Species available locally:
Sunfish(blue gill, pumpkinseed, green, redear, longear, hybrid, black&white crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, warmouth & rock bass), pike, trout(including steelhead, brook, rainbow{young steelhead}), shad & minnows, catfish(channel and flathead), bullheads(yellow & brown), carp(native), perch & walleye. Unfortunately we are also burdened with invasive species(European ruffe, rusty crayfish, bighead and Silver carp, gobies etc...), which must be carefully managed or they can cause untold devastation to our native resources. Click here to view pictures and details on these fish species and more. Simply click on the fish names or family and you will link to it's picture and from there you can link to details about the fish. For more information on other species of Michigan fish available elsewhere, along with information on invasive species and Michigan fishing in general, go to the Michigan DNR web site.
Spots covered: Stony Creek (lake depth map), Yates, Bloomer, Municipal grounds, Holland Ponds, River Bends, multiple vantage points along Clinton River, neighborhood ponds and lakes(Most are private; invite only please!), Spencer park, Lakeville lake (lake topology), Bald Mountain (area unit map), Metro beach, Anchor Bay (detailed area map; 4 views), Bluewater Bridge boardwalk, Algonac/Marine City boardwalks.
Tips:
Before fishing, be sure to read your current DNR Michigan fishing guide!
Bait
I firmly believe in the application of any and all baits available legally to anglers. We use most live baits, including: minnows(shiners), chubs, legally caught fish(invasive like ruffe and goby are fair game), all available insects, grubs/maggots, leaches, worms and even once live commercially packed baits. Also used are huge varieties of plastic and soft rubber artificial baits(from many brands like Berkley, Riverside, Storm etc.), crank baits(Rapala, Poe, Storm, Spro, Yo-Zuri, Renegade etc.) and spinner baits of all kinds, many jigs/jig heads(including chugging gear) & spoons, scent/stink baits, boilies and the like, fly fishing lures, salmon/trout yarn, various dip and spray scents and whatever else becomes available.
Gear
Different environments and situations require equally different gear. Whether you are fishing locally or elsewhere, the proper gear is essential for success. Following are the basic essentials and some extras that enhance your fishing productivity.
Rods & Reels: To succeed at fishing, it all begins with a quality fishing pole and reel. Quality does not mean expensive, but does exclude cheap garbage. I favor Daiwa, Zebco Quantum, Shimano, Berkley, Shakespeare and Rhino as well as any good rod or reel that is not as popular(provided it measures up). There are two types of rod and reel combinations that I use; bait casting and spinning(open face). I find it easier to pitch jigs, spinner baits and especially crank baits with bait casting gear and find them useful for trolling some areas. I use the open face option for most other fishing scenarios such as vertical jigging, drop shotting, bottom bouncing or tight lining. In my opinion, you need at least 4 rod and reel combos, excluding ice fishing gear(covered later). You should have the following setups(rod and corresponding reels); an ultra light action 4 to 5 foot long, a light action 5 to 7 foot, a medium action 6 to 7 foot and a heavy duty combination 7 to 11 foot. At least 1 bait casting setup is a good idea, usually the medium action of the 4. I have more than that because I like ready to go set ups, pre rigged for certain conditions.
Line: We use monofilament, microfilament, braided and sometimes fluorocarbon lines of all pound tests and diameter from companies like Stren, Trilene, Spectra, Cabela and Berkley. My ultra light has a Shakespeare micro spin combo with 4lb diameter/ 12 test braided(which I use all the time locally)and my light action Rhino/Shimano combo has 6 lb Stren low visibility blue for example. You want to get line that will be usable for most bodies of water you are going to fish. Extra spools for your reels(many come with with purchase) with alternate lines are very useful.
Hooks, Floats(bobbers) & Weights(sinkers): Get as many different kinds and sizes of all of these 3! Hooks should include not only the regular kinds but also circle, snelled(with/without blades), specialty hooks for rigging artificial baits like worms and lizards, night crawler harnesses, and rigs(crappie, perch, walleye etc). Weights should include besides various regular ones, bullet, clamp on, bottom bouncing, split shot, jig heads of all types and any other unique types that are designed for specific baits or conditions. Don't forget the huge ones for strong current (river) situations!
Floats should be both the slide and wrap around kind, again of all sizes and varieties, including small strike indicators. I do not recommend the simple round kind except the tiny ones.
Nets: a couple of different sizes/lengths is a nice idea. I prefer rubber or less damaging to fish nets.
Tackle boxes: Boxes should be multiple, holding items separately. A plastics box for plastics, crank bait box, boxes for hooks and sinkers/bobbers and so on. There are large boxes that hold several smaller containers, many can be carried as back packs or over the shoulder along with the "traditional" box. Shop around and find one that fits your style and needs.
Artificial baits and accessories: Same as everything; the more the better. Collect a myriad of plastics, crank baits, spinners and jigs of many colors(separate or combined in different ways, colors I never go without: pumpkinseed, bluegill, blue, silver, white, green, yellow, red, chartreuse & black)and multiple sizes for each. Get all the accessories like special hooks or jig heads for them while your at it! Special baits like boilies and catfish chunks/pastes along with dip/spray on scented attractants are great additions to any tackle box.
Extras: Things needle nose pliers to help remove hooks, nail clippers or scissors for line cutting, scales/measuring tape, leaders, beads, stringers or catch buckets, any fish finding/topography electronics/GPS, gaffs, augers/ tip ups and shanties for ice fishing, camera/camcorder, proper clothing, waders etc. are included here. Remember: having everything still does not guarantee you will catch anything!!
Fishing news by Scott & friends
*The following news is from first hand knowledge or from proven, reliable sources and are true to the best of the author's knowledge. Still, as any seasoned angler knows, each day is different from the next and there are no guarantees the same results will occur. This is just a summary of what worked; all the failed(skunked) outings have been omitted. We practice and advocate catch and release for the most part and return fish to the water as soon as possible. For this reason, we will only take pictures if it is convenient AND the fish are relatively large or unusual(or to show average sizes of good hauls). We will post your photos, no matter what size fish, if you like to our Fish pics page. I only ask you to try and follow the same practices we do for the sake of the fish. Any fish we keep are in season, taken with proper license and are within DNR stated legal size/limit specifications. This section will be updated every week or so or as often as there is new information to add.
Have tips or fish pics for listed spots? Email them to us.
Happening in...
Temperature, sun/clouds, wind and Barometric pressure are important factors in fishing, directly influencing everything from fish behavior to your lure selection and presentation.
Keep informed with the daily and 5 day weather reports for: Shelby Township * Lakeville * Metro Beach * Bald Mountain * Blue Water Bridge * Algonac * Marine City * New Baltimore * Harsens Island * Lake St. Clair Marine report
Solunar Calendar: Suggested best fishing times according to the cycles of moon. Amazing how often this is sooo accurate! Use this link to the In-Fisherman calendar. It shows potentially better fishing times and days as well as the phases of the moon. As a subscriber and fan of In-Fisherman magazine, this calendar has served me well over the years as well as the wealth of information contained between the magazine's covers. Browse their web site and check out what they have to offer!
