Just got a boat

[KalvinKlein]

Hi guys i just inharated my fater-in-law's 12 foot aluminum boat. I live in Rochester Hills, so I'm looking for some decent lakes to fish in that the boat can handle. This may be a dumb question, but can a boat that small handle the detroit river?

[BigBass55]

It's not a dumb question. I myself have a 15 foot aluminum and it handles well on it if its a decent day. As long as you don't go out on a bad day then you are fine.

[KalvinKlein]

Ok, then now I have two more questions. 1-Where are the public boat launchs to get into the river, and 2-is there a website were I can get river conditions before I go?

[allskater08]

I would be a little bit leary of using a 12 footer on the river. I know there are some guys that do but for somebody that's inexperienced you are asking for trouble. There is a huge difference in a 12' and 14 footer even. You want to atleast have a deep v for being out there. It can get pretty bad sometimes and it's not the kind of place you want to get capsized or swamped. I have both a 14 and an 18 footer and the 14 is great for handlining but you have to be careful out there. I would stick to inland lakes with a 12'.

[KalvinKlein]

Yeah it's not a deep V at all. Ok I'll stick to inland lakes. Are there walleye on some of the inland lakes?

[jpollman]

I've got to agree with allskater08. I feel that 14' is the minimum that you'd want to use on the DR. Even then, you'd better pick your day and know what you're doing. I think that 16' is much better for that application.

Take care

John

[DukeTech]

Yeah it's not a deep V at all. Ok I'll stick to inland lakes. Are there walleye on some of the inland lakes?

You can use this link http://www.michigandnr.com/fishstock/ to search for lakes that have been stocked in your county.

[KalvinKlein]

Thank you for everyone for all your help.

[allskater08]

I feel for you man I used to live out in Rochester Hills. Stoney creek isn't bad for bass and pike action. Oakland lake is a good bass lake if you get out early. Even lake orion at certain times can be good but just don't eat anything out of there. I have heard of good fishing out of cass lake but the one time I went there early I didn't realize the ramp opened at like 8 am or some dumb time so I motored all the way down to metro beach which probably was a better decision because it got me a whole lot more walleyes. You just gotta experiment out there and try different lakes. There are a ton of pike, bass, perch, and even wallys to be caught out there.