Waloon Lake ??

[dartag]

Looks like the wife has a conference in Petoskey later this year.   Might have to take my boat to keep me occupied.  Been looking around and can't find a boat launch on Walloon lake.  Anyone ever fish it or other lakes around there.

[Slipkey]

Looks like there's a nice one one here with parking just up the street:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.2644852,-84.9330462,114m/data=!3m1!1e3


My Navionics map shows this one, but it doesn't look like it has much in the way of parking:
https://www.google.com/maps/@45.264799,-85.0008711,311m/data=!3m1!1e3

[gmetime24]

I have not fished this lake but I work about once a week in Petoskey. Most customers I talk to about fishing always mention Walloon lake. They aren't always bass fishing but it sounds like a nice fishing lake. Others I hear good things about are crooked and pickeral lakes

[Quack]

It's been a couple of years so I may be a little off, but I think I put in on a small public launch off 131 on the north end of the lake.  No launch fee if I remember correctly.  There is a small store on the east side of 131 before you get there, they pointed me toward the launch.  It was a steep ramp but paved with 10-15 parking spots.  Good luck.

[TheFishinPollock]

Gruler road off 131  just outa Petoskey south.    Really good launch. single but plenty of parking. It is one of our NBAA lakes and our first lake of the year this year.  Lota big smallies in that lake and no one really fishes for them. They mainly stick to walleye.   Lota deep weed flats and bare drops.

[dartag]

Thanks FP.   I google earthed it and that will work. 

[bwebber]

Dartag,

As FP stated the Gruler Rd. launch is the best launch on the lake, once you put in you'll be in the East arm of the lake.  The fishing is really good, both Largemouth and Smallie's fish the big flats and the drops as FP said.  Depending on when you come up, you can fish the flats with rattle baits and jerkbaits and the are numerous off shore weed beds that you can DS and Tube.  If you come in early June depending on this springs weather you should have fish on beds. I fish this lake regularly, give me a call if you want.  989-350-1301

Webber

[djkimmel]

Is that Gruler Rd ramp fairly new? I don't remember seeing that when I was up there a few seasons ago? I launched off of M-75 for a small fee and slightly awkward getting there, parking and walking across and down Windsor.

[bwebber]

Yes, the Gruler Rd. launch is new, the DNR used some of the DNR Trust fund to put it in two years ago now. It is a single ramp and can get busy on summer afternoons with the pleasure boaters.  Sometimes you'll wait for them, but you'll be entertained as well!  It has a park with covered picnic area and nice bathrooms.

Hardly any fishing guys use the M-75 Walloon Village ramp, it's primarily all please boats there.

Webber

[djkimmel]

I remember reading updates now about the progress of that boat ramp. I lost track of it but thought I had remembered reading that it was going to get bought and built. Haven't been up there in that corner I guess in 3 years now other than to Charlevoix or Elk/Torch. Good to know it did get built and it looks nice.

[dartag]

Found out it is mid October. The wife has a Paranormal Fair in petosky.  I get to drive her and will have to fish a couple days.

[bwebber]

Dartag,

Walloon is really good, you're sure to have a good time.

Webber

[motocross269]

That North launch was very nice but it was really shallow for quite a ways out last year so be careful...It is also fairly shallow where that arm splits out into the main lake so pay attention to the bouys and watch your electronics....

Walloon is a fun lake to fish with lots of different ways to catch them.....

Either one of the launches on Walloon require a little walk after parking...Not a big deal though...

[FOB]

Make sure you go into the general store in Walloon, ask for the owner Linda, and get the Walloon sandwich.  ( wife's cousin )  Also, just 10 mins. N/E is Crooked and Pickeral which are the start of the Burt/Mullett chain.  Mid Oct. you should slay the smallies.

[dartag]

Thanks Ralph done the chain of lakes many times before I started bass fishing.  Might have to work that in. 

[djkimmel]

Crooked and Pickerel are always fun for a day side trip. Fairly easy. Sometimes multi-species. I haven't been back up to Walloon yet to try the sandwich. On my list.