Beaver Island Michigan
May 7, 2021 11:09:18 #
Rickshooter
Loc: NW Indiana
Headed up in a few weeks to Beaver Island. I see there’s small lakes/ponds, and there’s Lake Michigan all around. Anybody fishing there? I usually fish nw Indiana on the big lake and local water. Thx.
May 7, 2021 12:07:56 #
No idea Rick, I'd never heard of it before you mentioned it. Where you from in Indiana? I grew up back there, I'm from North Liberty. You know where that is? We would love to see some photos of Beaver Island and be sure to let us know how you did there.
May 7, 2021 12:50:23 #
Rickshooter wrote:
Headed up in a few weeks to Beaver Island. I see there’s small lakes/ponds, and there’s Lake Michigan all around. Anybody fishing there? I usually fish nw Indiana on the big lake and local water. Thx.
Welcome to the Forum, Rick, good luck.
May 7, 2021 14:59:51 #
Your primary quarry will be smallmouth bass. The MI open season starts at the end of May for those planning to keep fish, but a few years ago they changed regulations so that you could "pre-fish" and target bass without issue ahead of the opener. This was all about protecting the fish while spawning.
That being said, our Lake Michigan waters remain very cold at this time and the action on bass is quite sluggish along the coastal shorelines. I suspect the same will hold true out on the Island. I am not aware of the fish contents of those inland lakes, but they will definitely be warmer than the big lake, and I assume will be harboring bass, pike and some panfish. If you can find public access, and have use of a boat, canoe or kayak those lakes would be worth a try.
The Westerly side of Beaver Island would provide the best smallmouth habitat (more rocks), but it also has less than convenient public access in widespread portions of the shoreline. Be careful if you do get out on Lake Michigan. Although the water level is still in a "high mode" this year, there are numerous "finger reefs and shoals" that run out from shore a good distance and your prop will find them by a quick and sudden surprise. If you do get to spend any time plying the big lake, be watchful of wind directions too, as things can get pretty gnarly in a hurry.
Best regards and let the forum know how your trip turns out if you get a chance to fish!
That being said, our Lake Michigan waters remain very cold at this time and the action on bass is quite sluggish along the coastal shorelines. I suspect the same will hold true out on the Island. I am not aware of the fish contents of those inland lakes, but they will definitely be warmer than the big lake, and I assume will be harboring bass, pike and some panfish. If you can find public access, and have use of a boat, canoe or kayak those lakes would be worth a try.
The Westerly side of Beaver Island would provide the best smallmouth habitat (more rocks), but it also has less than convenient public access in widespread portions of the shoreline. Be careful if you do get out on Lake Michigan. Although the water level is still in a "high mode" this year, there are numerous "finger reefs and shoals" that run out from shore a good distance and your prop will find them by a quick and sudden surprise. If you do get to spend any time plying the big lake, be watchful of wind directions too, as things can get pretty gnarly in a hurry.
Best regards and let the forum know how your trip turns out if you get a chance to fish!
May 7, 2021 18:39:49 #
Rickshooter
Loc: NW Indiana
I live in Porter County and my wife fam and kids in St Joe and Elkhart counties. I’ve seen the signs for North Liberty off 6, 35, etc but never been. Beaver island is way north on the big lake and only accessible by boat or plane but we have an invite to a sister in laws place there and I always carry a rod or two.
May 7, 2021 18:42:14 #
Rickshooter
Loc: NW Indiana
Fly guy: I’ve fished Laguna Madre from my kayak with fly rod once or twice, and caught reds from the jetty at the end of the island. Nice place you live. Not snowy for one thing.
May 7, 2021 19:54:38 #
Rickshooter wrote:
I live in Porter County and my wife fam and kids in St Joe and Elkhart counties. I’ve seen the signs for North Liberty off 6, 35, etc but never been. Beaver island is way north on the big lake and only accessible by boat or plane but we have an invite to a sister in laws place there and I always carry a rod or two.
I've got a good buddy lives in Portage, lots of family all over that area of SouthBend and Elkhart. My wife's from Michigan City and her people are from the UP. Crazy Canuks from Escanaba and Ensign - Little Bay de Doc. Never been to North Liberty? Well you haven't............I was gonna say lived, but I believe the truth would be more like - - - haven't missed much. Corn fields and hickory woods. That's the way I remember it. One of our members from back there said " a kid's dream " and he's correct, it was a great place to spend a childhood. But I done growed up.
Jun 15, 2021 14:51:50 #
Rickshooter
Loc: NW Indiana
Beaver Island was windy so only got out one morning. Two limits of Lakers from 3 to 10 lbs on whitish spinner w a dodger at about 70’ over water to 96 or so. Winds brisk (10-15) from NE meant a lot of rolling. Even the small on-island lake Geneserath had whitecaps so I wussed out in the kayak. Never tried west side. Lots of trillers out Saturday morning as winds dropped and I headed home.
Jun 15, 2021 14:56:10 #
Jun 15, 2021 17:58:50 #
Fantastic catch on the lake trout guys! I did not think that you might head out into those deeper waters! Too bad about the wind...it has been a very windy Spring transition into Summer this season, and like yourselves, many of us from this region have had to pick and choose the days when we ventured off shore! Glad that you got into some good action. Lake trout are fun to pursue, and they are not too picky when it comes to choosing a meal from your menu!
Hope that you had a nice time visiting your family relations as well!
Hope that you had a nice time visiting your family relations as well!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.