SC Mike
11-05-2007, 04:56 PM
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Ford Lake, Washtenaw County (https://www.sportsmansconnection.com/lakeinfo/29336-Ford/)
Nearest town: Ypsilanti East
Surface water area: 975 acres
Maximum depth: 30 feet
Water clarity: Brown tint, poor visibility
Accessibility: Township-owned public access in park on south shore; hard-surfaced ramp suitable for larger boats; parking for 50 vehicles
42¡ 12’ 39.21” N / 83¡ 34’ 23.34” W
Accommodations: Park, ADA fishing pier, picnicking, restrooms
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Ford.gif (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/)
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Fishing Information
Ford Lake’s fishery is characterized by good numbers of a wide variety of sportfish species. Two highlights of the fishery are bluegills (surveyed in huge numbers in 2006) and walleyes. Both species exhibit growth rates well above the Michigan average. While numbers of bluegill in particular may not be large, the average size is well above the norm. Walleyes are naturally reproducing, and growth is good, with a variety of sizes available. Smallmouth bass outnumber largemouth, and good populations of catfish, white bass, and crappies provide additional angling opportunities.
In (Spot 1), anglers encounter a top springtime walleye location, as walleyes tend to move toward current soon after ice-out. Jigs and shad raps or soft jerkbaits such as a Sluggo or Zoom fluke are good choices. This bite lasts until mid-May. This is a good summertime catfish location, too. In (Area 2), good weeds mixed with sand and rocks attract largemouth and smallmouth bass. Spinnerbaits are good lures here. Seth Hartwick at South Street Tackle, 205 South St., Bellevue, MI 48111, (734) 697-0990, says almost the entire south shoreline of the lake (Areas 3) is good for bass, bluegills, and crappies. The main features are fallen trees, docks and rocky shorelines. Walleye anglers troll around the island in (Spot 4) with Hot ‘N Tots, Wiggle Warts, and ’crawler harnesses. Action is best on summer evenings. If you like to use a Carolina rig for smallmouth, (Spot 5) is a top place to do it. Try to stay on the drop-off to the west end of this area.
Anglers catch just about everything the lake has to offer on the old roadbed at (Spot 6). The best action is in 18- to 25-feet of water. Jigs and bottom-bouncers with spinners top the list for walleyes, and Carolina rigs are good for bass. This also is a good spot to look for bluegills, crappies and perch in the winter. Meanwhile, (Spot 7) features a sharp drop with rock that attracts walleyes and smallmouth bass. Tube jigs or jigging spoons are good choices here. An unusual piece of structure is the feature of (Spot 8). A concrete shelf runs for about 50 yards. It’s about 5-feet deep on top and 10- to 12-feet deep off the edge of the drop. Crappies, bluegills and bass love it; walleyes often push baitfish up against it at night. Crappies hold tight to the vertical wall, so fish them vertically with small jigs or a slip bobber and a minnow. Cheryl Bowler at Bass-N-Sport, 1255 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48193, (734) 485-2355 says (Area 9)[b] is one of the better ice-fishing locations for crappies. Black crappies suspend in deep water during winter.
Docks reaching out into deep water at [B](Area 10) are great locations for big crappies and bass. Pitch jigs around the dock pilings. Bass will also engulf a Senko pitched under a dock. Some of the largest bluegills in the lake can be found in this spot during summer. Shoreline and off-shore structure in (Area 11) attract walleyes and catfish. Walleye fishing is good in spring, and catfish action is good all summer. According to DNR fisheries biologist Jeff Braunscheidel, Ford is one of the best catfish lakes in the area. “In a 2006 survey, we sampled hundreds of channel catfish,” he said. “There were an awful lot of 10- to 15-pounders caught. If you like fishing for channel catfish, this lake is a good place to do it.”
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 http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/michigan/
Ford Lake, Washtenaw County (https://www.sportsmansconnection.com/lakeinfo/29336-Ford/)
Nearest town: Ypsilanti East
Surface water area: 975 acres
Maximum depth: 30 feet
Water clarity: Brown tint, poor visibility
Accessibility: Township-owned public access in park on south shore; hard-surfaced ramp suitable for larger boats; parking for 50 vehicles
42¡ 12’ 39.21” N / 83¡ 34’ 23.34” W
Accommodations: Park, ADA fishing pier, picnicking, restrooms
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Ford.gif (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/)
http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/images/lakeoftheweek/mi/Ford-stocking.gif (http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/)
Fishing Information
Ford Lake’s fishery is characterized by good numbers of a wide variety of sportfish species. Two highlights of the fishery are bluegills (surveyed in huge numbers in 2006) and walleyes. Both species exhibit growth rates well above the Michigan average. While numbers of bluegill in particular may not be large, the average size is well above the norm. Walleyes are naturally reproducing, and growth is good, with a variety of sizes available. Smallmouth bass outnumber largemouth, and good populations of catfish, white bass, and crappies provide additional angling opportunities.
In (Spot 1), anglers encounter a top springtime walleye location, as walleyes tend to move toward current soon after ice-out. Jigs and shad raps or soft jerkbaits such as a Sluggo or Zoom fluke are good choices. This bite lasts until mid-May. This is a good summertime catfish location, too. In (Area 2), good weeds mixed with sand and rocks attract largemouth and smallmouth bass. Spinnerbaits are good lures here. Seth Hartwick at South Street Tackle, 205 South St., Bellevue, MI 48111, (734) 697-0990, says almost the entire south shoreline of the lake (Areas 3) is good for bass, bluegills, and crappies. The main features are fallen trees, docks and rocky shorelines. Walleye anglers troll around the island in (Spot 4) with Hot ‘N Tots, Wiggle Warts, and ’crawler harnesses. Action is best on summer evenings. If you like to use a Carolina rig for smallmouth, (Spot 5) is a top place to do it. Try to stay on the drop-off to the west end of this area.
Anglers catch just about everything the lake has to offer on the old roadbed at (Spot 6). The best action is in 18- to 25-feet of water. Jigs and bottom-bouncers with spinners top the list for walleyes, and Carolina rigs are good for bass. This also is a good spot to look for bluegills, crappies and perch in the winter. Meanwhile, (Spot 7) features a sharp drop with rock that attracts walleyes and smallmouth bass. Tube jigs or jigging spoons are good choices here. An unusual piece of structure is the feature of (Spot 8). A concrete shelf runs for about 50 yards. It’s about 5-feet deep on top and 10- to 12-feet deep off the edge of the drop. Crappies, bluegills and bass love it; walleyes often push baitfish up against it at night. Crappies hold tight to the vertical wall, so fish them vertically with small jigs or a slip bobber and a minnow. Cheryl Bowler at Bass-N-Sport, 1255 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, MI 48193, (734) 485-2355 says (Area 9)[b] is one of the better ice-fishing locations for crappies. Black crappies suspend in deep water during winter.
Docks reaching out into deep water at [B](Area 10) are great locations for big crappies and bass. Pitch jigs around the dock pilings. Bass will also engulf a Senko pitched under a dock. Some of the largest bluegills in the lake can be found in this spot during summer. Shoreline and off-shore structure in (Area 11) attract walleyes and catfish. Walleye fishing is good in spring, and catfish action is good all summer. According to DNR fisheries biologist Jeff Braunscheidel, Ford is one of the best catfish lakes in the area. “In a 2006 survey, we sampled hundreds of channel catfish,” he said. “There were an awful lot of 10- to 15-pounders caught. If you like fishing for channel catfish, this lake is a good place to do it.”
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 http://www.sportsmansconnection.com/michigan/