Washtenaw / livingston / oakland counties

[lawnguy]

looking for a good lake that I haven't been to in the area. Would like to focus on eyes but perch and pan are never shunned on. thinking about whitmore. Any other ideas on area lakes would be greatly appreciated. Also, any reports or tips on these lakes would be EXTREMELY appreciated! Anyone looking to hookup and partner out to the lake(s) is more than welcome as there will most likely be 2 or 3 of us.

[Mickey Finn]

I might defer Whitmore for Portage or Northlake.

[walleyechaser]

I might defer Whitmore for Portage or Northlake.

If you're referring to Portage in Pinckney, its all private access. There is no public access open in the winter and even it it were you'd have to cross thin ice where the river current comes across to get to the far side of the lake.:yikes:

If you're after panfish, I'd try Silver in the Pinckney rec area off Dexter Townhall Rd. Park by the beach and head West towards the middle bay past the island. Very nice gills if you hit them and decent crappies along with huge Red Ears and too many hammer handle pike to count although there are decent pike in there when you locate them.

As far as Whitmore goes, the NDR stocking reports show many walleye planted but they can be somewhat difficult to find in the winter. I'd look for 15 -20 foot flats dropping off into deep water and fish those areas in the very early am and evening hours. Evening hours seem to be the best on area lakes for walleyes from about 5:30 pm until an hour or so after dark.

[brdhntr]

I drove by Whitmore Lk yesterday. Lots of shanties just off the DNR site. Looked to be fishing the drop off where I caught some pike the one time I was there during soft water.

[wolverine6804]

Have you tried Maltby lake just off of 23 and just south of 96 the park open around 7 til dark no eyes but plenty of nice gils and perch are hit and miss and lately Pete and I catch crappie. But there is alot of deep water at both end and at least the bathrooms are heated for emergency.
Randy

[lawnguy]

Thank you to those who replied! follow up post will follow!