Going up to grand Traverses bay for the first time . Have heard good things about smallmouth fishing the area . Was wondering which boat launch is best for smallmouth.

Are you sticking to just GTB or just any water in the area?

Was planning on GTB,don't know much about other lakes . Gonna be staying near Cedar

When?

@A-Jay. Any recommendations?

 

 

Going up July 10 for 1 week 

12 hours ago, SemperBass said:

When?

@A-Jay. Any recommendations?

 

 

Sorry ~

I got Nothing.

That place is way too busy for me.  The only time I'm in there is to Fly in & out of conus . .

A-Jay

Nothing from me, either, just a 
welcome aboard, Ed!  

Welp, I'm from 90mins south and I've never been so..... I think you're out of luck bud! :S

Yeah kind of an awkward spot for me to give recommendations. My work is done along the east side of the east bay. However, there should be a launch somewhere along 22. DNR should have a list of public launches. Lake Leelanau could be worth checking out as well but I wouldn't know where to begin. West bay can be a little wild if I'm not mistaken, make sure you've got plenty of craft.

If you're staying near Cedar, you can put in at Elmwood Marina for West Bay.  It's pretty nice but traffic is usually ridiculous.  My recommendation would be go to the State Park launch on M37 on Old Mission Peninsula for East Bay.  That's usually where I go.

I also second Lake Leelanau.  It is supposed to have some very, very large smallies.  I also go to Elk Lake/Skegemog in Elk Rapids/Williamsburg area.

16 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Sorry ~

I got Nothing.

That place is way too busy for me.  The only time I'm in there is to Fly in & out of conus . .

A-Jay

I highly recommend trying it on a weekday morning in June.  Then in September/October.  Not too much traffic and the AVERAGE smallie is about three pounds.

Thanks for the info guys. Good luck fishing this year.