Lake St Clair

[IU7038]

I have been reading about the great smallmouth fishing on LSC and decided to take my 11 year old son up to this lake for 3 days before school starts. We are from central Indiana and really have no clue on what to use or where to fish and catch smallmouth. We fish dirty water lakes that we flip and pitch and that does not sound like what you guys do up there. Any community holes or info that would help me put my son on a 3 pounder would make my trip great! We are camping at the campground in algonac, MI
I thank you for any help I can get and God bless

[bassfan586]

Straight out from the camground in american water is a start thats close.  You will have to play with water depth to find them though.  Drop shots tubes or crankbaits dependong on depth.

[Skulley]

When does school start in Indiana??  You will probably want to launch your boat at the DNR Launch south of the state park which is where I assume you guys are going to camp.  Are you planning on a weekday trip??  If you do come up and depending on when you are fishing, I would be happy to show you myself.  You can follow me around and I can show you some stuff that would be considered community.  I have been launching and fishing up there the last couple of times out.  I have done pretty well.  I would be happy to help any Dad that would bring his son up here for a trip to the worlds best smallmouth bass water.       My son is 12 so I understand what you are looking to do.  Let me know when you are coming and I will PM you some info if I can't show you myself.


BD                            

[IU7038]

I thank you guys for the info but the boss put her foot down last night and looks like the trip will be canceled:(
Thank you and god bless.

[Firefighter Jeff]

I thank you guys for the info but the boss put her foot down last night and looks like the trip will be canceled:(
Thank you and god bless.

  Yikes !!   

[Skulley]

I thank you guys for the info but the boss put her foot down last night and looks like the trip will be canceled:(
Thank you and god bless.

I guess we know who wears the pants in that family. I feel bad for the kid. But you know the old saying, "If Momma ain't happy, nobodies happy. If Dad ain't happy, who cares!!".   


BD.                       

[IU7038]

You are correct! Dad is not happy..but do you think that she cares? It's too much before school starts dont you know..$#%&!

[Skulley]

I want to help you out here. Does the kid want to go?? If so, have him go tell Mom that he wants to go and that it would be a great way to finish off the summer before school starts. He can say something like "I want to go back to school with great fishing stories to tell the guys Mom." No guarantee that she will buy into it but if he really wants to go, he will have to sell it. Your odds of making the trip just went up. Good luck and let us know if you were able to get that done. Sometimes a little Father/Son scheming goes a long way.





BD.                         

[IU7038]

Blieve me we tried..and then she came to me and said nice try! She knows us to well, we have pulled things like that in the past! Maybe we can make it up there one weekend this fall. I hope they bite good then also.

[Revtro]

Aw, that's too bad.  If things change or if you can get up here on a weekend, please let us know.  Several of us would be happy to help you out. 

[IU7038]

Thanks guys..I just need a weekend or two of kissin butt and maybe i will get that weekend pass.I look forward to making some great memories.

[Skulley]

Thanks guys..I just need a weekend or two of kissin butt and maybe i will get that weekend pass.I look forward to making some great memories.

It's cheaper to keep her bro!!!!   


BD                             

[willettizer13]

How's the smally fishing in early September?

[Revtro]

Usually pretty solid in the channels and river.  The lake gets tough.

[willettizer13]

Thanks!  Can't wait to get up there.

[djkimmel]

I think the fishing on Lake St. Clair is pretty good all year. Unlike going places where the fishing 'was good last week' or 'good in [state your good month], the fishing Lake St. Clair is good all every week or every month. I LOVE fall fishing on Lake St. Clair! More of my best trips have been in the fall! Pretty much everywhere in Michigan including St. Clair.

[willettizer13]

That's awesome!  We can't wait to get up there.  We are staying around 13 mile rd.  What's the closest ramp to that area that is open to the public?  I have found a Metro Park marina launch area.  Is there any such thing as a free launch ramp?  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

[blakstr1]

the Crocker launch or Harley Ensign...either are good

[Skulley]

That's awesome!  We can't wait to get up there.  We are staying around 13 mile rd.  What's the closest ramp to that area that is open to the public?  I have found a Metro Park marina launch area.  Is there any such thing as a free launch ramp?  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

Not in Michigan.  They all cost money to launch at.  Most are around $10.  Depending how many times you are going to fish while you are here, a DNR launch pass for the season my be what you need.  If you are coming in September, I don't think you will have to worry too much as they don't man the launches with attendants after Labor Day except on weekends.


BD                           

[djkimmel]

That's awesome!  We can't wait to get up there.  We are staying around 13 mile rd.  What's the closest ramp to that area that is open to the public?  I have found a Metro Park marina launch area.  Is there any such thing as a free launch ramp?  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

Are you a Michigan resident? If yes, did you buy the Recreational Passport with you 2012 tow vehicle license registration (little P on your plate sticker)?

If you answer yes to both questions, you can use the MDNR Clinton River Cutoff BAS for free off Jefferson just South of Crocker Blvd.

MDNR sites are the least expensive at $6 per day for residents ($8 per day if you are a nonresident) if someone is manning the booth when you get there. Otherwise, free though some part-time staff may try to collect from you when you leave but as BD said, they usually only are at the booth on weekends in September. Sometimes not even then.

Answers about the MDNR Recreational Passport for residents and nonresidents.

You will pay $8 to $10 per launch at pretty much all the other public ramps to either the Metroparks or the local government running each ramp. It is possible a local ramp may have a higher fee for nonresidents also.