Three-day licenses are just $30 — a true bargain by any measure. Like so many Michigan waters, 4-pound fish are pretty common and you'll wear your arms out on 2- and 3-pounders once you get dialed in. Crank baits, top water and soft plastics are producing good numbers of Smallmouth bass on the Muskegon River. Michigan is home to some 11,000 inland lakes. Smallmouth's average length is about 25-50 cm (10-20 in), while the weight is usually around 0.5-1.6 kg (1-4 lb). If you want to start an argument in a hurry, ask a couple of anglers whether the East or West arm offers the best smallmouth fishing. Both Burt and Mullett offer exceptional smallmouth fishing. I specialize in smallmouth, largemouth and sight fishing for the FLY guys. With some great weedy edges, fallen timbers, and a very large body of water, there are many trophy bass just waiting to be caught by you. The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. Indiana is home to roughly 40-miles of smallmouth rich lakeshore between the Illinois border and Michigan City. Any smallmouth of that size caught on a fly rod in a stream is surely a trophy. From there we'll curve our way around the tip of the mitt and, finally, head back south to Motown. The bass weighed 9.33 pounds and was 24.50 inches long. Northern Illinois. As beautiful as the setting is, the Native American lore for which the dunes are named is just as incredible. Michigan is home to some big fish. Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and in many places 5 pounds is where trophy smallmouths begin. "Lake Charlevoix has two big arms, and map study definitely will pay off there, by finding the biggest flats in this lake," Stout reports. We'll start on Michigan's "West Coast." The pristine waters of Lake Michigan and crystal clear up north lakes are the backdrop for the fish-of-a-lifetime. Shoemaker, had a good run with a fish caught in Long Lake in Cheboygan County weighing 9.25 pounds and measuring 27.25 inches, Greg Gasiciel was able to best that fish for a new state record. Pay attention when running and keep an eye on your sonar and you'll be fine. The Great Lakes are a treasure. The lake, which separates Canada and the United States, is 26-miles long and 24-miles wide. Lake Michigan has many off-the-radar areas like this with terrific smallmouth fishing. Robert Bruce Kraemer of Treasure Island, Fla., on Sunday caught a 23.10-inch, 9.98-pounder on … One of these days someone is bound to hook into and land a verified 9lb smallmouth bass on Lake St Clair. Bass in the 2- to 4-pound range are caught regularly, and 5-pounders are not unheard-of. All of the lakes contain Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, although the smallies far out number the bigmouths. This is big water and you'll need to use caution when the wind kicks up – particularly if the wind comes from the east. And waters range from big water to small, from Great Lake to big lake to small lake to river to stream. Smallmouth Bass offer some of the best fishing when things get hot. 11 broadheads new to the expandable-blade market this year — ATA Show. Bassmaster Magazine consistently ranks northern Michigan lakes in their top 100 Best Bass fishing locations. Techniques to target smallmouth through the seasons . It is one of those rare places where hip, young families mix freely with history-loving retirees. And those that do grow those fish big — Real big. Lake St. Clair has consistently ranked as one of the top smallmouth fisheries in the country. What gives Michigan its edge on being a great fishing location is the abundance of water. smallmouth bass fishing in northern michigan Discussion in 'Fish Taxidermy' started by snagmaster49, Jul 3, 2013. An annual nonresident license is an affordable $68. Access to these waters is abundant and easy. So find a spot to park the boat, grab some tickets and take in a game. This cozy town serves as the gateway to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and views of the massive Mackinac Bridge, which connects the two peninsulas, are spectacular. Sight fishing at this time of year can be insane. Michigan Smallmouth Bass Fishing. This time we'll stop in Au Gres, a beautiful port town that just happens to offer excellent access to Charity Island in Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay. (231) 519-7348 (231) 519-7348 The Lake St. Clair smallmouth bass population has long been know to be one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the nation. The Johnstons' favorite smallmouth lures. Smallmouth Bass Fishing Lake Michigan and the Bays. Spawning activity begins in the spring when water temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit