Need advice on good open lake for new boat

[skeester45]

Hello Everyone. I am new to the forum and think it is great. I was hoping someone could suggest a local lake (southeast Michigan) that would be good for getting familiar with a new boat (new to me that is). I just bought a 1989 17' yarcraft, 75hp mariner, bow mount trolling motor, and would like a place to go that I dont have to worry about really shallow spots and getting into trouble. Although I have fished all my life, this is my first boat and I do not have much experience being a skipper. Fishing would be secondary for the first trip or two, but catching something would be great. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mattm]

Where are you located? I would recomend any lake around me during the week except cass lk. because of crazy boaters all week, and white lk because the launch sucks. Make sure you have all your stuff to be legal on the water- life vest, throwables, air horn, fire extinguisher. Boats over 16' need all that stuff.

[puttputt]

maybe Pontiac Lake. Ummm. on a weekday. ?

[Due51]

Orchard Lake is nice and open. Maceday (Waterford), Lake Orion, Lakeville Lake (north of Rochester).

Good luck with the boat. I've always had an eye for Yar-Craft. I think they're great boats. Wish I could trade up.

[skeester45]

Thanks guys for the replies. MATTM - I am in Brownstown just north of Flat Rock. Belleville isnt far, but some other posts have noted some areas in that lake to be aware of, specifically stating to stay in the channel. All recommendations welcome. Thanks again.

[shametamer]

ford lake from the dam to the island is virtually hazard free..only one launch and its 9 bucks for non residents of ypsi twp. so most weekdays it is very pleasant and even on weekends its not the ZOO some places can be..school out, summer in full swing, weather hot n sunny? good luck finding any lake of size that is not pretty well cut up......

[skeester45]

Thanks shametamer for the tip. I believe that is where I will try - I should be able to sneak away from work (I work from home) during the week, so that will make it easier. How is the launch there @ Ford? Pretty decent? Also, any tips where I may catch some fish in that area would be great as well. Either way, thanks again for the info.

[MAttt]

If I lived where you do I'd be putting in at lake erie metro park
and going out for some eyes.
But as far as inland lakes, they all have the OOPS spots.
My approach to any new lake is to print a lake map off the dnr site,
talk to anyone at the boat launch and take it slow until you learn that lake.
All islands and points are suspect to shallow rocky spots that come out quite a ways that will rip a prop.

Certain lakes over the years I've watched speed boats blasting around that
don't have a clue and you could just watch them as they were approaching
a certain spot and knew was was about to happen.

Fords a real clear lake and is best early or later in the evening or on a dark day. I go there sometimes for nice gills, smallmouth with occasional eye and channel cat.

Mattt

[Mister ED]

If I lived where you do I'd be putting in at lake erie metro park
and going out for some eyes.

MAttt - Probably not the best advice to send a new boat owner onto Lake Erie. After a few trips under his belt ... makeing sure he is comfortable with the boat and all functions work as expected. Then I agree ... go nail those eyes!;)

Skeester - I think you are going about this the correct way. Also look at the on-line boating course:
http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/mi_laws.htm

Another good thing would be to take a more experienced person with you.

Get comfortable with that boat and then get out on Erie. I hear there are soo many 'eyes down there ... even Shametamer catches some!:yikes:

[skeester45]

Mister Ed,

Thanks for reply. It can get scary out on Erie in a heartbeat, so I want to make sure I can handle what it can throw at me. Although I am an experienced fisherman, when you are the one that has to control the boat its a whole different story. Thanks for the link - I will check it out. You are right about the 'eyes though. A buddy and I went out earlier this year on the Detriot river with just a crappy rental boat, 9.9 on the back, and no electronics and got our limit in about 4 hours. Man, what a great fishery. Thanks again.

[MAttt]

Your right Mister Ed...my mistake.
Been a long time since I had my first boat and Erie can get scarie quick.
Having someone experienced would be the best thing for sure especially
at the launch.

Mattt