Lake Leelanau

[rustydog]

I'm going up to L. Leelanau this Sept. and was wondering if anyone was willing to share a little info? I have never seen the water and don't even know if North and South is connected.

[MBell]

They are connected, there is a boat launch in the channel that connects them if I remember right.  It's a good lake but nothing compared to east grand traverse bay (elk rapids).  I have limited experience on lelanau from when I was younger so it could be better now.  Never fished it in the fall so who knows, I'd imagine all of those lakes up there get going pretty good in the fall.
-Matt

[TheFishinPollock]

Are you comming up for the CCBA tourny on the 9th?    Leelanau is a fantastic lake to fish if ya catch it on the right day.  The north lake is a steep drop off lake , but there is not much structure or weedbeds.  It hold a lot of Lakers , big bass, eye's and some pike.  The south lake is basicly a river flooding design. Skinny  with flats and drops scattered around the lake. I can't honestly say which lake is better . They both produce fantastic fish.  I use a lot of big spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, and jerk baits on the flats.  Deep wobble baits on the 20+ drops .  There are other lakes in the area that are good also.  Long lake  , Silver lake, Duck and green, and Lake Ann are close by.  Glenn lake is also a great lake this year up here.  I'll be out practicing for the CCBA the end of the month so you might see me out there. I'll be in an older  gray/ silver ChampioN.  As for the east and west bays this year. Bass fishing was hot this spring, but because of the lack of rain and high temps they have slowed wayyyyy down on the catch rates.   Plus it's a lota water to pick from and it gets very dangerous out there for a bassboat when the wind picks up outa the north or northwest.   good luck to ya and hope to see ya out there.

[rustydog]

I'll be fishing Cadillac on the 9th. The rumor is that the Bass Anglers United champ. is on Leelanau on Oct. 5&6 so thats why I was looking for a little info. I just heard today that there was a tour. going out of L Leelanau RV park that day is that the same one you mentioned?

[TheFishinPollock]

It's the same park but a different club. The CCBA is  the Cherry Capital bass anglers club.  Their open is the 9th of september on lake leelanau.    Is the  one you mentioned an open tourny ? If so I'd love to go over and  whoop up on some out of towners for their cash . lol

[rustydog]

No its not an open. You have to qualify to be in it. You might want to check out their website at www.bassanglersunited.com. All you have to do to qualitfy is fish both their tournaments in one division. The 1st prise is a new Triton.

[TheFishinPollock]

Cool thanks for the link.   Will they let me trade it for a new Champ.

[hoogie64]

Fishing Pollock,

Do you have any contact info for CCBA or anywhere I could get more info on the Charity Tournament?  I did a quick web search and was unable to come up with anything.  Any info would be appreciated.  Have you been on leelanau lately?  Someone was telling me the indians had a bunch of nets on the north lake and the fishing was going downhill.

[TheFishinPollock]

I am headed  out there next tuesday or wednesday. Wind and weather permitting.  The tourny is on the 9th of September out or leelanau RV Park.  They have a great campground and facilities.  Their # is 231-256-7236 for park info. I'll message you with the # for the Director. They are limiting it to 60 boats this year. 100% payout  down to 10th place. Door prizes for non money boats. $90.00 per boat, includes big bass.   Wave if your out there and see an old gray ChampioN.   as for the nets, I have nbo idea. I have not heard a thing about them. 

[fishndooder]

I was on north three weeks ago practicing and as of that time there were not any nets.  Also I think the indian regulations are a little different for putting nets in inland lakes.  On the other hand I know that glen arbor is packed with nets right now.
brent

[TheFishinPollock]

Headed out there today .  The rain looks liek its gonan stop by the time I get there.   I'd post a report with info ,but ain' t that helping my compitition.  I'll post something at least , but don't expect it to be really detailed. 

