Lake Leelanau

[jkola404]

I am hoping to hit up Lake Leelanau one of the next couple weeks, I was looking for a little advice of where to start and what to use for bait. Hoping for some nice eye's thanks

[STEINFISHSKI]

I'll be up that way the week before Memorial Day and wondering which lakes near there to try for eyes as well. I was thinking crawler harnesses by then, but would value any input as I never fished that area. Thanks, Tim.

[Whit1]

I have an article that, in part, coverings the fishing opportunities on Lake Leelanau. I'll send it to Steve for posting. Stein: Long Lake, near Interlochen has walleye opportunities.

[TheFlyfisher]

Jkola404 @ Steinfishski: I fish there quite a bit because my dad has a cabin on the lake down 643. Fish right in Lake Leelanua off of Hwy.204. There is a bait shop on the right and a launch. I suggest to go across the road to the city park and doesn,t cost nothing to launch. There is a store called N.J Grocery there that has night crawlers. Dicks Pour House on the corner has pretty good food also.
At night fish with crawler harnesses or jigs tipped with minnows right in front of St. Mary,s church across from the city launch. In the day head south down the lake to what they call the cow pasture. From the city launch go left and go slow because it is about 2' deep in some areas. Look for 2 small boyes and go between them and you will be fine. It,s about 3 miles up the lake on the right. Crawler Harnesses and jigs tipped with minnows work well there to. There is a rustic launch down 643 straight down the road Dicks Pour House is on and once you pass Lake Leelanua Campground it,s about 2 miles down the road. It is cement but steep. That area is a good place for eyes also. The campground is a nice place to camp and Don the owner is very nice.
Glen Lake is another good lake in Glen Arbor. The boat launch is off of HWY. 109 and take Day Forest Road. Same thing with the bait but try other things also, whatever works.
Hope I helped some. Also you can try thru the narrows. Go right from the city launch and go slow also and that will lead you to the north part of the lake towards Leland. Good fishing there also.
Mike

[DaveW731]

We vacation every year on the Southern part of LL, about 2 miles North of the Ceder River, on the west shore. If you go that far south, there are some clearly defined drop offs and points that follow the shoreline. As you approach what appears to be the southern end of the lake, you will notice that the drop off now curves and runs east/west. Following the drop off line has usually been productive, with the exact depth depending on weather, pressure, etc. There continues to be a debate, between the leech users and the crawler users. Also, if you are interested in some variety, I have caught some seriously big bluegills just on the shallow side of the drop off. The water is crystal clear, thanks to the zebra mussels, so think finesse. Drifting, if the wind is right, either with slip bobbers or not, sometimes produces more than trolling.
Hope this helps

[sfw1960]

I've been wanting to try Leelanau for years!
I finally got my own boat this year - so ALL YOU GUYS
I expect a full report !!!!!!
let me know how you guys fare when you go -- I check here ALMOST daily - so post 'em up when ya get your come uppins' ...


Robert

[Mapes]

the ultimate lure for walleyes...I would know, I have a cottage there...
Every time we want a sure fire fish fry, we go to the mouth of the Cedar river...Cast white curly tail jigs with pink jig heads,slowly bounce them and drift..We had 3 guys in the boat and all had our limits within an hour.

[Leelanauman]

Just to let you know....Lake Leelanau is a tough lake to fish. Right now your best bet is to fish the narrows area around saint Mary's church, fish this area after dark. You can also fish the drop offs and you will catch fish. Also some great Smallmouth fishing on the eastern shore and southern end of the lake.

[ALLEYES]

I have done very well drifting 1/8 oz pearl jigs tipped with leeches in the narrows during the morning hours.