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Paradise Lake Michigan
May 20, 2021 12:04:01   #
OHjohn Loc: Ohio
 
Anyone have an update on fishing in Paradise Lake in Michigan (Carp lake)?

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May 20, 2021 12:04:38   #
OHjohn Loc: Ohio
 
Going up there this weekend

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May 20, 2021 13:06:59   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
I spent about 3 hours last Summer kayak fishing that lake and caught a few mid sized northern pike for my efforts while casting crank baits. I was on the Westerly end (stayed in about a 1/2 mile sized circle) and in my opinion that lake was really choked with weeds no matter where I paddled. Way too many weeds to troll, which is my preferred way to fish via the kayak. I believe that they are invasive weeds of some sort and in the past decade or so have become very problematic.

My armchair "recon" of this lake was done via a spiral bound book published for sale by sportsmansconnection.com and after reading their comments and studying the accompanying lake map that is why I chose to fish the Westerly end. You can buy their book online, and get a quickly downloadable copy, or get a hardcopy shipped to you. This lake is covered within the Northwestern Michigan sector if you visit their web site. They also allow for the purchase of individual lake data (stocking reports and depth map) for just a few bucks. I have all the MI books they publish, and I do find them very helpful, especially when looking for public access points.

The book has commentary from a local bait shop that suggests a great pike fishery, small and largemouth bass...but smallish in size, as well as a mix of perch and bluegill. As always, timing is everything when it comes to successful "catching".

I had driven by it for years and never fished it so this was my first attempt. My suspicion is that there would have been better fishing at the Easterly side, and if I was in a boat I would have zoomed around more to find out. The only public launch I was aware of was in the town of Carp lake...at the West end.

My guess is that I just hit it wrong. The perimeter is heavily developed, and I have to assume that at one time it was a great fishery...and perhaps still is once you get to know it. The maximum depth is 15', with an overall average depth closer to 7'...so this is a pretty shallow lake.

Not sure about submerged debris such as logs and structure, but I suspect that you will be cleaning weeds from your prop quite often.

Good luck on your trip and let us know how it panned out!

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May 20, 2021 22:22:40   #
OHjohn Loc: Ohio
 
Fishyaker - thanks for the comments. Hopefully the weeds won’t be bad this early. First trip there. Will post our results.

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May 29, 2021 20:03:19   #
OHjohn Loc: Ohio
 
Completed our trip to Paradise Lake.yes, it had some very weedy spots and was difficult to troll inless you found a path. Had no success with rattle traps or hottentots. Weather did no cooperate. Wind from east one day, west the next then from east again a day later. Some strong winds and waves with gusts up to 30. Very changeable wind. Relatively calm, then gusts then calm again. Made it challenging.

Had most success with yellow leadhead with silver chad fan tail. Caught some nice small mouths in the 17 - 18 in range but only a few. Caught 2 18 in walleyes and multiple pike in the 21-23 in range. Mostly casting in the NE and SE corners. Did manage 4 or 5 trolling with the leadhead silver chad- worked well through and over weeds. Some areas are nearly impossible. Only caught one small walleye with a rapala bass lure in the middle north casting.

Note that the boat rental was closed on Paradise lake. Rented a boat for the week in Alanson 20 some miles south.

First trip to the area. Was fun but will probably look closer at the fishing and rental options before booking up there again. There seem to be many options that area nicer with more restaurants etc..

Only ended up with 2 keepers (walleye) which was disappointing but stil was a good time. Decent variety fo fish there.

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May 29, 2021 20:57:32   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
Thank you for the update on your trip...I had been looking forward to hearing how it all went. It sounds like you did well all things considered! That is indeed a pleasant area. Just an FYI...the shorelines along Wilderness State Park (particularly Sturgeon Bay to the West) are known to be home to smallmouth bass in good numbers, especially in the Spring. I would not call it a "local secret", but it is great habitat. It can be tricky to fish due to the rocky nature of the bottom, and quite a few large boulders strewn about as well. What I mean is that you've got to be on the lookout for places where your prop will find bottom...or a big rock.

I did not want to mention this before because I did not want to give you information that would spoil your intentions to fish Paradise Lake and focus your energy there. Based on the conditions over the past several days, you would not have wanted to be on the big lake anyways! If you do return, keep Wilderness in mind.

I can't quite recall, but I think I remember that you mentioned having a family cabin in that area....or a friend...which is why you targeted Paradise Lake. In the same general region (closer to Alanson), you will notice Burt, Mullet and Black Lakes all in proximity to each other. Each of those lakes hold excellent fish populations across a broad spectrum, and would also be very worthy of consideration up in that neck of the woods.

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May 30, 2021 08:34:26   #
OHjohn Loc: Ohio
 
Thanks for the comments

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