SC Mike
07-26-2007, 11:55 AM
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/SC_Lakeoftheweek.gif (http://sportsmansconnection.com)
Arbutus Lake, Grand Traverse County (https://www.sportsmansconnection.com/lakeinfo/29243-Arbutus/)
44¡ 40’ 38.36” N / 85¡ 30’ 38.91” W
Surface water area: 395 acres
Maximum depth: 44 feet
Water clarity: 18.0 ft. secchi disk (2002); very clear
Accessibility: 1) Township-owned public access with gravel ramp on north shore; parking for 20 vehicles
Accessibility: 2) State-owned public access with hard-surfaced ramp (capable of handling large boats) on west shore of Lake #4; parking for 22 vehicles; 44¡ 40’ 28.58” N / 85¡ 31’ 12.54” W
Accessibility: 3) Public access with gravel ramp on west shore of Lake #4 (shallow launch); 44¡ 40’ 20.73” N / 85¡ 31’ 17.73” W
Accommodations: Resort, boat rental, courtesy pier, camping, picnicking, restrooms
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Arbutus.jpg (http://sportsmansconnection.com)
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Arbutus-stocking.jpg (http://sportsmansconnection.com)
Fishing Information:
Located in an area of medium-size lakes southeast of Traverse City, Arbutus spreads its coil-like shorelines around nearly 400 acres. Its sparkling-clear waters are separated into 5 distinct basins. Three of them, basins #2, #3, and #4, are off limits to water skiers and high-speed boating between 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. No high-speed travel is permitted on the other two at all, making things manageable
for anglers.
A DNR survey back in 1990 found good numbers of small-to-decent bass, a few pike ranging upwards from 20 inches, and lots of decent-size bluegills, plus a smattering of perch and crappies. Craig Vohwinkle of Gander Mountain, 3500 Marketplace Circle, Traverse City, MI 49864, (231) 929-5590, says Arbutus is great for largemouth as far as population. He says they range from 1 to 2 pounds primarily, with some larger fish waiting in the wings. Pike in the 2- to 3-pound range are also found in decent numbers, Vohwinkle says, with some larger fish out there – a 10-pound pike isn’t out of the question. The DNR also introduced 1,000 fingerlings into the lake in 2005 to give the future pike population a boost. From spring into fall, Arbutus consistently has good numbers of fish, says Vohwinkle. There are some larger fish present, but, as was the case in the 1990 survey, they aren’t very numerous. Perch, though, have slowly increased in number, and Vohwinkle says they’re now abundant. Most aren’t huge, but anglers can do well for 8-inch fish, he notes, and perch up to 14 inches have been taken. Abundant rock bass and a few smallmouth round out the fishery.
In the spring anglers should fish shallow for the bass, Vohwinkle advised. Typically, the bigmouths will be found along the shorelines and in the weeds in the northernmost basin (Arbutus #5). They can be targeted successfully with spinnerbaits or minnows. Anglers also find largemouth early at the south end of Arbutus #5, but the weeds take over the shallow basins as the season advances, so move north when summer arrives. The northeast shore, off the point in Arbutus #4 (Spot 1) deserves a good look as the season advances. Work the steep break with spoons, spinnerbaits, or a ’crawler harness. A similar area is the west shoreline of Arbutus #3 (Spot 2). And don’t ignore the twin points (Spot 3) straight across the basin. The quick breaks off the north and east shores of Arbutus #2 (Spot 4) also deserve some attention. Largemouth can be found throughout this cove, as well as a few smallies. For northern pike, try the big bay off the southwest end of Arbutus #4 (Spot 5). For bluegills, fish crickets or ’crawlers in 20- to 30-feet of water in the lake’s three center basins during the summer. Similar areas are also good for perch.
