Where to fish pre-season?

[TCook]

what lakes do you guys fish in northern Indiana up until michigans opening day? Or is there any michigan lakes that are open early? I need to find some water to fish legally for bass until the season opens.

Tim

[Revtro]

Unfortunately they closed the MI lakes that were open early when they set the new CIR season.  Seems kind of silly too because years of fishing those 6 lakes early didn't seem to hurt anything.  But at least we get to fish the whole state a little earlier.

[Durand Dan]

I've fished James and Sylvan as soon as early as mid Feb in Northern Indiana. It's just a few hours drive. The high thee to day is supposed to be 52°. They should have some soft water soon.

[thedude]

wawasee & syracuse, maxinkuckee or st joe river in IN.

[1javelin]

or st joe river in IN.

St. Joe River in Indy?  Is it half as dangerous as here?  If it's feasible, I'm all in for some smallies!!!!

[thedude]

maggies landing in Mishawaka is right above the dam.. you can run several miles up stream before it turns into "st. joe" river. Fishes more like a lake than a river in that area and you get more current/shallower  as you head up stream. I've fished 40 boat FOM tournies there.  The big smallies are typically caught way up stream where not everyone can get to. but there's plenty of LM and SM in the lower stretches too. Expect a lot of 11 3/4 inch fish (size limit is 12" lol).


i might sneak out there on the 31st with an old buddy or 2 from IN...... unless Lasalle FWA is thawed out...
lasalle is about an hour SW of South bend on the kankakee river.... they have a diked river bayou that is all wood and swamp.... shallow w/ a dark bottom... prespawn there can be really good... i saw a 9lber come out of there a few years back. i'd take a tin boat & trollin motor though if i were you

[1javelin]

Tin boat won't work, since I don't have one.  20' Javelin w/ a 200 horse Johnson work?   Sounds like a few options.  I like the river fishing like a lake part.  How hard is it to navigate upriver, and will it really be that hard right now with all of the rain and snow melting and the water levels being so high?

[Chewy]

I'm curious about James Lake.  I was surfing and found they have a State Park there that has hotel rooms and a pool.  I was wondering if anyone has been there before.  Would it be an OK place to take the family while I fished in James?  And one final question, does it have smallies?  Thanks for any help on this.

Jeff Nieuwenhuis     

[thedude]

Tin boat won't work, since I don't have one.  20' Javelin w/ a 200 horse Johnson work?   Sounds like a few options.  I like the river fishing like a lake part.  How hard is it to navigate upriver, and will it really be that hard right now with all of the rain and snow melting and the water levels being so high?

from the ramp to about a mile upstream its more like a lake.  plenty of depth too. Once you get up into the river you just stick to the middle and you'll be fine. I ran 19' avalanche all over no worries.... if it were july you'd be fighting of skiers if that puts things into perspective. I've run up as far as the hospital (i think its a hospital..nice concrete breakwall fyi )


here's the dam... the launch is in the middle of the pic an you have to head east to fish...

[dhuff]

Yes, Lake James does have smallies and some really nice ones at that.  I have fished down there quite a bit also Rufus may be coming in on this one he lives not to far from there.  He was the NBAA director one of the years for the Lake James division that my buddy and I used to go down and fish.  You can get to 6 lakes that are on the chain.  All of them offer some pretty decent fishing.  Summer time TONS of boats and jet skiers.  Once ice gets off there is some good fishing to be had.  I always enjoyed going down there and fishing, there is water to suit anyones style.

[macbass]

chewy the park at lake james also has cabins you can rent also not just the motel and it is a real nice place and right on the water..deer will come right up to the cabin doors

[1javelin]

Might have to try that sooner than I want too!!!  Still need to be spending money on gear and tackle, not on gas, oil, and being on the water.

[Chewy]

I appreciate the insight on the park.  It really looks like a nice place and reasonably priced.  Too bad Michigan does not have anything like that.  Hope to get down there during the prespawn/spawn.  Thanks again.

[Duke]

There's a nice article on the St. Joe River on this site. Just go to the homepage and look at the articles. I think I met the author once - nothing short of a spectacular guy!!

[TCook]

Looks like me and my partner 1javelin will try to fish maggies landing section of the St. Joe wednesday assuming the ice is off. We would go tommorrow but gotta get our rods and the boat ready, and get an indiana license. Any advice on what to do out there this early in the year? Im thinking gold buddies and Jigs might get a few bites.

Tim

[thedude]

its good cranking/jerkin water.

might try a big roadkill colored tube on a light jig too.

ice should be good... el rio grande here in GR is wide open now.

[Duke]

Buddies can be a good choice, but you'll lose a lot of them and/or catch a lot of limbs. Jerkbaits would be a good choice. Look for areas that have a break from current. Slow moving baits might be the ticket as well, such as small tubes and/or jigs. I'm heading out Sunday, but I expect the bass action to be real slow.

I have heard that the current is very strong right now so be careful and wear your lifejacket!

[rufus]

Chewy,
I sent you a PM on Lake James. I live in northern Indiana and fish most of the lakes so if anyone is venturing this way for some early fishing let me know and I will help out as much as I can.

[PIGSMALLIE]

Best place would be Six Span stretch of the St. Joe River.

[TCook]

Going to fish somewhere in Indiana on Sunday was thinking the maggies stretch of the Joe. Has anyone been there if so whats the current like, and what pattern were they on?