SC Mike
01-02-2007, 04:51 PM
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Alcona Dam Pond, Alcona County (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/lakeinfo/27241-Alcona_Dam_Pond/)
Surface water area: 953 acres
Maximum depth: 40 ft.
Water clarity: 5 foot visibility
Nearest town: Curtisville
Latitude / Longitude: 44 34.34 / 83 49.47
Accessibility: County-owned public access sites on the south shore, east shore and west shore; hard-surfaced ramps; parking for 20 vehicles
Accommodations: Park, toilets, camping
Survey start - end dates: 5/15/95 - 5/19/95
Survey objective: Cooperative survey with the United States Forest Service and the DNR; general survey
Gear type(s) utilized: Fykenet
Fish cover types observed: Shallow cattail, marshy areas, some submerged timber and downed trees, abundant vegetation - milfoil, elodea and curlyleaf pondweed
Fish foods observed: Abundant minnows, insects
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FISHING INFORMATION: Alcona Dam Pond is a 1,008-acre impoundment of the Au Sable River. The pond has all the qualities to be an outstanding fishery for several game fish species — but for some reason it is not, at least for now. The pond has northern pike, walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, bluegills, rock bass, and pumpkinseed sunfish. But in the case of the larger species, either numbers are limited, or the fish are on the small side of average.
The panfish do offer some nice sizes, but there are lots of easier-to-fish Michigan lakes with nice panfish. Walleyes were stocked here during the late 1980s and 1990s but,
for some reason, this popular species did not do well in the pond. There are lots of them around, but most of them have remained well below keeper size. Pike are the best bet among the bigger species. The number of northerns is decent, and most of the fish are in the 16- to 22-inch length range. That profile will set no hearts aflutter or challenge state pike records, but it will include some fish worth keeping and capable of putting up a good fight. The largemouths are both limited in numbers and size. The smallmouths are also not found in abundance in these waters, but they tend to run from 11 to 16 inches, which means at least some are keepers.
Among the panfish, crappies are the best bet, with those fish caught ranging up to about 14 inches. Rock bass are also present in decent numbers, and some are of acceptable size. There also are plenty of ‘gills and pumpkinseeds in these waters, but they are mostly in the 6- to 8-inch length range.
Spinnerbaits and spoons seem to do well for anglers after pike. If bass are on your mind, try tossing Dardevles, minnows, or spoons. If you think you are the person who can find some keeper ‘eyes here, try nightcrawlers or minnows on a harness or a jig. Waxworms and crickets are the favored lures for those after the pond’s panfish.
Three islands toward the north end of the pond are the places to look for smallmouths and for your best bet at landing a keeper-size largemouth. The pike are usually found in the water just north of the dam. Whatever walleyes are worth catching can be found just about anywhere in the pond. The panfish are likewise scattered about but usually relate to the original riverbed.
As is the case with most impoundment lakes, your best luck will come if you fish the water above the riverbed, and a depth finder will be a big help in doing that. Also as is common with impoundment lakes, the areas outside the original river track are filled with flooded timber in Alcona Dam Pond. The trees and underwater brush are often magnets for small fish and the big ones that feed on them. A recent DNR survey of the pond reported lots of underwater and emergent vegetation also. And the waters have plenty of minnows, crayfish, and insects to provide food for all species. Now if only enough fish can keep from eating the others — and if anglers practice catch-and-release for awhile — the survivors can grow up, and this pond can become worthy of its structure and food supply.
Sportsman's Connection is a leading publisher of lake maps and fishing information. 130-250 Michigan lakes are covered in each of 7 fishing map guides, and are available for download at www.scmaps.com.
Alcona Dam Pond, Alcona County (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/lakeinfo/27241-Alcona_Dam_Pond/)
Surface water area: 953 acres
Maximum depth: 40 ft.
Water clarity: 5 foot visibility
Nearest town: Curtisville
Latitude / Longitude: 44 34.34 / 83 49.47
Accessibility: County-owned public access sites on the south shore, east shore and west shore; hard-surfaced ramps; parking for 20 vehicles
Accommodations: Park, toilets, camping
Survey start - end dates: 5/15/95 - 5/19/95
Survey objective: Cooperative survey with the United States Forest Service and the DNR; general survey
Gear type(s) utilized: Fykenet
Fish cover types observed: Shallow cattail, marshy areas, some submerged timber and downed trees, abundant vegetation - milfoil, elodea and curlyleaf pondweed
Fish foods observed: Abundant minnows, insects
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Alcona-Dam-Pond.gif (http:/www.sportsmansconnection.com)
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Alcona-Dam-Pond-Stocking.gif (http:/www.sportsmansconnection.com)
FISHING INFORMATION: Alcona Dam Pond is a 1,008-acre impoundment of the Au Sable River. The pond has all the qualities to be an outstanding fishery for several game fish species — but for some reason it is not, at least for now. The pond has northern pike, walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, bluegills, rock bass, and pumpkinseed sunfish. But in the case of the larger species, either numbers are limited, or the fish are on the small side of average.
The panfish do offer some nice sizes, but there are lots of easier-to-fish Michigan lakes with nice panfish. Walleyes were stocked here during the late 1980s and 1990s but,
for some reason, this popular species did not do well in the pond. There are lots of them around, but most of them have remained well below keeper size. Pike are the best bet among the bigger species. The number of northerns is decent, and most of the fish are in the 16- to 22-inch length range. That profile will set no hearts aflutter or challenge state pike records, but it will include some fish worth keeping and capable of putting up a good fight. The largemouths are both limited in numbers and size. The smallmouths are also not found in abundance in these waters, but they tend to run from 11 to 16 inches, which means at least some are keepers.
Among the panfish, crappies are the best bet, with those fish caught ranging up to about 14 inches. Rock bass are also present in decent numbers, and some are of acceptable size. There also are plenty of ‘gills and pumpkinseeds in these waters, but they are mostly in the 6- to 8-inch length range.
Spinnerbaits and spoons seem to do well for anglers after pike. If bass are on your mind, try tossing Dardevles, minnows, or spoons. If you think you are the person who can find some keeper ‘eyes here, try nightcrawlers or minnows on a harness or a jig. Waxworms and crickets are the favored lures for those after the pond’s panfish.
Three islands toward the north end of the pond are the places to look for smallmouths and for your best bet at landing a keeper-size largemouth. The pike are usually found in the water just north of the dam. Whatever walleyes are worth catching can be found just about anywhere in the pond. The panfish are likewise scattered about but usually relate to the original riverbed.
As is the case with most impoundment lakes, your best luck will come if you fish the water above the riverbed, and a depth finder will be a big help in doing that. Also as is common with impoundment lakes, the areas outside the original river track are filled with flooded timber in Alcona Dam Pond. The trees and underwater brush are often magnets for small fish and the big ones that feed on them. A recent DNR survey of the pond reported lots of underwater and emergent vegetation also. And the waters have plenty of minnows, crayfish, and insects to provide food for all species. Now if only enough fish can keep from eating the others — and if anglers practice catch-and-release for awhile — the survivors can grow up, and this pond can become worthy of its structure and food supply.
Sportsman's Connection is a leading publisher of lake maps and fishing information. 130-250 Michigan lakes are covered in each of 7 fishing map guides, and are available for download at www.scmaps.com.