Spider to be one of the best Crappie lakes in Northern Michigan. These days? While I don’t target them, you won’t see a lot of these reports anymore to back this up. Stay close to the shore, and look for fallen trees. The backside of the most Northernly island appears to be your best bet at numbers.