I’m just curious if anyone is targeting smallies up there yet. We will be coming up in Sept/Oct, and I haven’t heard anything about the numbers of smallmouth being caught this year. I assume it’s still close to as good as it has been the last couple years, but the trip is getting closer, so I feel the need to discuss it…
May not help you much for Sept/Oct, but here is the most recent update from the Smallmouth Alliance.
I think he made a mistake when he said the water temps were in the upper 80’s.
He probably meant lower 80’s and upper 70’s.
September to October is the best that it gets for smallies on that lake. I can not wait for that bite
September to October is the best that it gets for smallies on that lake. I can not wait for that bite
In the last two years, this has become the week I most look forward to of the entire year. It really is incredible.
What do people use for small use at that time snd what side of the lake is best? TIA
What do people use for small use at that time snd what side of the lake is best? TIA
I have done OK using jerk baits when the water starts to cool off. Or a kietech swim bait. Some people use minnows. I prefer the east side of the lake because there’s more rocky habitat.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some of the access points are VERY shallow. To the point where you won’t be able to use them depending on how big your boat is. Maybe we’ll get a monsoon of rain soon that will help alleviate that problem.
Thank you! I will be staying at southeast side(Isle). Any good launches near there and is the small mouth habitat good around there? TIA
Thank you! I will be staying at southeast side(Isle). Any good launches near there and is the small mouth habitat good around there? TIA
I have heard that Isle public access is in rough shape since its built into the Thames River, so probably not that one. Drive a little further north and Liberty Beach should still be OK. Otherwise there are a couple private accesses at resorts like Macs or Hunters too. I haven’t been there in over a month so maybe someone else can advise you on what access is in the best shape at the moment.
Thanks for the info!!
Just to follow up, another great fall trip up there. But for some reason I feel like the fishing is better when the weather sucks. It was really nice for the most part. Between 2 boats we managed a lot of smallies, with 13 breaking the 5 lb. mark. I think we picked up about 10 nice walleye, and one entirely too aggressive rock bass for the bait he ate. Oh, and a loon…
I’m failing at attaching a pic…
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Nice fish. Agree with the weather my best days are when the waves are cracking the bow. Had similar results last weekend. Had to cover more water than I normally would with the nice weather.
The water is still a bit warm, I’ve been up a few times the last month. We’ve had some pigs, but not many. It will only get better as water cools. They were a lot chunkier last week than two weeks previous
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