Labor Day on South Manistique...any help?

[catfishtom210]

A friend and I are the last of a group that used to camp over the holiday every year on Little Brevoort. We are switching locations (Little Brevort is now enforced as no motors) and having fished S. Manistique before once or twice and doing better than on big Brevoort, we're going to start there and stay at the state park. We are interested in possibly exploring other camping and fishing options for this year and the future but prefer less people around and something on or within a walk to the water. Fishing preference is by boat with shore access great too for waders, etc. Kayaks are a possibility too. We are more interested in pike and small and largemouth bass than walleye or salmon/trout.

Any feedback, suggestions, advice, etc. on camping (where, site quality, distance to water, etc.), fishing, (lakes, fish species and quality, general locations, suggested lures, etc.), or anything else that might be important (good places to gather wood, speed traps, bad roads/ramps, etc) would be welcomed and appreciated! A post here or a PM (in case you really want to put me on a spot! ;-) ) would be great.

If anyone knows the area well I'd also like to know if there is an easy way to reach the state park at S. Manistique from 2. I'm always leery that the roads on a map might be two tracks or worse and we are going to be arriving at night. Do I have to go up the east side of the lake through Curtis and then around and down the west side from the north to the S.P. in order to stay on a good road?

I'll say thanks in advance since I anticipate a typically helpful response from the guys (or gals) on here! Thanks! I'll look to post afterwards but won't give up any secrets that might have been entrusted to me! BTW....we're leaving Wednesday evening and returning the following Tuesday.

Tom

[NBman]

I'd say the south lake is probably the best over all lake. You can spend all day catching pike and L. mouths but only a few will be keepers. The big lake can be good but theres a lot of water there. I've seen people do good for walleye on the north lake but i have only perch fished it once. The north doesn't get as much pressure as the other lakes.

The Luce county park is also a nice little campground but it is on the north lake. I don't think there is a straight shot to the state park. But you can get to Curtis from H33 off 2. Its a nice paved road all the way to curtis from the east. M77 north off 2 will take you just south of Germfask. Make a right on I think its ackley rd and it will take you to curtis from the west.

[shametamer]

no state park on south manistique..just a state forest campground..launch at the campground is gravel and shallow..if you run a good size boat you will need to launch on east side or at long point(wolfe bay) anyway..many water sites....but requires tying out a little ways from shore...certainly the most consistent of the 3 and the most amount of fishable species....north , you might get larger fish, but they are few and far between.....for a more secluded u/p/ woods experience you will need to drive more central, west or superior rim type areas

[MJL094]

South Manistique has some excellent fishing oppertunities. The lake holds everything from panfish to muskies. It has a good population of walleyes and some impressive bass. I fish up there a few times a year and always find good action, especially if you like to chase bass. Hope you catch some good ones!! PS the island near the Norton Rd launch usually holds lots of fish early in the morning hours.....

[FISH21]

:yeahthat: