Portage Lake (Washtenaw Co.) report

[Jim S]

Hi all. Decided not to go to LSC on Sun. since my 6 yo daughter wanted to fish closer to home. Went to Big Portage from 8AM to around 2PM. Fished the weed edges along the North side and we caught about 15 bass, mostly LM. Fish were 10"-16". Used light tackle and small jigs and grubs. Fish were mostly suspendedover deep water though we caught one on bottom in around 26 FOW. Quite a few boats out mostly fishing offshore. Hope to fish LSC this weekend. JS

[northern_outdoorsman]

Thanks for the report!

[YPSIFLY]

Jim S,
Thanks for the report. I've driven past those lakes about a million times and have wondered how they were given that they get fished pretty hard. Looks like the fish have held up.

[Jim S]

Ypsifly,

I just moved to SE MI (Ann Arbor) last Nov. Only fished Portage 4 or 5 times and Half Moon once. Been to Base Line and Silver lakes but never wet a line. I was fishing LSC during the summer since I only have weekends free. You're right, all those lakes seem to get their share of pressure, i.e. no secret holes since launch ramp hrs. are 8AM-10PM. Mostly "worm dunkers" but I've seen lots of bass boats also. IMO, all those lakes have good habitat and good water quality. What you should do is go there with your fly rod and some Clouser Minnows and I'll bet you'll have a blast. Thing is it's always been too windy to flyfish (I guess, I'm no flycaster) when I've been there, but those fish probably never see anything other than the usual grubs/tubes/worms...just right for a 5 or 6 wt. Here's a thought, put a HP limit on those lakes on certain days and make it a sort of "family" fishery; no one allowed to fish unless you have a minor on board! And start harvesting a FEW bass now and then and I'll bet the average size will go up from 10' or so to 14"...just a pipe dream I'm sure but it would be nice to have an area close to home set aside for "peaceful" family fishing outings! Good fishin' Jim

[YPSIFLY]

Jim,
The next time I'm upt that way, I'll give it a try. Wind isn't too much of a problem for me, I use an 8wt. on windy days.
Thanks again.

[TBone]

You know, I almost posted my report on Sunday. It was my first time ever fishing portage myself. I only hit two fish but one was a nice 15" Smallie. The other was about the same size large mouth. I spent alot of time in some unproductive water and when I moved to a new area, I hit those fish pretty quick. I fished from about 9:30 to noon. I don't think that I saw you though Jim. I would have remembered a father out with his daughter.

Friday and Monday I fished Half moon for the first time. A few bass but not much to talk about. Had a nice pike bite off. My wife also had a nice pike follow a spinner but not bite on Monday. Friday and Monday was brutal weather. Sunday wasn't bad, but I'm impressed your 6 year old took it well. A little cool in the morning.

Take care and tight lines.

BTW, I am planning on being back at Portage on Sunday. I enjoyed the pre-NFL relaxation. Sorta my idea of the perfect day!

[Jim S]

TBone,

Actually my daughter caught a cold, nothing serious, just stuffy nose, etc. My fault, didn't dress her for the weather. But she LOVES being out there with me and for that I am SO thankful. Of course I let her reel in every fish after I set the hook.

I've got a red 16 ft. Lund Angler and we were fishing the North end of the lake most of the day. I'm 3rd generation Japanese-American and usually don't see ANY other fisher-folks of Asian descent on the water so I would be easy to spot. Only reason I mention this is that I am a little uneasy, especially these days with the references to Pearl Harbor, being the only minority walking around Cabela's. Actually it's just me seeing flashbacks to my childhood growing up in Chicago. Everyone I've met here in Michigan so far has been just fantastic. Anyway, we should try to get together and fish for bass (or whatever) sometime in the future!

I think Half Moon is a good bass lake but I think the average size of the bass is a wee bit bigger in Portage Lake, being a bigger lake. What I love about those lakes is taking a small tackle box with UL and light lures and 4 and 6 lb. test and just having fun. Forget about big fish, there's St. Clair and Erie for that. It is so easy these days (for me, I'm Baby Boom kid) to get spoiled and caught up with catching only "quality" fish that I really almost prefer the smaller lakes. If you go Sunday, try just off the weedlines on the windward side and use a 2-3" grub or tube on a 1/16th oz jig or a weightless 4" Senko. Let it fall (be real patient) until the line tightens up and reel set the hook! I saw lots of suspended fish and lots of baitfish. I didn't try many hard baits other than trolling a couple passes but I think the fish are too touchy. Maybe I'll see you on Sun. otherwise good luck let me know how you do!

Jim
jsugai@excite.com

[YPSIFLY]

Jim and T Bone,
Since you guys are into fishing the smaller lakes in this area, you should try Pickeral and Crooked Lakes. Pickeral is stocked with Rainbows and is connected to Crooked by a narrow waterway. These lakes also produce fine Bass and big 'gills and crappie. Motors are prohibited on both lakes, but that may change soon.

[walleyechaser]

I've lived within 6 miles of Portage Lake and have fished the
entire chain extensively for years. Don't fool yourself about the
small average size of bass, both large and smallmouth. There's
also large pike in the chain and I do very well for walleyes but
you have to know where to fish at different times of the year.
The crappies are very large if you know where to find them.
Its not uncommon to catch 14-15 inch crappies with a few
larger than that thrown in. The bluegills will run up to 10" or
better when you get into the big ones.
The problem is lake access. There's only 2 access sites on the
West end of the chain. There's the DNR launch on McGregor Rd
which has limited hours of operation but the Portage Inn just
North of that is open most of the time although its a single ramp
and a little rough.
Portage Marine has a ramp on the river that dumps into Little
Portage Lake.
On the East end, Ted Cobb's marina will let you launch for a fee
but only during business hours. Their located on Zukey Lake.
Ice fishing is a problem since you have to know someone who
lives there to get access---the launches never freeze up in the
winter so its impossible to get to safe ice.
If anyone wants more specific info, email me at dbohacz@msn.com
and I'll try to send you in the right direction for whatever you're
fishing for.

[Jim S]

Hi walleyechaser,

Thanks for the inside info on the "Half Moon" chain of lakes. I sent you an e-mail to share some thoughts. Maybe we can meet for some serious bluegill fishing? I haven't fished for'em in 20 years...bass and walleye always seem to get in the way.

Jim S.

[$Big Pimpin$]

We both live in Pinckney, Ill be emailing you later seeing as how i can always catch fish in spring on the chain but never in summer or fall.