Glen lake--Glen Arbor--Empire--Help

[El Diablo]

My brother (a Blackhawk pilot with the 101st) is marrying his sweetheart who happens to be a Blackhawk pilot also (and she out ranks him poor guy). They're getting hitched July 3rd in Empire. We'll be making a vacation out of it and we're staying in a house on Little Glen lk during the holiday week. We're leaving June 30th to go up there and staying thru 'til July 7.
I'll be trailering my 16 footer up there and I'm hoping to make time to sneak off with the groom and do some fishing.

I've never been to this area before and I'm looking for tips, good spots to try and what's biting from someone who knows. PMs are welcome. I'm planning on doing a half-day charter but want to know what kind of fishing I can do on my own. Are there any spots I can try for lakers (I've never caught a Lake Trout)? I know that Big Glen is pretty deep. Am I crazy to think I can fish near shore in my little boat on the big lake? From what I've heard it's not the best time of year for fishing up there but I'm optimistic. Perch fishing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading,

Dave

[waterfoul]

Been fishing the Glens since I was a kid. Little Glen produces perch... though the numbers are less lately due to the Cormorant issue. Our neighbors perch fish constantly... using store bought shrimp (the little tiny ones) for bait. Worse comes to worse you can eat the bait! If you want to find the fish... look for the locals. You can usually get them at the drop offs (which are EASY to see because of the water clarity!!) or anywhere you can find a weedbed. Big Glen holds some lakers... but they are very difficult to locate and even harder to catch. There are some giant smallies in both little and big Glen. White spinnerbaits and bluegill colored rattle traps work well, again near the drops and in the weeds.

This time of year you need to go out pretty far to get the salmon and such on Lake Michigan. I wouldn't recommend taking your boat out too far... that lake can whip up in a huge hurry!! And there is really only one place to put in or take refuge and that's Leland. There are beach ramps in Empire and Glen Arbor, but I just don't recommend them. You may get in, and then find it impossilbe to get out due to the waves.

You could trailer over to Lake Lelanau for some eyes... pretty good fishing over there.

[tgafish]

This time of year you need to go out pretty far to get the salmon and such on Lake Michigan. I wouldn't recommend taking your boat out too far... that lake can whip up in a huge hurry!! And there is really only one place to put in or take refuge and that's Leland. There are beach ramps in Empire and Glen Arbor, but I just don't recommend them. You may get in, and then find it impossilbe to get out due to the waves.
You could trailer over to Lake Lelanau for some eyes... pretty good fishing over there.

Thanks for the info. I was actually planning on using the Glen Arbor launch but it sounds like I'll be heading to Frankfort. Too bad. I heard our place is less than 1/2 mile from that launch.

[Rugerdog]

Hey, Waterfoul...

I will be up there again in late July. Are there rivers one could wade for smallies?

[waterfoul]

Hey, Waterfoul...

I will be up there again in late July. Are there rivers one could wade for smallies?

None that I know of, sorry. I've never really fished any of the rivers up there.

[El Diablo]

That's some helpful info waterfoul. Thanks for the reply. Hopefully we can get into some fish while we're up there. My uncle gave me some old school lake trout bottom bouncers but I'm not real sure how to fish them. I guess we'll target perch for starters. I'll have to try your shrimp tip. If we don't get any perch popcorn shrrimp is a good alternative:lol:.

[waterfoul]

There is a grocery store in both Empire and Glen Arbor to by your shrimp bait! Also, make sure you get a burger at Joes Tavern in Empire while you're up there. One of my favorite places to get a burger.

[El Diablo]

Cool man thanks. I'll give those burgers a try. Always looking for tasty eats.

[waterfoul]

I may actually be up there that week (supposed to have the whole week off from work). If so, we could meet up and do some fishing... call it a free guide service!! But I like to fish early... and then again in the evening for the smallies.

[El Diablo]

Yeah that sounds great. I'd like to meet up and take advantage of your guide services:). Like I said I'll be up there from June 30th through July 7. The wedding is on the 3rd (tues) so monday and tuesday are going to be fairly hectic. The rest of the week is clear. But we could go any time that works for you. Early works for me too. I'll have my cell on me (312-399-0724). That would be cool to put something together like that.

Thanks,

Dave

[waterfoul]

Well, my time up there depends on work (supposed to have that week off... but that could change). We will leave it open for now, and if it works out, it works out!

[El Diablo]

Sounds good to me. You've got my number. Feel free to call and hopefully we can put something together.