Leelanau

[6 lb Smallmouth]

So I am staying in Sutton's Bay for a couple weeks in June and I will be primarily fishing the Bays.  Since Leelanau will be so close, I was wondering what the lake is like.  A guide I was talking to recommended the lake.  What are your thoughts?  Is it mostly smallmouth or largemouth?  Cover?  Structure?  Clarity?  Any info is appreciated.  Thanks.  Paul

[Waterfoul]

Gin clear water.  You will find some weeds on the south end of the south lake.  There are also rocks and points to be fished.  Both species do well here, and there is some great walleye fishing to be had too.

[djkimmel]

I've only fished the South lake a couple times and caught both smallies and largemouth bass fishing points and weedlines along with any cover near the drop offs. Should still be bass on beds probably up on flats and in the sand in June depending on the rest of this spring's weather.

[6 lb Smallmouth]

Thanks for the info gents. 

Thought the lake was more popular. 

[TheFishinPollock]

That is one of my favorite lakes to fish here at home.

The south lake is like a flooded river . Drops full of weeds down to 20 -30 foot, Flats full of weeds . Lots of bait fish in the south arm.  The east shore across from the RV park in either direction is where I have done my most damage. Coupla feeder creeks dump in along that shore . The south end is a giant 10 foot deep flat that runs out to 30 -40 foot. It's covered in cabbage and has the Ceder river dumping into it. The north end is narrower and more of a gentle slope out to the main channel .   I use alota spinner baits and suspending jerks on the South Arm. The water is a bit darker .

As for the north arm. It is crystal clear. Very sharp drop offs with points full of rocks.   Just about any point will do.  There is a giant sandbar that runs almost across the lake in the north end jutting out from the east shoreline.    The south end of the lake is a giant flat in the SE corner and a good weedy drop on the west shore to the left of the channel comming out of south lake.    Most drops are bare untill you get out to 20 foot. Then there is a weedline and lots of logs from early days.    Cemetary point on both sides is one of my favorite spots . Drop shots , tubes and divers work best .

You will find more numbers in the south arm and bigger fish up in the north arm.   The are massive and plentyful eye's with lakers in the north arm and brows in the south.  There is also a huge perch population in both lakes. 

[DeanV]

Thanks for this post.  I have the opportunity to use time a friends time share in The Homestead whenever I want in the fall and was wondering if any of the lakes around there were good for bass. I camp on Silver and know about Duck and Green, but do not know anything about the ones closer to Glenn Arbor. 

[BIGSHOW]

Thanks for the info. I have a place on bass lake and i've always wanted to fish it. I've been venturing out to silver and long lake here and there. I've done ok on each but am trying to learn the two lakes.

[6 lb Smallmouth]

Thanks for the info.  Looks like I'll have to check it out! 

[fishindave]

site fishing on the north lake is tough, hard to spot beds.  I have caught many over 5lbs on both ends, the N Lake is gin clear, south is average clarity.  Done well with tubes and cranks, where the cranks dig the bottom in 1'-15', pending on the time of year.  I don't get there any more, miss it a lot.

[BIGSHOW]

I was just past the lake in fishtown by the dam. Not sure if that connects to the lake. But man there were some giants in site by the dam. Some guy was there catching them from shore