or more. In 2016, angler Robert Bruce Kraemer broke the state record for smallmouth bass , landing a 23.10-inch, 9.98 … I’ve landed some large smallmouth from Clark, but never a Laker. Smallmouth bass usually grow to 5-6 pounds in the St. Lawrence River. It's vast, deep and cold. Photo by Jeff Simpson. In many of Michigan’s inland fly fishing streams and rivers such as the Muskegon, Manistee, Huron and the AuSable Rivers, fly fisherman boast about 3-4lb smallmouth bass as being huge. Based out of Michigan, Ben hosts a YouTube channel called The Smallmouth Experience where he uploads weekly videos sharing his experiences of catching smallmouth bass, as well as helpful tips for anglers out there who want to find more success on the water. We've had numerous occasions of landing some monster 25" bass into the boat and invite you to do the same. © 2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Give a Gift   Where is the best smallmouth fishing in Michigan? Unfortunately I am driving over 5 hours one way to get to the primetime waters in Michigan, but it has been worth every ounce of gas used. Under the watchful eye of the male, they swim in a dense dark cloud over the nest for a few days, then begin to disperse. I am a fanatic about dropshotting for smallmouth bass. Bass fishermen typically cast all manner of lures, from topwater plugs to bottom-bumpers (such as jigs or plastic worms) with diving plugs, swim baits, spoons or spinnerbaits used in between. Want to explore more of Michigan? Yeah, it's that easy. |   The only thing anglers need to remember is that the season is catch-and-immediate-release until May 28 or June 18 depending on the body of water you're fishing. Both arms of Grand Traverse Bay hold exceptional populations of smallmouth. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Located along the shore of Lake Michigan about 30 minutes from Traverse City, this park was voted by viewers of ABC's Good Morning America as the "Most Beautiful Place in America. Michigan has a new state record for smallmouth bass. TFO Ambassador Ben Nowak is no stranger to smallmouth fishing. Again, dragging a tube will get you in fish. Although that record holder, W.F. Two dorsal fins with spinous and soft-rayed portions united, body longer than deep, jaw extends to the middle of the eye, bronze streaks in cheek. Along the way we'll encounter some of the finest freshwater shoreline in the country, skip through wine country, roll through glorious stands of hardwoods and descend towards the region that gave us the automobile. Both species move shallow in the spring to spawn and are easily located and enticed into biting before they go on the beds. All of the fisheries mentioned here can be accessed via a state park. Michigan boasts good populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass statewide, though as you travel northward, smallmouths are the dominant species. 3 Lake St. Clair (MI) The state of Michigan offers fantastic smallmouth bass fisheries throughout its many lakes, including Lake Michigan, Grand Traverse Bay, and Saginaw Bay. But keep in mind this is Lake Michigan. That is a pretty big statement considering that in Michigan we have steelhead, salmon, muskie, and trout to play with. Photo by Aaron Peterson. The previous record, a 9.25-pound smallmouth, was caught on Long Lake. In 2015, Hubbard Lake produced the new state record – a 9.33-pound beast. 1. The smallmouth bass is native to the upper and middle Mississippi River basin, the Saint Lawrence River – Great Lakes system, and up into the Hudson Bay basin.The world record size was over 11 pounds caught in the lake Dale Hollow, on the Kentucky—Tennessee border. Comerica has a ton of family-friendly activities throughout the park and you'll want to take them all in before the first pitch. Sammy and I hit one of the bigger inland lake to go after pre-spawn smallies. Better yet, the areas with some of the finest fishing also happen to be some of state's most scenic and family-friendly places to visit. Nick Orrick of Massachusetts, father of Outdoors Editor Dave Orrick, fights a smallmouth bass on inside the Sylvania Wilderness in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Michigan's Great Lakes and connecting water have excellent smallmouth populations. We're heading south again along the eastern shore. ), it boasts a gorgeous expanse of pure sand that ranges from ankle to waist-deep and creates the perfect area to anchor the boat and float the day away. Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, Bluesource/DNR Big Wild Forest Carbon Project, Assistance for Private Forest Land Owners, County and Municipal Law Enforcement Information, Fisheries Division Citizens Advisory Committees, Michigan History Center Commissions & Committees, Pigeon River Country Equestrian Committee, Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council, Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Councils. Smallmouth Bass. Michigan Bass Fishing Trips Book Your Michigan Bass Fishing Trip Today! Smallmouth bass appear in the shallows here during the springtime then stay all summer. It is the diversity in topography, scenery and experience that defines Michigan's fishing and a smallmouth trek "around the horn" is as good as it gets. We've had numerous occasions of landing some monster 25in bass into the boat and invite you to do the same. Finding fish is pretty simple. No trip to Michigan would be complete without a visit to Mackinaw City. Michigan's smallmouth fishing is revered by many anglers as the best of the best. The rocky bottom can produce incredible fishing action, but it can eat a prop in a hurry. The record was verified by a Michigan state DNR fish biologist. But I don't consider the place I'm about to tell you about "most parts of the country." Smallmouth Bass Fishing on Lake Gogebic in Michigan's Upper Peninsula - The Timbers Resort LAKE GOGEBIC BASS FISHING Perhaps one of the best kept secrets on Lake Gogebic is that it makes an excellent habitat for bass fishing. Smallmouth bass mature at age three or four, and occasionally live to be 10 to 12 years old. Long Lake Michigan fishing in crystal … Fly fishing Lake Michigan along Indiana’s coast for smallmouth bass is an adventure every serious bronzeback angler should experience. If you need some video evidence, check out the Major League Fishing event that took place there. The state touches four of the five Great Lakes and is home to tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. Dan Ockert 517-749-1879 Smallmouth Bass are pound for pound the strongest fighting fish in Michigan Rivers. It's an odyssey into a state where lakes love to live. Michigan Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing Guide . Throw these lures to overcome... Five top spots for hot smallmouth action this autumn. This waterway passes through three other lakes along the way including Burt and Mullett. There are both the Trophy and the Unique in this video, caught with a green pumpkin bass jig. Fishing for Smallmouth Bass. As difficult as it may be to hit a lake and do something other than fish, Torch Lake deserves some special attention. Detroit's Comerica Park is home of the Detroit Tigers and is one of the best facilities in all of Major League Baseball. Recent 13-pounder on Sam Rayburn could be start of awesome 2021. Change up your baits until you find one that starts getting strikes then stick with it. Largemouths are more often associated with shallow, weedier bodies of water or reservoirs with standing timber, while smallmouths are more closely linked to rocky habitat and rivers. pretty remarkable considering that the Michigan state record smallmouth bass is a whopping 9.25lbs, and caught in 1906. 593 1. Went out with a friend fishing an early Sunday morning.We have fished this spot a few how ever not this early in the day. Here, again, we have an embarrassment of smallmouth riches. Photo by Jeff Simpson. Michigan boasts good populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass statewide, though as you travel northward, smallmouths are the dominant species. Trophy Michigan smallmouth bass are abundant in northern Michigan. Then we'll head north into the land of the Sleeping Bear. The eggs, which are larger than those of the largemouth bass, hatch in two to three days. They can also be dangerous. Virtually in the shadow of the Motor City, Lake Erie offers excellent smallmouth fishing. The Traverse City area is a perfect location to drop in a line while enjoying the beautiful changing colors and cool, crisp weather. Simply cast to any dark spots in the water. WALLOON, CHARLEVOIX, BURT/MULLET are frequently requested. The whole southeastern coast from Port Huron to Lake Erie is nationally known for its size and number of smallmouth bass. Lake St. Clair is a world-class destination for anglers targeting the Smallmouth bass of a lifetime. In most parts of the country, a 5-pound smallmouth earns "fish-of-a-lifetime" status. Founded in 1852, Traverse City is an eclectic mix of history and future. Coach's Angle Charters featuring World Class Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Northern Michigan Coach's Angle Charters “Welcome to one of the premier smallmouth bass destinations. North into the land of the best water is the one that you decide to.. 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