TC Area

[8pt172]

Hello, I am new to this forum.  I have read many great threads and learned some valuable information. THX  I was an avid fisherman for the first 35 years of my life, but sold my Bass Cat and started a family (2000-2015)...Now I have recently purchased a new 16' G3 deep V boat and am getting back into fishing big-time.

My question is a very general one...not looking for secrets: 

I will be taking my 2 kids to TC for a week of camping and fishing June 13-19. We will be staying at the State Park.  I have fished the East Bay with some decent success.  Also had good success on Long Lake.  That is the extent of my northern fishing trips, but that was several years ago.  I am looking just to catch fish, preferably smallmouth.  I know depending on water temps, early or late spring, etc will have a big impact on the spawn and fish location. 

If anyone could recommend a couple smaller bodies of water that hold good numbers of SMB.  I can do the rest.  When the weather cooperates, I plan on hitting the East and West Bays, Little Traverse Bay, and Skegemog. when the winds won't allow me on the Great Lakes I was looking at Charlevoix, Walloon, Crooked, and Pickerel as possible waters to try.....

Thanks, Jim

[TheFishinPollock]

You pretty much have the lakes you are going to need to hit covered. Elk and Torch are also good lakes. Green lake has smallies and is out of the wind. Charlie will be windy on the north lake if the bays are windy. Waloon can get gnarly also depending on wind direction. 

Make sure to send me a message a few days before you get up here. I can shoot by with some waypoints for you to use on all those bodies of water.  I might even have a secret lake for you to fish on if the wind is real bad, but you will need 4 wheel drive to get in and out.

I'm the only member of GLB up here that I know of.


Matt "the polock" Novak

[8pt172]

Thanks Matt,

I will definitely give you a bump before I head up that way.  I am really looking forward to seeing what the TC area has to offer during that time of the year.  I hear and see so many great reports about the Brown Bass fishing up there.  I was a Big Green Bass Hunter before selling my boat.  My personal best is 10.79 from Blue Cypress in FL... My personal best in MI is 7.64# after spitting up a 6 inch perch.....I haven't caught a Brown one that will tip 5#....

[LennyB]

Ditto to what Matt said. I wouldn't worry about finding to more lakes. The ones you mentioned are good lakes and big bodies of water. They will take many trips to really learn and  fish them.

[djkimmel]

Yes... you have the best of them covered pretty much already!

[thedude]

intermediate is good if its windy. bellaire you can also get out of the wind. both great lakes.

[8pt172]

Thanks for the recommendations, much appreciated.