Channels

[red68prostreet]

I have seen zero reports this yr on if the channels are producing fish yet. Does anyone have an update? Was thinking of going out this fri to try them.

[Skulley]

Haven't seen them probably because they really don't turn on unless the weatherman can string together a few 90 degree days in a row.  If you're going there Friday, post a report and let us know what's going on up there.  I was planning on going there Saturday, but I am fishing a tournament Saturday instead.  Maybe next week.


BD                 

[red68prostreet]

BD,
      I did as you suggested despite being told numerous times that the water was not warm enough for the channels. My buddies and I tried for approx. 2 hrs drifting. Zip, nada, nothing except a few lost rigs stuck on the bottom. Tried several areas of the lake that have produced in the past and in 5 hrs only caught 3 fish. Not a good day for our group. All in all it was still fun to get out.
       At the ramp talked with two guys who has been perch fishing. They quit because they could not keep the smallies off their hooks. Great! I have all the latest and greatest in tackle and lures and they were using a $3 box of worms, LOL. That's the way it goes. One important note they mentioned was they were fishing the mouth of the channel. If the smallies are following their meals could a warm up turn the channels on?
        Tight lines!!

[Golden Ghost]

BD,
      I did as you suggested despite being told numerous times that the water was not warm enough for the channels. My buddies and I tried for approx. 2 hrs drifting. Zip, nada, nothing except a few lost rigs stuck on the bottom. Tried several areas of the lake that have produced in the past and in 5 hrs only caught 3 fish. Not a good day for our group. All in all it was still fun to get out.
       At the ramp talked with two guys who has been perch fishing. They quit because they could not keep the smallies off their hooks. Great! I have all the latest and greatest in tackle and lures and they were using a $3 box of worms, LOL. That's the way it goes. One important note they mentioned was they were fishing the mouth of the channel. If the smallies are following their meals could a warm up turn the channels on?
        Tight lines!!

PM sent

[Skulley]

Sounds like the fish are staging up to come into the channels. Some warm days strung together will get them up there. I'm hoping to get there next weekend either Sunday or Monday. Hopefully the weather will get warm enough on consecutive days to get them up there and active. I will post a report if I get there.


BD.                             

[Dan]

Are you talking about north channel, middle, etc. or the canals?

[Skulley]

Good point Dan.........but I am generalizing so I'm talking about all of them. I have areas in each channel where I can gauge migration and how far if at all they are even up there very far from St. Clair. But then how far down from Huron have the fish come. But then you have to take into account resident fish and how they are moving. Those fish can spawn in Fisher or Muscamoot and then head right back up the river. I don't have any conclusive data that any of the channels turn on any sooner than any of the others. But I would probably start in the South Channel right now. This year so far because we are experiencing a "spring all summer long" year, I would tend to spend the limited time I have at the mouths of the channels or start fishing the Lower Detroit River. Usually in years like this, the Detroit River starts early. At that point I have abandoned St. Clair and gone to Erie instead depending on weather patterns and how they can change. We have had some unseasonably cool nights this year. But if you still have your infatuation for St. Clair, go out on the Mile Roads in 16 fow and drag drop shots and tubes. I hear they're killing 'em out there. 


BD.                           

[WayneC]

The St. Clair River and the Channels are in a constant state of change. From what I've seen we are about a week behind normal. Normal in the river has been pretty weak the last few years though. I was just up there and found three pound class smallies in 30 feet of water and ended up getting one over five on some shallow structure (you can see that on www.basstothefuture.com). Only two out of eight spots really worked out so there is some hunting involved.