Need help picking out lakes to go to

[Wally World]

Hey. My girlfriend's brother recommended this forum to get some fishing info. Every year three friends and I head straight up the LP and fish Houghton Lake. After that we choose a couple other lakes every year.

Last year, my friends just picked big lakes from a map and some old fishing guide. We ended up near Torch Lake and the fact that we were the only people fishing the lake on a weekend should tell you how well we did.

We fish for pike and bass and pretty much whatever bites our bait. We use chubs almost exclusively.

The friends have tentatively picked Indian lake in the UP, but the fact that the people we have called at motels tell us no bait shops in the area even sell minnows is kind of making us think this is gonna be a bad, bad lake.

So I'm ask anyone out there for some advice on lakes with good pike and bass in the LP or within 2 hours of the bridge in the UP.

I have heard Fletcher's floodwaters is great, but we're worried about our 25 year old fiberglass boat and how well it could handle all teh stumps and stuff. I would like to know how dangerous that place is, but any info on good lakes is welcomed.

[Sixshooter]

two incredible smallmouth lakes are Hubbard Lake, and Lake Charlevoiux

Both also hold good numbers of Pike and Walleye.

ANd HUGE Rock Bass....

[CubanFisherman]

Most Gander Mountains carry "Sportsman Connection" lake maps and information. They are great tools for picking out lakes that you have not previously fished. I have both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas on a CD-ROM, but if forking over $50 isn't in your budget, you can buy, or at least look at the maps, species information, and good locations of specific lakes in the print version.

[Papa_Ron]

Has Hubbard Lake changed over the years? I have only fished Hubbard once in my life, so I suppose I'm not a fair evaluator of the lake. Family and I vacationed on Hubbard many many a year ago, for two weeks. We had only the 12/14 foot aluminum provided by the resort. Whole family fished Hubbard most every day morning and early evening. The entire two weeks we never caught even any little pests. Had no luck whatsoever.

Watched much larger boats drop in and come off every day, our entire two weeks. Downriggers, electronics, you name it. Watched them go in and come off every day, all day long, never seen any of them bring back much, if anything at all. I had just assumed the lake was relatively 'dead', and we have never been back.

[Wally World]

My dad's fished Hubbard a bunch of times and I swear he would say it was good for walleye and not much else. Maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about, but I've also never heard of it being a pike/bass type of lake. From the times I've vacationed there, it doesn't seem to me to have much vegetation.

[Bassmastergm]

Fletchers is a good lake for Bass and Pike. The average depth of the lake is around 8ft. Depending on how big your boat is you should be Ok just have someone in the front to let you know where the stumps are.

[Sixshooter]

If you go to Hubbard during a mayfly hatch then you might as well hang up the fishing poles cause you are not going to catch much.

Never caught a large mouth out of Hubbard but caught bunches of smallies out of their. And a LOT of walleyes too.

Fish the breaks. The lake drops off pretty steep on the edges. But the smallies are in on the breaks chowing on crawfish.

Use a tube jig or similar and you will probaby catch smallies all day long.

The walleyes are a little different.

there isn't a lot of weeds on the lake. But Walleyes and Smallmouth don't require weeds to survive. There are a lot of bugs and crayfish in the lake to keep things interesting.

I hear there isn't a huge minnow base in the lake so the primary forage for the fish is bugs and crayfish. With that being said we caught 80% of the walleye on that lake suspended over 20 to 30 FOW. We were tossing out crawler spinner rigs with 1/8 oz bullet style sinkers. Cast it out and then start trolling. They weren't anywhere near the bottom but we picked up a lot of fish.

Smallies again were on the break lines there are a couple areas out there that are better than others of course. There is a large point in the main part of hte lake that didn't drop off so steep. There were actually about 2 or 3 good teers of drop off.

there were so many smallies in there that you would hook one, it woudl jump spit your bait. And when you started to reel again you would have another one on the line.

Not to say that will happen everyday but it did the last time we were up there. I guess it has been a couple years since then though.

[shametamer]

Caribou lake , 1 hour east of bridge..has perch,pike,eyes,smallies and is shallow enough to fish on a short trip..millecoquins 1 hour west of bridge offers bout any warm water species that swims(except musky) weedy,20 foot bout maximum depth and fish should like a live bait presentation....South Manistique is a bout 1 hour west of bridge an offers everything, including musky..and live bait works well here..... Long lake(no. of alpena) offers a great variety and Bucks bait n tackle can 'hip' you to the latest hotspots and hook u up with bait....Both Margarethe and Otsego(both right along I-75, north of houghton) offer a variety of species ..live bait works well in both..margarethe the deeper of the 2.otsego the weedier. For a metropolis setting(in the city of Cadillac)the twins, lake Mitchell/cadillac offer good sport year after year..everything but musky. all of these have public launches and should easily accomodate your boat!

