Advice/suggestions for Great Lake fishing

[tengland]

I want to go out on Lake Michigan with my 16' angler. I don't know too much about what to bring or do when it comes to the Great Lakes. Tackle? Anchor? Poles? Bait? Reels? Is there a good time to go fishing? Good places to fish? Just about anything could help.

[tengland]

Todd

[MOOSE]

Check out www.glangler.com , i.e. - Great Lakes Angler.

[Connie Fisher]

Hello Todd,

I have fished off Kenosha many times, always with a chartered guide, with absolutely amazing great results.

First, weather is always “the” major decision factor. Early in the season, the weather is always volatile, later in the year more predictable.

We would many times, drive across Wisconsin (from Iowa), meet the guide, then be cancelled because of the weather (fog/ limited visibility, wind, big water/lake conditions etc.).

We were out once when the wind came up and it became pretty scary with immediate and increasing sizeable (big water) “rollers”.

One other time we went out, caught our limit and had to pick our way back to the harbour because of late morning (developing) fog had the harbour locked up. The entry to the Kenosha harbour is small and became even smaller all at once (it would have been impossible without radar).

We became well aquatinted with the charter captain over the years and watched the process of putting out down riggers to various settings, trolling speed, lures etc. which can be overwhelming (different time/s of the day, season, weather etc.,).

We both know that there are many places to launch along Lake Michigan but the same denominator applies, “don’t take chances with the weather”.

Being out in a 34 footer and getting concerned is one thing, can’t imagine experiencing the same weather in a 16 C-Dory.

I suggest, that you, dad, brother and boys, as a group, go out on a charter and witness the process (education always has a price).

Regards,

Ron Fisher

[colbysmith]

Hi,
Going by your location, I'm assuming you are looking for Lake Michigan areas between Chicago and Green Bay. My favorite Salmon fishing spots are off of Port Washington, which has a very nice marina, and then off of Sturgeon Bay on the Lake side, in an area called the Bank Reef. I'm not much of a fisher, and just do it for fun. But about 5-6 miles out puts you in 100-150 feet of water, and the pros catch a lot of fish in those areas. If you go out of Sturgeon Bay, the city docks there are very nice as well. I have seen small boats (16'?) out on calm days, but watch the weather. You can also fish within the breakwaters and bays, and there are many fairly protected areas on the Bay side of Door County. Sisters Bay and Egg Harbor have some nice docks as well. Or take your boat across on the ferry to Washington Island, and go over to the far side at Jackson Harbor. You can put in there and fish also. The recommendation about the GLAngler site is a good one. Lots of chatter there when fishing is in season. (And out of season too.) Good luck. Colby