Trout Lakes in Mich?

[Bassthumb]

Hello all,

I recently moved to Toledo after a stint in Sacramento, CA.... just an hour from those unbelievable Tahoe deep water trout lakes. I have focused on Bass all year but now I have a trout itch to scratch. Im looking for advice on the best lake for a day trip, I dont mind 4 hours each way so if I have to go north I am willing.

Dont have a boat so would have to be a place I could rent. I would like to do some toplining, J-7 firetigers were the staple out in Cali for browns, mackinaw and rainbows. Dont have all the trolling gear so just would be trolling topline rapalas and power mouses most likely.

Another question, toplining is super popular out there but I am wondering if its because the lakes were so clear. I imagine its tougher for a trout to rise 40+ ft for a surface plug if the water isnt crystal.

Where would you recommend for a good day trip?

Bassthumb

[quest32a]

I know most of the trout lakes here in Michigan the trout hang out deep. In the cooler water. You may have some issues getting bites up top on hardware. I know a number of guys that fish for them after dark using bait deep. The other option is always hit the piers when the cold water is in close on Lake Michigan. You will find steelies and maybe a few browns or lakers in tight. And you can throw rapalas and spoons and catch them in 10 feet of water. Just a thought.... Good luck

[Bassthumb]

I know trout will come up to hit a surface plug, and this is a tried and true method out in Tahoe. There are plenty of guides out there that advocate toplining 9-12 inch plugs running 1-2 ft pulling up Lakers at 90-120ft.

Was curious if this method works in Michigan and first concern was water clarity. Does anyone topline for trout in Mich lakes? Are most of the deep trout lakes up north?

Bassthumb

[gomer]

The thing you have to take into consideration is surface temps. The surface temps on inland lakes in Michigan, even "up north" are going to be creaping on the 80 degree mark, and certainly above 70. Trout don't like to hang out in water that warm and will probably not leave a temp range that is more preferable to come up into bath water just to strike a lure even if the water is crystal clear. You are going to need to get your baits down to the thermocline where the temp is more favorable for trout. In the fall and spring when the surface temps are cool, you can certainly get um longlining baits on the surface.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Welcome to the area!!!!!! I am born and raised here in T-town and although I can't answer your question specifically I wish you luck in your pursuit. If you want to try for other species in the area or need some one to split gas on a Up North trip shoot a PM.

[paulywood]

Besides water temp another thing to take into consideration is boat traffics. A lot of the larger, deeper lakes have an incredible amount of pleasure boat traffic in the summer. This pushes fish into deeper water also. A lake that you might want to try is Higgins Lake. My grandparents have a cabin there and it is cold and deep. I will actually be heading up there tonight and be fishing for lakers this weekend. In the spring and fall the brown and rainbow fishing can be very good. There is much less boat traffic before Memorial and after Labor day. There has been at least 2 master angler lakers taken out of there this year. If you are interested I will be fishing up there in the fall and would be happy to take you along. I always enjoy showing people my favorite inland lake. If not I am sure there are plenty of guys( myself included) who would welcome a chance to show you what Michigan trout and salmon fishing are all about. If you can make out sometime I highly recommend it. Good Luck.

[Far Beyond Driven]

We took our first Higgins Lake lake trout over the 4th of July. He was 117' down over 120' of water.

I'm hoping to get back just before the ice forms to fish the surface for all the trout in that lake. I would love to pick up a brown, rainbow, and laker in one trip.

You can dig on the DNR website and find stocking records to help tell you what lakes get trout, or look through the trout guide. Most of those lakes are put and take and will yield fish the size of the lures you mentioned.

FBD, Holland, MI

[Weekender#1]

I had a friend that had a cabin on Bird Lake that trout were stocked yearly and were the majority of the catch there, they grew big and fiesty from what he said. The lake is small but deep with cold springs, the only lake down south here were trout are stocked. I have driven by it just north of Bryan OH but in Michigan, you could fish it in the evenings as I believe there is a lot of activity during the day.

[paulywood]

I ended up going out twice for Lakers on Higgins, going 1/2. We went out early morning and late afternoon to avoid the boats. Fish came on a full core with Half-Nelson Dreamweaver spoon, about 12". Other hit was on a dipsey pulling gold cowbells and a white peanut fly that didn't hook up well. Saw a few fish surfacing and 1 even clear the water completely, think they were probably browns. Will definely be going back up afer Labor Day if not earlier.