Need some help from my Michigan friends

[Firefighter Jeff]

   Hey guys,

   A friend of mine from high school who lives in Indianapolis asked me for some information on lake houses and good places to fish for a July/August vacation. Looks like they have some experience at fishing but will be using a pontoon boat. Looks like they are interested in TC or farther north.
   My first suggestion was Elk Lake, thinking it was a nice lake and they could travel into Skegmog for some fishing success. I told her I had a couple places I could post for more help.  I have fished some of the lakes she mentions but not during the summer.  The following is a capitulation of her FB messaging.

     Thanks in advance for your help.   Jeff


Hey Jeff,  Larry and I have been searching for a lake place to rent anytime in July/early August in northern Michigan.  We're making it a family trip before our son Chandler leaves for college.  Larry and chandler looooooove to fish.  My daughter and I do too, but not quite as much. We're looking for places up around Leelanau or Lake Charlevoix.  Good fishing is the #1 priority.  Do you know how the fishing might be on Lake Charlevoix, Lake Leelanau or Walloon Lake?  If not, any suggestions on really nice lakes that have great fishing but are also close to other areas (the Dunes, little shops/restaurants, etc)?Larry and Chandler are most interested in small and large mouth bass, walleye and maybe northern pike.  That said, throwing a line out and catching a good amount of fish, no matter what the species, isn't bad either.  Chandler just doesn't want to get skunked!  We prefer a lake that isn't entirely remote.  In other words, there are plenty of other cottages/homes around.  We don't want a crazy sport lake (i.e. Diamond, Magician and the like).  Probably something in between with good spots to fish but maybe a hour or so on a jet ski if the kids want, too.  I pretty much assume early morning till lunch and then later in the afternoon through dusk will be the prime fishing hours.  We're willing to pay premium price for a nice house for the week.  We've been looking on VRBO but just aren't' sure which lakes provide the best fishing. We're going to rent a pontoon for the week.  We rented a house and boat up there years ago on a smaller lake, but the fishing wasn't great.  We won't need a guide (Larry used to have a bass boat and is usually good about finding spots on the lake from locals, etc).  We're just not sure WHICH lake to focus on this time around.  Don't go to a any trouble on this -- just thought if you know. Really appreciate all your help.  Larry and Chandler have taken some fishing trips in the past (Houghton lake, etc) but this time our daughter and her boyfriend also hope to join us, our search is a little more refined than what it would be for only a fishing trip.

[bwebber]

Firefighter Jeff,

All of the lakes listed are good choices, given that time of year, Walloon would probably be better fishing, or even the Intermediate chain.

Webber

[Frank]

Hubbard is also good

[Waterfoul]

So now we're ALL your friends??   



As for me and mine, we shall fish Hubbard!  Or Long.  Or Grand.  They all looked great on the recent MLF shows.  Never been there, planning on it though.

[TheFishinPollock]

tell them Charlvoix or Leelanau for the type of fishing and boating they want.  We stay at a place called amber sands on Leelanau . East side middle of south lake.  cool old cottage rentals and good swimming.

[Firefighter Jeff]

So now we're ALL your friends??   




  Ummmmm  I thought so.............   

[Firefighter Jeff]

tell them Charlvoix or Leelanau for the type of fishing and boating they want.  We stay at a place called amber sands on Leelanau . East side middle of south lake.  cool old cottage rentals and good swimming.

  Thanks Matt, I'll pass that on.

[TheFishinPollock]

As soon as I see him wear a state or u of m outfit. Then he will be a "real" friend.  Better known as " one of us"

[Waterfoul]

As soon as I see him wear a state or u of m outfit. Then he will be a "real" friend.  Better known as " one of us"

Great idea!!  I'm going to get Jeff a Michigan shirt for his birthday.  Or Memorial Day.  Or some day.   

[djkimmel]

I would suggest Clam Lake. There are houses and cabins for rent with docks. You can fish for all species except walleye regardless of weather.

You can (jet ski) on that lake too, or take a ride - no wake down the Clam River into Torch Lake and just go crazy. Eat at the restaurant from the dock there. Might enjoy the scenery and even the fishing challenge of Torch. Though that time of year might be a little challenging in Torch.

It's a long pontoon ride but maybe adventurous to Skeg down the Torch River. They can no wake up the Grass River - catch some pike maybe on the way - to Bellaire. They might catch some big bass in Bellaire. Or a giant muskie though that time of year the odds are reduced in Clam and Bellaire.

But they can catch some largemouth - maybe docks if the weeds aren't producing, though topwater in the morning usually gets something going - and pike for sure out of Clam.

Elk can get fairly rough and be pretty tough to fish that time of year. Skeg can even be pretty slow and tough that time of year depending upon how they like to fish. Clam is easier and full of a variety of fish.

[Got Fish??]

I agree with Dan. Torch chain will be vary exspensive and can get worked up , if you check the smaller inland lakes close to Traverse City. You will get a better value, and still be able to trailer your fishing boat to those other lakes I like Claim Lake, Otesgo lake, Fife lake, Margrethe lake and Long lake, Duck lake and Green are a little south of the area.

[Firefighter Jeff]

As soon as I see him wear a state or u of m outfit. Then he will be a "real" friend.  Better known as " one of us"

  That's never gonna happen.  I don't want to be one of you THAT bad !!!  Hahahahahaha   

[Firefighter Jeff]

   That's some great information Dan, thanks. I was only guessing on the summer fishing on Skeg.  I'm pretty sure from what I read in her messages that they DON"T have a boat and will be renting. So trailering is out.  I don't think cost will be a determining factor.  Anyone else???

[BIGSHOW]

Lots of good lakes up there. I always wondered about spider lake. There seems to be some rentals and their always booked. Not sure of the fishing though. Maybe thefishingpollock can chime in. Are you familiar with this lake?

[PineLk 49]

I ran into my old Biology teacher last week. Wow that was many decades ago. Anyways he lives on Gull Lake and bought a rental on Lake Charlevoix. South Arm. If interested, shoot me a pm.

Dave

[TheFishinPollock]

 Big. Spider is full of undersized bass, panfish and some pike.   Lotssssssssssssss of places to fish , but jetsking or tubing , things of that nature are pretty tuff cause it is a bunch of small lakes connected together by shallow flats.  It is a fun lake to fish though. Especially if it is very windy due to it basically being at the bottom of a valley.

  I would still stick to Leelanau or Charlevoix to get the desired mixed bag for fishing and plenty of room to boat around.

[BIGSHOW]

I have a place on Bass Lake and its the same there, alot of small bass and occasional pike and panfish. I'm gonna venture out and hit some more. I like cedar hedge cause I caught some big fish and its quiet and small also the one next to it, I think its dubonnet. I wanna hit long lake more too. What do you think of Silver lake? I might even venture to your lake if your the one I remember talking to. East side of TC. My buddy has a place there. I heard there's some good ones there.

[thedude]

intermediate would be a really good lake to check out.  leelanau is good for most species, but there's not much else close by except glenn maybe.  East jordan/belle aire area puts you within 20 min of a few great lakes.   Clam has some affordable places, but i don't like the fishing there. I've tried finding a reasonable place on belleaire, but haven't ever found one to rent.

[djkimmel]

I haven't been there in quite awhile but Intermediate would seem like a good choice too. Not sure about the boat rental situation at the moment on any of those lakes up there.

[Jefferson]

Spider Lake is a great family vacation lake, but not great for big bass. I actually caught my first bass there when I was 7. Dad was a walleye and perch fisherman, but those small bass in that lake turned me on to bass fishing.