Northern Lake Michigan Smallies

[Skulley]

In the June 2012 issue of In-Fisherman Magazine in the "Bits & Pieces" section, there is an article about smallies up around the the Beaver Island Archipelago. It is an article about field research done in that area pertaining to smallmouth migration patterns during pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn periods in 2008. Anyone on the forum ever fish up there?? It's on page 8. Check it out.



BD.                   

[Redbone]

It was a pretty good article.

[Skulley]

A short article but concise and right to the point. Got a pretty good idea about what's going on out there. I sure would like to give it a try.



BD.                     

[bigmojet]

Do a search on forum topic Wilderness State Park i believe in Great Lakes fishing a couple months back as this is the same general area.

In fisherman show i just watched they were fly fishing for carp in the shsllows surrounding Beaver Island.

[customfishn]

I have heard thats great fishing.  How far of a run is it out there?  Heard of people talking of making the run from Manistee.

[bigmojet]

I think you mean Manistique in the UP.

[bigmojet]

If the Elites end up at Bay de nocs for the mystery tournament i wonder if any would try to make the 60-70 mile run to beaver island? I bet end of June would be loaded with shallow fish.

[Skulley]

I am sure if the weather is right, someone will make that run.


BD.                       

[jgip087]

It's a long_____ way across that lake from Charlevoix (40ish miles), which is the closest port.  You can KILL them though! They are hard to find but once you do there are hundreds grouped together.

I highly doubt anyone would ever run from the Bays de Noc to Beaver Island because they beat the fishing at Beaver any day.  Once I figured the fish out on Little Bay de Noc, I never wanted to leave.  You can catch 100-200 fish a day there in the heat of the summer over 3.5 pounds.  During practice, I caught a 28 pound bag one day and a 30 pound sack on another day while not even trying (a 35 pound bag is not out of the question if the Elites do there because those guys are the best).  I ended up getting drug to the Big Bay during the tournament because I was a co-angler but my pre-fishing partner took his boater to my secondary spot and was leading the tournament with about 25 pounds on the first day and Brandon was fishing the same spot I found and caught 23 pounds a day and tons of bass on the first 2 days.  You will never cull more 4 pounders anywhere!  The Big Bay is the place to go if you want to absolutely slay 3-3.5 pounders with the occassional 4 or 5 pounder mixed in.

[djkimmel]

If the Elites end up at Bay de nocs for the mystery tournament i wonder if any would try to make the 60-70 mile run to beaver island? I bet end of June would be loaded with shallow fish.

I hope not. Bass season won't be open at the islands until 7/1/2012 - the last day of the Elite Series mystery tournament. There is no catch and release at the Beaver Islands archipelago before the restrictive season begins on July 1.

Always check the latest MDNR fishing guide and regulations for changes and information about any new areas you might try before you go fishing each season.

Note 2 - Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Pg 7
On L. Michigan, within one-half mile of the following islands of the Beaver Island Archipelago: Beaver, Garden, High and Hog, (Charlevoix Co.) the open season is July 1 - Dec. 31, (see p. 16).

Exceptions to General Regulations by County Pg 16
CHARLEVOIX: On L. Michigan, within one-half mile of the following islands of the Beaver Island Archipelago: Beaver, Garden, High and Hog the open season for largemouth and smallmouth bass is July 1 - Dec. 31 (no catch and release season prior to July 1).

Apparently, the fishing was much better in the good old days when people kept their bass so the not smart bass around the islands were taking a beating. Could be a combination of lower fertility and fishing? Not sure since it is not the most accessible place to fish. I have heard a few people mention that the bass fishing has improved quite a bit. Could be the regs. Could be the high voluntary release rate anglers practice in general now. Could be there's so much great bass fishing easier to get to that the fishing pressure at the islands is really low.

[djkimmel]

There are other restrictive, specialized and boundary water regs you might want to know if you ever target waters between states and/or the Upper Peninsula.

[Skulley]

Can't you take a ferry across to Beaver Island and launch on the island??


BD.                   

[djkimmel]

I've had some people tell me that is what they did. I've thought about it, but the cost seems to not be worth driving by all that great bass fishing on the way there for me so far.

[Skulley]

It's $80 to $100 for vehicle for each way depending on peak or non-peak season from Charlevoix. I can see what you mean. Splitting the cost between 2 or 3 people would make it more economical but at the same time, you have to add $24 a person to that each way. Trailer cost is determined on trailer dimension. Beaver Island Ferry Company. So I would say its pricy.


BD.                       

[Got Fish??]

I'm sure it's all Worth it but. With all the cost line Lake Mich. and the GreandTraverss Bay area. Their should be enough legal fishing spots to go around. Hey UAW, I'm ready! Let's go.