Good Walleye Lake in Mid-Michigan?

[Dave200516]

Can anyone tell me where a good place to try for walleye in mid-michigan is. I have never fished for them before and really want to catch one. I wouldn't mind fishing a river either. Does the river that runs through St. Charles have walleye? :confused:
What are some good tactics that work to catch these tasty buggers. I thought about trolling with a crawler harness.

Any help would be appreciated.

PS. don't want honey holes, just a place to start. :)

[baydog2]

I would concentrate on lakes now instead of the rivers. The Bad River in St. Charles run is most likely over you might catch 1 or 2 small undersized fish. Try Mott Lake, Holloway , Sanford Lake, or Ponemah Lake these are all decent lakes for walleye. If you have a decent boat you also can hit the Saginaw Bay around the Island at the river mouth. Pick 1 or 2 of those and pm me and I can get more specific on areas.

[J - Rod]

I have heard Crystal Lake (north of Carson City, west of Ithaca) has some walleye, although I have never fished it. That is pretty close to Ashley. Also, I heard that the Maple River has some and that the dam in Elsie is a place to try - again I never fished there, so I am just going on hearsay and what I've read. I went to O-E so I know that area does not have many fishing opportunities.

[Fatherof3]

Whats yer idea of Mid-Michigan? Mine is gratiot/Isabella/mecosta/clare/midland areas. Try Sanford, Wixom, Chippewa Lake, ColdWater Lake near Weidman has a few. Mecosta is said to have eye's but I have never tried for them there.

[Dave200516]

I live in Gratiot county and fish alot in Clinton county. I haved tried the maple alot and only get carp, cats, and pike. I have heard that there are eyes in there, but am not sure where at. I have never caught one at the elsie dam either.
Hopefully I can get out on Sanford and get some of those tasty buggers. :corkysm55

thanks for all the helpful posts.

[flatsman]

As stated above pretty much will be small fish in St. Charles right now. For next years opener try the Shiawassee River south of St.C. You can access it off of Ryan rd. south of town. Quite a few were caught this year.

[just ducky]

Mecosta does have 'eyes, and it's not far at all from you...I'm closer to Lansing than you and I can make it in 1 1/2 hrs. It's not loaded with them, but they get some. And lots of bass (both SM & LM). You need a boat, but there's a DNR access site on the south end. Take a look at the DNR stocking list that is on-line, which will give you a clue about where to try, but make sure you go back a few years....they plant them small and they need to grow up :evil:

[rendotwo]

Your best bet is the famous Saginaw Bay. It is one of the worlds best walleye spots.

[MackDaddy]

You cant go wrong with houghton Lake for a bite. Drag some crawler harness around drifting and or leaches and your sure to get some action of some kind and should pick up a walleye or two if not lots of othe species.. look for the other boats 8-10 ft of water. good luck , west side.