Orchard Lake Access

[showags]

Thinking of trying this lake this weekend. Having never been there, what/where does it have for access? Which would you recommend? Any hints on what are biting?

Thanks

Nick

[CAMAN]

Haven't been there yet this ice season, drove by the other day and it wasa ghost-town, but you will have 3 accesses to choose from. 1st is the public landing on the south side of the lake where you can drive on. Second will be the swimming beach on the west side, and third is the small park in the northeast corner. Not easy to miss any of them since there is only one road that encircles the entire lake and if the ice isn't good enough to drive on (careful, there are springs in a few places) you will have quite a hike to most fishing spots from anywhere you choose to get on from. Good luck!

[Tator2k]

Yeah, depth is only around 5' any where near the landings and most shore. You'll need a map or GPS to find the nice drop offs and be prepared for a hike. I fish it with the kids all summer, so when they've asked to go out there I kinda blew them off so far because of the hike.

[fishdaddy]

When I walk out there I park at the park on the northeast side. It is a hike but to bad. I fish for crappies between the two reed islands 20-28. Looking at a map there is point on the east side, west of that is the northern most reed island, south of that one is another. Not sure if the reeds are sticking through the ice, if not it's a little harder to tell where you are. In that triangle is a good place to poke around and find some fish.

Good luck!