I will be in Caro, MI (kind of by Saginaw) the middle of the month and I'm thinking of taking my boat. Where should I go? I've heard all about the smallmouth in Lake St Clair, only 2 hrs away, is that a lake that someone who has never been on it could go and find fish? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Otey

yes, you could go and find some fish on StClair. PM me if you have a minute.

btw, there are a few members here who may help you with Saginaw Bay and/or some smaller lakes in that area. search this site for Saginaw info.

Tim

You could absolutely go to LSC and catch fish with no previous knowledge. However, depending on the species you are looking for, Saginaw Bay might be your ticket. If its walleye you are looking to catch a blind man could find them on the Bay. You should be able to limit out in two hours with local bait shop information.

On LSC, I would say your best bet is to hit the mile roads. Start at 16 and drift down to 9 mile. You should be able to boat some nice smallies.

I sure wouldn't mind catching some walleye either. Is the bay hard to navigate? Decisions, Decisions.

Excellant charts of either Saginaw Bay or St. Clair should be avaiable at most or all tackle shops. Saginaw is also an excellant smallie fishery. Both LSC and the Bay are big water worthy of your respect but not fear.

Sorry for the double dip. I just noticed you are from T.H. I was born there moved away and returned to RHIT (RPI in those days).

I still have a few relatives left there.

Oh, cool. I have only lived here since December. This is where my wife grew up. It's fine, growing on me. Not a lot of great fishing, but I travel enough to get my fix.

Thanks for the help everyone.

One word Otey..... Caseville. A few more words...... Charity Islands. My spies are telling me the smallies and bigger walleye are hitting out there. You could also get into both by hitting the bays like the one just south of Caseville. There's a large point that would shelter you from a north wind. Bayview? Bayport? Baysomething is a small town on the south side of this area. A little longer drive would put you along the west shore of the bay.

What size boat are you running around with? Tell me that you've got good electronics and a GPS so I'll sleep better. CARRY YOUR CELLPHONE! Depending on where you're fishing, there are days when other boats stack in on the good spots. That adds to the safety factor when you're amongst them, but if fog sets in or you have to run alone, you want a boat that can handle big water/waves.

Last thing, get your hands on a good map or GPS chip that you can use to stay off the rocks!

Lund - thanks, that helps a lot. I only have a 17 1/2' ft bass boat. I definitely would not try to go out when the waves were too big. I do have a gps on board. Not the fanciest, does not take a chip - but I would find a good map.

I guess the Charity Islands are the ones south of that bay?

I guess the Charity Islands are the ones south of that bay?

No, look on a map of Saginaw Bay and they are located 3-4 miles WNW of Caseville. I've always gone there from Au Gres which is a little farther away almost directly west of the islands. The main island is roughly located at 44-1-53 // 83-26-8.

Here is an interest link to a map of the bay:

http://www.fishweb.com/maps/saganawbay/index.html

Here is a portion of last week's MI-DNR fishing report:

Saginaw Bay: Walleye were 10 miles off Gambil's in 27 feet of water, northeast side of the Black Hole and off the Spark Plug near Buoys 1 and 2. Near Essexville, walleye were caught in 6 to 8 feet of water off Knight Road. Off Sebewaing, anglers were heading out to the Slot and the Coryeon Reef while trolling or drifting spoons and crawler harnesses. Freshwater drum, catfish and white bass were caught. Waters north of the Slot were also starting to improve however Caseville was still slow. Those fishing the Charity Islands have caught bigger walleye. Limits of smallmouth bass were caught in Wigwam Bay and around the Charity Islands.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-34956--,00.html

Ok, found them now. Thanks for all the help!