Looking for a place to fish late July

[6 lb Smallmouth]

It's cold and I won't be fishing for a couple months so it's the perfect time to think about fishing trips for next summer.

My wife and I are looking for somewhere to go the last week of July for 3-4 days in Michigan.  We were thinking of a 1-room family lodge sort of place and I don't want to spend much more than $100 per night.  I don't want to drive much further than 4 hours so that limits me to no farther north than Cadillac or northeast of Flint.  I suppose if the place was perfect, I would drive farther.  Basically anything in the south and western part of the state would be fine.

Since it's gonna be late July I am looking for a largemouth lake that I can fish some slop, lilly pads, and/or docks.  I don't wanna be dropshotting smallies in 30' of water on a lake I am not familiar with.  Anything come to mind?  I'm already fishing GTB in June so I need another trip to look forward to.  Thanks for any suggestions.  Paul

[Waterfoul]

You could stay in the Muskegon/Whitehall area and fish both Muskegon and White Lakes.  Both offer what you are looking for.

Or for that matter, get a place in Cadillac and fish Cad/Mitchell. 

[Mike S.]

I would say the same as Waterfoul. Muskegon and White are full of slop to fish during that time of year. Regardless of what people say, there are a lot of fish in both lakes. Not to mention, there are a ton of places to stay around here. Campgrounds, cabins, hotels. Plenty to do for the family as well. You will just want to make sure you don't come here during Bike Time. You will never find a place to stay. I might evennknow a guy that could find you a nice place to stay. He lives REAL close to Muskegon Lake. Let me know what you decide to do.

[Mike S.]

I just checked the Bike Time website. It runs from July 18th through the 21st.

[Got Fish??]

 Hello JerkBate. I Don't know where your coming from,but. Why not go another 40 minnets and stay just out of TraversCity. You will be surrounded by an oray of premium bass lakes. Large and smallmouth,plus walleye,pike and musky. Lodging  costs less, as long as you stay out of the city limits. Plus downtown is cool. And there is always TurtelCreek.

[6 lb Smallmouth]

Thanks guys for your advice.

Muskegon is a place I've wanted to fish for a while.  Seems kinda busy though.  Any place on the water you'd recommend staying at?  I agree Got Fish that TC is great place to go but I just didn't want to drive that far with my wife and 2-year old.  I might just go back to Lake George since that was a place we enjoyed several years ago.  I was just wondering if anybody had some specific places to stay at.  Good fishing. 

[Dan]

Stay at Ludington. You are again in an area with several great lakes with Hamlin Lake at its center. Plenty of places to stay on the lake itself as well as places in Ludington. You have the Lake Michigan beach, the casino only 35 minutes away, a nice old downtown with lots of shops, and a multi species lake, Hamlin. If I were taking my wife, and two year old, I'd opt for Ludington over Muskegon, no question, not even a close call.

[Waterfoul]

If you were to stay in Ludington, Pere Marquette lake might be a bit small on the map, but it is LOADED with smallies.  Ludington is right on it's shore.  You could even take a short cruise on Lake Michigan if the weather cooperates.  Beautiful dunes and sites to see.

If you wanted to stay ON the water in the Muskegon/White lake area, there is a really nice resort on White Lake called the Lakeside Inn.  Very quaint, has it's own restaurant, and a boat ramp.  I know a few others on this site have stayed there and really liked it.

[Mike S.]

Muskegon can be a busy lake. The trick is to get out early if you want the lake to yourself, and a typically good morning bite. It is a good fishery. There are a lot of good fish there. Common sense catches fish there. I have learned so much about that lake just in the last 3 years. There is an abundance of junk to fish. You just have to look for it.

[bigjc]

You could stay in the Muskegon/Whitehall area and fish both Muskegon and White Lakes.  Both offer what you are looking for.

Or for that matter, get a place in Cadillac and fish Cad/Mitchell. 

Lodging in the Muskegon and White Lake area is rediculously expensive, but the Cadillac/Mitchell idea is a good one.  There is reasonable lodging and decent food right in between the two lakes, and a good launch.