South river rd report

[Percha Man]

Was out at the end of south river rd the last four days and at first was just catching alot of small perch off of spreaders and the occasional jumbo. I saw a young kid run bye with a smallmouth.
I didn't notice anyone fishing for smalleys on sunday so monday i went back out and there were 6 or 7 people casting tubes and grubs at them. Well since it was almost 5:30 when I got there i decided to throw some ratl traps. After about 30 minutes and watching the guys with tubes release 3 or 4 ( all in the 2 to 3 lb range) I hooked my first smallmouth and man was it a blast. It weighed about 4 lbs and the guys that were there since early am say that was the second big one all day. It had Black dots around its mouth like it was sucking on a pen and it broke does anyone know what cause that? I switched to tubes after no luck for 1/2 hr and got a few more pick ups and saw 7 or 8 more caught in that hour then nothing. I went back tuesday and same thing tossed some tubes and got 3 in about 2 hrs and bam nothing. Well I think it'll pick up some and I'll be out there until it does or I get a boat in at the detroit river. Good luck

[bounty hunter]

I thought it is illegal to target fish out of season?

[andy capp]

That what I thought also

[MSUICEMAN]

yup, sure is and the dnr is trying to clamp down on the violators this year.

steve

[ESOX]

Yep Illegal as all get out. DNR field office is right there too, but it's a biologists office, not the Enforcement Divison.

[POLARBEAR]

it is not easy to keep up with the rule book. it changes and it sometimes changes after it is published. nice to get into some fish. probably shouldnt target them anymore. ;)

my buddy owns a bait shop. he reads the trout reg in one book, then pulls out another and reads about the same fish and river but it is different. he asked the dnr and c/o about it and showed them his finding and they had different opiions on it. i usually ask at the bait shop if i am going to be legal doing what i am planning on. maybe i should read the book...:D

[jstfish48162]

yes it is illegal, and the "do-nothing-right" (DNR) officers are supposed to be really enforcing this especially on lake st. clair. as of last year, there were signs posted at boat launches around the lake pointing this out.
i would suggest not fishing for out-of-season fish around that area.....especially bass....that is a really sticky subject on the great lakes, and an on-going money maker for the DNR issuing tickets to people bass fishing on st. clair before the season opens...which on st. clair is the third saturday in june-NOT the saturday before memorial day.
were any of the other people keeping them? you stated that you saw a young kid running by with a smallmouth.....that would be considered poaching.

[ESOX]

Originally posted by jstfish48162

i would suggest not fishing for out-of-season fish around that area.....especially bass....


Uh yea, perhaps the best idea is to pay attention the law everywhere, weather or not you agree with it. The "do nothing right DNR" is simply enforcing the laws that were enacted with the best interests of the majority of the population in mind. If you find yourself constantly at odds with the DNR, it might be time for a little introspection.

[POLARBEAR]

essox, define introspection!:D :p just kidding. i got your point.:)

[Icet]

It is illegal - period. The fact you are using tubes tells anyone who fishes what you are targeting. Please, try something else to fish for. :mad:

[Percha Man]

well well well arent we all a little testy.
I would never keep a smallmouth in the first place so lets get that out the way first. second if i get bored and they are hitting what are you supposed to do? Well I cant judge for anyone else but if i was using minnows under a bobber and caught three smallmouths and was trying to cath something else would that be illegal? Anyhow smallmouth arent my fancy they are just there when they are and that makes me a bad sportsman for noticing that this could be a good day catching larger fish or a day with dinky perch. I know my choice is going to be the larger fish. Anyway found new areas in this great state within driving distance of work where I can catch limits of steelhead ( in season and not snagging and not much longer ) so to %&**# with the smallmouth bigger fish to fry. Sorry to cause such a dilema on this forum I'm not a bad fisherman just needed to bend that rod for the first time this spring and the smallmouth did the trick. see ya if i see ya.;)

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Percha Man, they were just letting you know. That way next time you are forewarned if a DNR CO is lurking in the bushes watching. You would probably be OK throwing a Rattle Trap. That can be used for pike, which is in season. Tube jigs are basically bass baits. Got lucky this time, next time , who knows.

[Joe_G]

Hey Percha Man, having grown up in that area, I appreciate the reports from SRR and the spillway. You can't hardly help but catch smallmouths in that area, Keep those reports coming.........