My family and I are going to be in the lake ann area at the end of June. I hope to get in a little fishing. I’ll be fishing from the bank or at most a kayak. Never been to this area before but seems to be a lot of lakes around. Anyone got some advice on what to expect or what places to hit or stay away from? 
 

Let’s  hear it from the Michiganers. Thanks, John.

Is it this Lake Ann?

https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/Publications/pdfs/ForestsLandWater/INLAND_LAKE_MAPS/BENZIE/LAKE_ANN.PDF

 

Not familiar with it, but looks similar to other mixed-species lakes up in that area, with smallies around the sand/gravel areas,  largemouths around weeds.  Should be in post-spawn.

 

 

Yes that’s the one. Thanks for the map. Looks pretty deep.

 

John

A little finer grain compared to the dnr map...

 

https://webapp.navionics.com/?lang=en#boating/mapOptions@13&key=uq|oGtu~jO

 

If fishing up north is new to you, many lakes' best spots are deep weedlines.  I'd look at areas I could reach from shore that get 15-20 fow.

 

scott

Thanks guys. Yes, although I was in Michigan a long time ago on business, this is my first vacation there. The type of fishing will be brand new to me but I look forward to it. Thanks for the tips.

 

John

Do you know of any spots around lake Ann that aren’t private and can be fished by the shore (no boat). Thanks! 

I don't, sorry.  My lake is 3+hrs south of you at the Michigan/Indiana border and I rarely get north.  Shore fishing is always tough for me, I have to change my mindset a bit and commit to the best 2-3 looking spots for at least 4 hours, but I know others do better just always covering water.  

 

scott

On 8/4/2024 at 1:14 PM, greatlakes3dp said:

Do you know of any spots around lake Ann that aren’t private and can be fished by the shore (no boat). Thanks! 

 

I don't have any inside intel about any spots in this area, but if you look up Lake Ann on google maps, you'll see there is a township park on the north side with some lakefront shoreline, as well as a State Forest campground on the West side near the boat launch. You could check those out.

Any update to report? I was on lake Ann a couple years ago on a fishing trip in the area. It was pre-spawn and we saw an insane amount of 4-6lb smallmouth cruising shallow but wouldn’t bite. I’ve been dreaming if going back to chase those big smallmouth ever since