Sportsman's Connection is a leading publisher of lake maps and fishing information. 130-250 Michigan lakes are covered in each of 7 (newly revised) fishing map guides, and are available for download at www.sportsmansconnection.com/michigan (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/michigan)
Arbutus Lake, Grand Traverse County (https://www.sportsmansconnection.com/lakeinfo/29243-Arbutus/)
44¡ 40’ 38.36” N / 85¡ 30’ 38.91” W
Surface water area: 395 acres
Maximum depth: 44 feet
Water clarity: 18.0 ft. secchi disk (2002); very clear
Accessibility: 1) Township-owned public access with gravel ramp on north shore; parking for 20 vehicles
Accessibility: 2) State-owned public access with hard-surfaced ramp (capable of handling large boats) on west shore of Lake #4; parking for 22 vehicles; 44¡ 40’ 28.58” N / 85¡ 31’ 12.54” W
Accessibility: 3) Public access with gravel ramp on west shore of Lake #4 (shallow launch); 44¡ 40’ 20.73” N / 85¡ 31’ 17.73” W
Accommodations: Resort, boat rental, courtesy pier, camping, picnicking, restrooms
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Arbutus.jpg (http://sportsmansconnection.com)
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Arbutus-stocking.jpg (http://sportsmansconnection.com)
Fishing Information:
Located in an area of medium-size lakes southeast of Traverse City, Arbutus spreads its coil-like shorelines around nearly 400 acres. Its sparkling-clear waters are separated into 5 distinct basins. Three of them, basins #2, #3, and #4, are off limits to water skiers and high-speed boating between 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. No high-speed travel is permitted on the other two at all, making things manageable
for anglers.
A DNR survey back in 1990 found good numbers of small-to-decent bass, a few pike ranging upwards from 20 inches, and lots of decent-size bluegills, plus a smattering of perch and crappies. Craig Vohwinkle of Gander Mountain, 3500 Marketplace Circle, Traverse City, MI 49864, (231) 929-5590, says Arbutus is great for largemouth as far as population. He says they range from 1 to 2 pounds primarily, with some larger fish waiting in the wings. Pike in the 2- to 3-pound range are also found in decent numbers, Vohwinkle says, with some larger fish out there – a 10-pound pike isn’t out of the question. The DNR also introduced 1,000 fingerlings into the lake in 2005 to give the future pike population a boost. From spring into fall, Arbutus consistently has good numbers of fish, says Vohwinkle. There are some larger fish present, but, as was the case in the 1990 survey, they aren’t very numerous. Perch, though, have slowly increased in number, and Vohwinkle says they’re now abundant. Most aren’t huge, but anglers can do well for 8-inch fish, he notes, and perch up to 14 inches have been taken. Abundant rock bass and a few smallmouth round out the fishery.
In the spring anglers should fish shallow for the bass, Vohwinkle advised. Typically, the bigmouths will be found along the shorelines and in the weeds in the northernmost basin (Arbutus #5). They can be targeted successfully with spinnerbaits or minnows. Anglers also find largemouth early at the south end of Arbutus #5, but the weeds take over the shallow basins as the season advances, so move north when summer arrives. The northeast shore, off the point in Arbutus #4 (Spot 1) deserves a good look as the season advances. Work the steep break with spoons, spinnerbaits, or a ’crawler harness. A similar area is the west shoreline of Arbutus #3 (Spot 2). And don’t ignore the twin points (Spot 3) straight across the basin. The quick breaks off the north and east shores of Arbutus #2 (Spot 4) also deserve some attention. Largemouth can be found throughout this cove, as well as a few smallies. For northern pike, try the big bay off the southwest end of Arbutus #4 (Spot 5). For bluegills, fish crickets or ’crawlers in 20- to 30-feet of water in the lake’s three center basins during the summer. Similar areas are also good for perch.
Sportsman's Connection is a leading publisher of lake maps and fishing information. 130-250 Michigan lakes are covered in each of 7 (newly revised) fishing map guides, and are available for download at www.sportsmansconnection.com/michigan (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/michigan)