[wecker20]

Margareth, Green and Duck lakes are a few more. Good smallies in Margareth and Green. Good largies and pike in duck. Duck and Green are w/in a mile of each other too.

[kingfisher2]

Big Manistee Lake near Curtis in the UP. Great Pike, Walleye, Perch, and Bass.

Good luck and if you choose this one, drop me a PM and I can give a little direction.

Marc

[Sixshooter]

Big Manistee Lake near Curtis in the UP. Great Pike, Walleye, Perch, and Bass.

Good luck and if you choose this one, drop me a PM and I can give a little direction.

Marc

Marc,

Isn't that Big Manistique lake?
The small or south lake on the other side of the street is also a very good lake with a LOT of pike and some walleyes and a few bass. Also found some big perch in there fishing for walleyes.

[kingfisher2]

Six, you are correct. I fished that lake for two weeks for 14 years and still don't know how to spell it. Probably my favorite lake of all. And yes, South Manistee Lake does hold fish, but far too weedy for me. Years ago when I was a kid, the family would stay at Brothertons on South Manistique. Great place and we caught a lot of perch and gills.

We are so lucky here in this great state with all these options.

Marc

[Fishfoote]

I made a half hearted effort on Hubbard last weekend, jigging minnows and dragging harnesses - didn't get a bump, but was only out for a couple hours tops. I did talk to some (quite a few) guys fishing a company tournament that said they did good on smallies and walleye. There also a post from last weekend that said long lake in alpena gave up a great many eyes dragging harnesses with either crawlers or leaches. Since both the lakes are pretty close to one another, and Fletchers isn't two far beyond you could do all three over a couple days..."Fish Tour 05"

[AnglerJake]

Has anyone ever fished North Manistique Lake (may also be called Round Lake)? Are there any places to stay on it? Thanks!

[shametamer]

yes there is a resort or two on north shore..round is tough, lots deeper than its 2 sisters and lacks structure..they did throw in a few fish shelters and she gets stocked well, but ib the heat we are having this year you better fish deep!

[kingfisher2]

I have to agree with our Michigan Lake expert here. Round is deeper and doesn't have any structure. I have fished it three times and caught only small pike. The north end of Big Manistee Lake has a public launch with natural springs just to the right of it. It's about 100-150 yards to the right of the launch in the reeds. The big pike lay in there during the hot weather. Try using 3/4-1 1/2 oz red and white spinner baits. Sometimes chartruse and orange ones work better.

Good luck

Marc

[ESOX]

I don't know if she is booked up or not, but this is a great place to stay.
Pike, Smallies, walleye and muskies are available. Cabin is really cool too.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56109&highlight=cabin+rent

[longline]

I fished Juno and painter and the other lake without a bite but there were tourneys going on. have any of you fished there and any fish? if so how?and what? and hey catch one for me:help: :)

[Ausable Junkie]

The ausable river system has your choice of 6 backwater ponds to fish.
ALL contain walleye, perch, gills, etc. Some stretches of river mainflow
in between these ponds also have rainbows, browns, and
brookies.

I would suggest a mid-week outing to keep from fighting the crowds.

[Papa_Ron]

I don't know if she is booked up or not, but this is a great place to stay.
Pike, Smallies, walleye and muskies are available. Cabin is really cool too.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56109&highlight=cabin+rent

I've been on Lake Bellaire in Antrim County. Where is 'that' place in Antrim? Which lake?

[kingfisher 11]

If its Linda's, then it would be Intermediate lake. Good lake for pike, walleye and bass. Fished all the lakes in Antrim and Charlevoix county when I was growing up.

Fished otsego a week ago and had no problem getting 3-4 walleye every night.

[Papa_Ron]

If its Linda's, then it would be Intermediate lake. Good lake for pike, walleye and bass. Fished all the lakes in Antrim and Charlevoix county when I was growing up.

Fished otsego a week ago and had no problem getting 3-4 walleye every night.

Hmm...I've looked around a bit on the Internet looking through Antrim County and have yet to find any mention or information on an "Intermediate Lake". Maybe I just haven't found the right site yet.

Uh oh...wait a minute...guess I spoke too soon. Yep, that must be it..."Intermediate (Central) Lake", Antrim County.

Okay...nevermind.:bash: