Paul Trybul Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 This time of year is tough on a hard core smallmouth chaser. I can’t help but look out the window at the snow and ice and think about what cool places I can chase smallmouths in 2009. The internet is a wonderful thing and there is so much information out there. Now that my brain is in planning mode I’ve been researching some interesting destinations for 2009. I know there are some big time destinations out there like Quetico, BWCA, Rainy Lake, Lake Erie, Lake St Clair, Lake Champlain, 1000 island area of the St Lawrence, Dale Hollow, and a few others. I am looking for something closer, say 6 hour drive or less from Northern , IL. I have a 12’ boat with a 20hp, a kayak, a canoe, and some good wading legs at my disposal. My research has led me to a handful of decent opportunities. I just wanted to start a discussion on it to see if anyone has any experiences on these destinations and would be willing to comment in a PM or open discussion. I know Illinois has some decent smallmouth fishing but my eye is heading north in search of scenery, solitude, and big bruiser smallmouth. Late Spring/Early Summer A lot of my research tells me the Green Bay area is a good place to be to get into a trophy smallmouth. This area would include the tributaries like the lower Menominee, Peshtigo, Oconto, and Fox Rivers, along with different bays and estuaries within green bay and Door County. Supposedly there was a huge year class from about a dozen years ago and these fish are mature now with many catches for fish over 20” and 5lbs. The late spring seems to be the time when they come out of the big lake and make their move into the shallows of the bays and tribs. Vilas County Lakes look very interesting as well for this time of year. I’ve researched about a ½ dozen lakes that have that nice northwoods feel with clear water, pine tree covered shores, loons, bald eagles, and big smallmouth cruising the rocky shallows. Unlike Sylvania an hour north, I can fish these lakes from the comfort of my boat. I would probably target the lakes that have special regulations. I’ve found quite a few that have 1 fish 18” minimum regs and all lakes are C&R for bass up to June 20th. Also it seems like no one fishes for bass here. Everyone is targeting the finicky walleye or musky. Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior. The 1 fish 22” minimum regulation on smallmouth bass should keep this fishery a trophy one for years to come. This is big water though I would probably need to hire a guide instead of risking death in my small boat. I also hear that if the winds are blowing the wrong direction the fishing can be shut down for several day ruining a planned trip. From what I read it looks like my best bet at catching a true trophy within 6 hours of Rockford, IL. Summer/Early Fall Lower Wisconsin River I was thinking about loading up my boat with camping gear and making a long weekend on the Lower Wisconsin somewhere below the Prairie Du Sac dam and the confluence of the Mississippi. Run the river most of the day fishing and exploring and then camping on one of the many sandbars. I hear the smallmouth fishing can be fantastic and the multi-species opportunities are just out of this world. Smallmouth & largemouth bass, pike, walleye, musky, panfish, sturgeon, catfish, white bass, paddlefish, and many other species are found here. The scenery is supposed to be outstanding as well. Drift less areas of SW Wisconsin, NE Iowa and SE Minnesota: Most of these rivers are too small and fragile to name. If I’m looking for scenery, solitude, and some good exercise, this looks like the place to be. I would be trading the trophy potential smallmouth fishing for numbers of fish in the classic riffle, pool, run habitat. There is also good trout fishing opportunities in the upper reaches of these rivers and the spring fed tributaries. There is not much information out there on this area but from what I’ve read some of these places are truly special. Canoe/Camping River Float trips: There are quite a few smaller Wisconsin rivers within a 6 hour drive that hold potential for good smallmouth fishing. I would look for areas of the river that are ideal for canoeing but too shallow for boat traffic. I would also want to have nice scenery and quality smallmouth fishing. My short list includes the Upper Menominee River, Upper Wisconsin River, Black River, Peshtigo River, Chippewa River, and St Croix Rivers. Again there is not a ton of information out there on these rivers. I have researched enough to know they all hold the potential of a great northwoods experience and outstanding smallmouth fishing. It would just be a matter of fishing the right area of the river under the right conditions. Exploring and finding your own new honey holes is half the fun and hopefully I’ll do some of that next summer. Anyone else dreaming and planning of 2009 smallmouth fishing destinations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rich mc Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 iwill be planning some fishing on the mississippi, either by the quad cities, and farther north. not to mention the rock river, i want to hit it more from sterling downriver. there was an ISA campout the last two years on the rock, may be time to have a one on the kank or shabb . rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Buric Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Paul You're right about green bay,this spring I caught and released a 22'' smallie in Door county.I also heard a credible rerport of a 7# 11 oz smallie caught while I was there. Ed B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim J Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 Ed, I heard about that fish.... Monster indeed..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Clifford Posted December 25, 2008 Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 If I get to the Kankakee 6 times, it will be one more than I fished it this year. .....and I'm 15 minutes away. Less work, more fishing? Not in this economy....but I'll try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Trybul Posted December 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2008 QUOTE (Ed B @ Dec 24 2008, 04:59 PM) Paul You're right about green bay,this spring I caught and released a 22'' smallie in Door county.I also heard a credible rerport of a 7# 11 oz smallie caught while I was there. Ed B A 22" smallmouth must be a real toad. 20.5" is the biggest I've ever personally witnessed. Those lake run fish have some shoulders and solid weight for their length from what I've seen. Yours must have been over 5 pounds and maybe even over 6. Fish like that are rare everywhere but its still nice to know you're fishing in an area that has that kind of potential. I know there are some shore fishing opportunities but from what I've read you need a good sized boat to maximize the Door County opportunities. There are some islands and reefs off of Door County that produce big smallies most of the summer too. Lake Michigan rules apply to some of the tribs up to the 1st dam. Is it still a 1st Saurday in May opening season for bass fishing the Green Bay area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OldBamboo Posted December 26, 2008 Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 PaulT: Just in case you aren't aware of it, Powerton Lake State Site is a good Smallie Lake located just West of Pekin, Illinois. Some very good numbers of Smallies are caught there and some in the 3 and 4 lb. class. Fishing from a boat is the most productive method but in so doing be advised as to the "blow-up" potentials of that lake. There is a wind indicator tower at the ramp and when you see the red light come on it's time to get off, pronto! Some nice White Bass can be caught there also! Dan (OldBamboo) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Buric Posted December 26, 2008 Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 Paul Yes it's still the first saturday in May and the Lake Michigan rules do apply.A good boat is a plus on the big lake but you always have to be careful out there.Remember 1000 foot ore carriers have been sunk out there. That said,there are places to wade and sheltered bays for a small boat. Ed B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonn Graham Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 My plans for 2009 include a trip with the family up to Four Seasons Resort on the Menominee river. This will be a combo family trip and fishing trip for me. The resort sits right on the river. I can wake up, walk out, get in my canoe and take off as the sun is coming up...........cannot wait. I also want to get back up to the North Eastern area in Iowa. Went there years ago and fished the Maquoketa River. Small river with great fish and scenery. There are other rivers up there as well like the Turkey and the Volga. Hoping to run up there for a few days maybe in August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pts9889 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 QUOTE (Ed B @ Dec 24 2008, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Paul You're right about green bay,this spring I caught and released a 22'' smallie in Door county.I also heard a credible rerport of a 7# 11 oz smallie caught while I was there. Ed B There was a guy in my bass club that caught one over 7 off of Washington Island back in 2007. I think it was 7-11 and the picture was incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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