[TheFishinPollock]

Ok. Sorry I didn't get this up sooner.   You guys are in biggggggggggggggggggg troubble this year.    I found fish finally!    Now if they are just there  next weekend.  Caught a messsssssssssss of perch on the south lake  after tourny hours . Good ole fasion slab fish.   Put some huge rockbass in the boat on the north lake  later in the day too.   The water levels seem to actually be up this year. Weird concidering all other lakes are wayyy down this year.     I didn't find a single net on the north lake at all , and trust me , I was all over it.   Mabye someone else got to cut them free before I did??     

[Revtro]

I was just up there last weekend.  The Leelenau RV camp is very nice.  I stayed there for 4 days.  I didn't fish the lake, but I did notice that there were no bass boats around.  Makes me wonder if there are decent numbers of bass in that lake.  I am considering going back up to fish it, but I was wondering if anyone has gotten into decent bass out there or is it more of a recreational like like Higgins?  All I saw were pontoons and water skiers the whole weekend.  Looks like a beautiful lake though.  I was also driving by several lakes on my way to and from Glen Arbor.  Are some of those hidden bass gems?  I don't get up there much, but I do want to fish next time.

[fishndooder]

I just think its that there aren't really that many bass boats in the tc area compared to down state, and with the number of lakes around to chose from chances of seeing any are slim.

brent

[TheFishinPollock]

Revtro-- There is more pressure on eyes, trout, and perch than the bass., but the lake is chock full of good sized bass and huge smallies up north ifffffffff you can figgure the lake out .  The south is always fished heavier cause its structured like a flooded river impoundment. Theres actually an older Astro on the end of the 1st dock that stays at that park yearly.   They allow a large amount of tournys to go outa that park cause the facilities are fantassssssssssstic like ya said.  Bummer we didn't get to meet up at all. I had an empty seat out there eariler in the week. Glenn lake is good for perch , bass and trout also. Very deep, very clear.  If ya want any other info on the area lakes feel free to ask me. I do some chartering in the TC and elk lake area myself and have a pretty decent knowldge of the lakes.

Matt

[Revtro]

Thanks Matt!
I seem to be making a habit of getting up there a few times a year (starting this year ) I'd love to get out and fish some of those lakes, especially Elk/Torch.  I'm probably done camping for the year because I'm having camper issues, but I'll be up there a couple of times next year for sure.  Hopefully we can hook up.

[Dan]

Hey Rev,
We use to have Classics up on Leelanau in late September (It's been over 10 years ago now.). That was back when we weighed 10 fish and it took 10 fish both Classic days to win and then a number of the Classic boats had 10 fish both days. Mainly a smallmouth lake. Some decent largemouth caught at times. During the summer the lake fishes very tough for bass. KVD has done some filming on the lake before. In my opinion, the south lake would be where I would concentrate. Mid lake and south. Lots of flats fishing. Lots of water. Early June you get bass thumb. Just put the boat in gear and steer with the trolling motor till you find beds. Go over them and by the time you turn the big motor off and turn around they will be back.

[skeeterman190]

 Hey guys skeeterman here was kinda wondering what the weights were to win up here? Just kinda trying do gauge what i came up with on these lakes, and what if anything i need to change? I would say that it prolly takes around 17 lbs to win up here but i could be way off??? I see alot of comments on the South lake, does it get more pressure then the North lake? i seen only maybe 3 or 4 bass boats up there, all on the south lake. thanks again,-skeeterman-

[TheFishinPollock]

There is alwaysssssssssss someone that comes in for the CCBA with over 20 lbs. Usually takes at least that to win that tourny skeeter.The south lake does get more pressure cause alota guys get frustrated quickly with the north lake due to the lack of structure. It wil cough up bigger fish than the south usually but ya have to work twice as hard to find them. But the rewards are well worth the long efforts. At least to me they are. I've never caught a bass on north lake that didn't come in at at least 4 pounds.

[skeeterman190]

 Well to tell ya the truth im kinda stumped here, im not gonna get into details ive got a new boat and some muchh needed money on the line but... i pre fished both lake one south on saturday and north on sunday ,north had a bigger bag but not by much. i'll just say both were over 20 with north around 23. so i dont know i was just kinda wondering about fishing pressure. you really gotta work for them up there but it seems all the south is a no brainer deal classic fish areas.. thanks for the help-skeeterman-