Hubbard Lake

[DannyFS213]

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum! Looks like I will be spending a lot of time here! :) I spend most of my fishing time on Lake St. Clair for muskie and walleye.

Anyways, My family has a place on Hubbard Lake and I frequent there a lot in the summer months. I will be going there this weekend. I fish everytime I go up there but never have much luck. I was hoping someone could give me some advice for this time of year. Our place is on the east side of the lake by Sucker Creek.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Danny

[East Shore Jon]

Im taking my maiden voyage to Hubbard tomorrow after work. I'll let you know how it turns out. Not many reports to speak of so far.

Jon

[glockman55]

I have fished there one time, and we caught 17 walleye's. not all keepers, but a lot of fun. We fished it like I do on the sag. bay...Trolling hot-n-tots. I think it was later in the summer. I'd try crawlers at a slower pace.
Good Luck:
Glock:dizzy:

[arrowdog]

I will also be going up there this weekend. My inlaws have a place on the south end, near Len and Layne's party/overpriced tackle store. I have also never had much luck on Hubbard. I have caught several smallmouths about 3#'s near Dr's point. I caught all of them trolling cranks. I will be in a red/white Glastron ski fish model. What will you be in or what channel will you be on?

[DannyFS213]

I will be in a white and blue bayliner bow rider or small aluminum with a 15hp johnson on back. Not sure yet. I am going to try and get out Saturday morning but im not sure I will be able to get out that early because we have to put the dock in the water before I do anything. We don't have a radio but I will watch for you.

I have trolled crankbaits and crawler harnesses a lot.

The DNR report says...

Hubbard Lake – Anglers are catching and releasing smallmouth bass in the South Bay. Boat anglers are fishing near the old marina. Try casting worms, tube baits or spinners. A walleye was caught when trolling along the shoreline between the North and South Bay?s.

East Shore Jon- I look forward to your report!

Danny

[scottyhoover]

In my limited experience on Hubbard, I'd say that having good electronics is 80% of the battle....you have to be fishing where the fish are....she's a tough nut to crack.

[shametamer]

scotty is correct! with the exception of a late evening/night bite at the back end of east bays sparse weeds; the search for eyes in hubbard is an open water, suspended fish bite.......let the graphs find the free roaming suspended pods of baitfish and the walleyes will be right behind..oft times this is 30 foot deep over 60 foot of water or better...............and by all means if you are using plastic..stay with purple!....:D Good luck!

[shametamer]

if you have an old 'lazy ike' in the maroon/silver finish(out of production, now, i believe) and you can downrig,dipsey,splitshot,cowbell it down to level the eyes are at, we used to slay them there, with that lure and color.( about the only lake i ever had 'great' success with lazy ikes)

[DannyFS213]

I definately agree that the fish are suspended. That is where most of my limited luck has come from.

Does anyone know if there are a lot of crawfish yet? Seems like there are always a ton of them arouond. :dizzy:

[east bay ed]

i have not hit hubbard yet this spring. been searching for those big hogs in thunder bay. i might be hitting hubbard this evening. if i do i will post my results.

[chuckinduck]

"Those Big hogs in Thunder Bay?" That would imply that there are big walleye at the dam, or are you referring to down near the mouth at 9th street? I've fished the dam on a number of occassions in the spring, but never caught any hogs. It'd be nice to see though.

[East Shore Jon]

"Those Big hogs in Thunder Bay?" That would imply that there are big walleye at the dam, or are you referring to down near the mouth at 9th street? I've fished the dam on a number of occassions in the spring, but never caught any hogs. It'd be nice to see though.

I think he was talking about the actual bay. Not the river at all. Thunder Bay has great walleye fishing, a few 10 pounders being caught every once in a while. This year sounds like its been slow.
Jon

[brdhntr]

"Those Big hogs in Thunder Bay?" That would imply that there are big walleye at the dam, or are you referring to down near the mouth at 9th street? I've fished the dam on a number of occassions in the spring, but never caught any hogs. It'd be nice to see though.

As Jon said, he was most likely referring to the bay. However, there are some big eyes, and often plenty of them near the dam. Try casting bomber Long A's or Rapala f-11 across current at the dam and doing a slow retreive, let the current work the bait. Bite usually starts around 11pm. If you are really good with bouncing stickbaits off rocks and snags, try the power company side about 20 yds up from the bridge. Be careful, as that side has some deep holes that will suck you in if you step wrong.

My buds and I have taken many fish, some up to 10# from there.

[SPITFIRE]

ive done well on hubbard trolling with planer boards and when thats not working i hit points and drop offs with leeches they lovem there.

[ENCORE]

I haven't been online much because I've been down to the lake (Hubbard) fishing. If I wasn't afraid of another storm tonight, I wouldn't be online and be back on the lake.
The bite has been slow for us. We have taken a couple nice 17" this week and also lost a couple at the net, all well after dark. We've tried the hot-n-tots, but the walleyes seem to be favoring the longer stick baits. Husky Jerks have been the bait that they seem to want. Blue and silver or firetiger color. Speed is critical! 1.2 to 1.5 seems to be the right speed combination. A good friend has been doing much better than we have. He's not starting until around 10:00pm and fishing until around 1:00am. The sand flats have been the most productive.
I read a post about crayfish. Yup, the lake is LOADED with Rusty Crayfish and if any bait that you're trolling gets anywhere near the bottom, pull in the line and remove the zebra mussels. :sad:
The lake is VERY high right now. We're hoping that when people come up this weekend, that they don't complain too much. Most of us living here would like to see the water level remain as it is.
If you're putting docks in this weekend, remember that the water is high and will certainly be much lower later in the summer. Plan accordingly.
I did really good, before the season, while fishing steelhead on large walleyes at the dam in Alpena ;) As always, they ALL went back.
The DNR is doing a creel census on the lake this year. They've had the nets out, but I'm not certain if they've done any shocking yet. Shocking is scheduled this year.
The DNR and DEQ are puzzled and "don't have a clue" as to why the weeds are disappearing in Hubbard. They state that Hubbard is only one of three lakes in the State that the weeds are disappearing in. The other two are in the western U.P.
Lack of weeds, way too many rusty crayfish and zebra mussels are their stated reasons for the poor fishery. However, the perch fishing is improving and some walleyes are being caught.
Blue & silver Smoker Craft, King Troller....... see ya on the lake!