What Round Lake Offers Anglers

Round Lake sits just south of Petoskey in Emmet County and is one of the smaller, quieter lakes in the region—roughly 300 acres with an average depth around 20 feet. The lake holds walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass, making it a solid choice if you want to avoid the boat traffic of larger Petoskey-area lakes like Walloon or Burt. The shallow bays warm up quickly in spring, which means early-season walleye fishing can be productive by late April, and pike spawn in the same shallows a few weeks earlier.

What makes Round Lake distinct is how much of it stays under 15 feet deep. That shallow structure means you can work the entire lake from a small boat or even wade the bays in spring and fall. The lake has a public launch on the north end, and the surrounding land is mostly private residential, so you won't find much shoreline access—plan to fish from a boat.

Key Takeaways

  • Round Lake holds walleye, pike, and bass in roughly 300 acres of shallow water averaging 20 feet deep.
  • The public boat launch is on the north end; there is no public shoreline access, so you need a boat to fish effectively.
  • Spring walleye fishing peaks in late April and May in the shallow bays; pike spawn earlier in the same areas.
  • Summer bass fishing works the deeper holes and weed edges; fall walleye fishing returns to the shallows as water cools.

Spring Walleye: Late April Through May

Walleye move into Round Lake's shallow bays to spawn in late April and early May. Fish the north and east bays in 6 to 12 feet of water at dawn and dusk, or on overcast days. Live shiners or small crawfish work well; if you prefer artificials, 3- to 4-inch jerkbaits or crankbaits in natural colors will draw strikes.

The water is still cold—typically 45 to 50 degrees—so work slowly. Walleye are not aggressive yet; they are focused on spawning grounds. Expect the bite to be best in the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. By mid-May, as water temperature climbs past 55 degrees, walleye move to deeper structure and the shallow-bay bite fades.

Northern Pike: March Through April

Pike spawn before walleye, usually in March and early April when water is still in the 40s. They use the same shallow bays and weed growth that walleye will use a few weeks later. Fish larger baits and lures—6-inch shiners, large spinnerbaits, or pike-sized crankbaits—because pike are aggressive hunters even in cold water.

The pike bite is often best right at ice-out or within a week or two after. If you fish Round Lake in early spring, bring pike gear even if walleye is your target. Pike in this lake run 18 to 28 inches on average; a few fish exceed 30 inches. Once water warms past 55 degrees, pike move to deeper holes and weed edges, and the spring shallow-water bite ends.

Summer Bass and Pike in Deeper Water

By June, the shallow bays warm up and lose their appeal for walleye and pike. Largemouth bass move into weed beds and around submerged structure. The deeper holes—Round Lake has a few spots that drop to 35 or 40 feet—hold pike and walleye that have moved off the spawning grounds.

Work the weed edges with soft plastics, spinnerbaits, or topwater early and late in the day. If you want walleye or pike in summer, use live bait or jigs on the deeper structure, or troll crankbaits over the holes. Summer is the slowest season on Round Lake; many anglers move to larger, deeper lakes during this period.

Fall Walleye: September Through October

As water cools in September and October, walleye move back to shallower structure. The bays that were productive in spring come alive again. Fish live bait on jigs in 8 to 15 feet of water, or use small crankbaits and jerkbaits. The bite is often better during the day in fall than it was in spring, because the water is clearer and walleye are feeding heavily before winter.

October is often the best month for both quantity and size. The water is cool but not cold, and walleye are aggressive. By November, as water drops into the 40s, the bite slows again and winter fishing becomes a different game.

Winter and Ice Fishing

Round Lake freezes solid by late December and stays frozen through February. The shallow bays freeze first and thickest; the deeper holes are the last to freeze and the first to open in spring. Ice fishing for walleye and pike is possible, but the shallow nature of the lake means ice conditions can be unpredictable—check with local bait shops before heading out.

Jigging live shiners or small crawfish under the ice works for walleye. Pike are less predictable under ice on a small lake like this. Many anglers skip winter on Round Lake and return when the ice goes out in April.

Boat Launch and Practical Details

The public launch is on the north shore, accessible from Round Lake Road. It is a single-lane concrete ramp with limited parking—arrive early on weekends. The lake has no gas station or rental facility nearby; bring your own boat or rent from a Petoskey-area marina and trailer it in.

Round Lake is a no-wake lake during certain hours (check current rules with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or the Petoskey area chamber of commerce). This makes it quieter than Walloon or Burt, but it also means you cannot run at full speed during peak hours. Respect the rules; enforcement is active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Round Lake from shore?

No. The lake is surrounded by private residential property, and there is no public shoreline access. You must fish from a boat. The public launch on the north end is your only entry point.

What is the best time to fish Round Lake?

Spring (late April through May) for walleye and early spring (March through April) for pike. Fall (September through October) is also productive for walleye. Summer is slow; many anglers fish other lakes during this period.

Do I need a Michigan fishing license?

Yes. All anglers 17 and older must carry a valid Michigan fishing license. You can purchase one online through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website, at bait shops in Petoskey, or at most sporting goods stores.

What size fish can I keep?

Walleye have a 15-inch minimum; pike have a 24-inch minimum. Bass have a 12-inch minimum. Possession limits vary by species; check the current Michigan fishing guide before you fish. Rules change, so verify before your trip.

Is Round Lake crowded?

No. It is smaller and shallower than nearby Walloon or Burt, so it attracts fewer boats. The no-wake rules also keep it quieter. You will see other anglers on weekends, but it is far less crowded than the larger lakes in the Petoskey area.