Sanford Lake info needed

[skeets]

I will be heading to Sanford Lake Wednesday and I am looking for any info you can give. I will be fishing for Bass mainly.

[grizzly]

Skeets, fishing on sanford is hitting the summer patterns now. The smallies will be on the points and the hottest bait for myself over the last week has been all topwater. Mostly throwing pop-r and buzzbaits. Largemouth on the shallow flats with anything you can get through the weeds. If your launching at the park dont overlook the riprap that is near the dam. Goodluck and let me know if there is anything else i can help you with.

Grizzly.

[skeets]

Thanks for the info Grizzly. I was thinking of heading up stream about a mile from the launch and see what is up there. Have you had any luck upstream?

[grizzly]

Skeets, i fish the whole lake from one end to the other. Get on the points with a tube and a pop-r and you will do good. There are several canals also. The locals refer to as the fills. These are good bets also. I am sure you will find some willing smallies to pick on. The lake was treated for weeds 2 times this year so far and it has not affected the fishing at all. Just was some nasty slimey green stuff that has now subsided. Be sure to stop buy the local bait shop downtown sanford and get a map of the lake. Skeets another good lake is wixom witch is just north about 15 minutes. Its alot like sanford but has much more to offer as far as getting away from boating and jetskiers.

Goodluck
Grizzly. Let me know if you need any further info.

[skeets]

Thanks again Grizzly. I will definitly stop and get a map. I will be fishing Wixom in a couple of weeks so I may hit you up for some info then also. Thanks again.

[grizzly]

Skeets, No problem if you need any further info just let me know. Im always out on one of the 2 lakes. So if you need anything just drop me an email.

Grizzly.

[Ruler]

Believe it or not, I was about to post on this very topic. I've heard about Sanford & Wixom lakes in the past, but have never fished them. You've been a great help grizzly. I was wondering if I could ask a few more questions of you.

You mentioned smallies and largemouth. I know there are walleye, pike, crappie, and perch in there. How would one go about catching this type of fish in this lake at this time of year?

Are there public launches on either lake? If so, about how much to launch, what are the names, and about where are they located? Like I said, I've never been there. Further, I tend to get mis-placed (never lost though ;) ) quite a bit when I go to fish new areas.

All I have in the line of a boat is a canoe that I'll be paddling; is this sufficient to successfully catch fish now?

How clean is the water in these lakes? I've eaten walleye from both the saginaw river and from AuGres and can honestly say that I'll never eat eyes from the river again. One wouldn't think they were the same species of fish even! The pike from the bay taste like mud, but the pike from the AuSable are excellent. How do fish from these lakes compare?

[grizzly]

Ruler, Sanford is the only one that i try for walleye as they released many over the last 10 years in the lake. The walleyes can be found near the US10 bridge. Vertical jigging with a crawler on a 1/4 ounce jig. I prefer orange for color, but chartruse is always good also. I have done well on the 7 to 9 foot flats also casting a white 4 inch twister with bang shad spray on it. Usually if those 2 areas dont produce we get on the points near the church grounds and work that area. Sometimes we have to slow down and use just a single aberdeen hook with a crawler and 1 piece of splitshot and you catch just about everything on that. Again near the points. As for the crappie i know of 2 spots to go one is near the highbanks buy the islands up the river. If i was in a canoe i would put in at Erskine marine they are on the east side of the lake off water road. That would put you mid way up the lake. Another launch would be the county launch wich is located right off us 10 once you cross over the lake. Its the next exit then turn left about 1/2 mile down the road. Its the most expensive of the 3 launches on the lake. The last one is up in edenville, the name is B&J marina. They are the cheapest i believe. As for the quality of the walleyes, they tasted just like the ones from houghton lake. And are worth going after, i have not spent much time at this point chasing them, but i can get some info from a buddy thats been doing well on the crappies. Just let me know when you gonna be up this way. Most of my time on the water is spent chasing bass. I dont eat the fish from the tittabawasse either. Too rancid smelling and the meat is always a pink color. Just not appealing to me. Sanford sportshop has a nice map of the lake, and usually they have them in stock. They also are a great source for information as lots of locals are in getting bait.

I really cant tell you much on the walleyes or crappies on wixom or the crappies as i usually stick to the early easy ones around easter time on sanford. Thats when we put the smack on them and get some tasty treats for the pan.

Grizzly

[skeets]

Does Erkskins marine carry maps or is there another bait shop that does? If so, where?

[grizzly]

Skeets, i am not sure. I would make a phone call. If you cruise way up river be careful the lake is loaded with boat eating stumps. It would be a good idea to take your time if you venture to far up.

Grizzly.