Lake St. Clair muskies can be caught by trolling or casting. Casting is much more challenging. This muskie was caught by Greg Ellison. Mike Gnatkowski photos
The Michigan fishing season is in high gear in July. You can find exceptional fishing for just about every species. Warm water species thrive during July, so those are logical targets. Bass, muskies and walleye are all highly active during the month, and there are plenty of places to catch them.
Lake Cadillac and Mitchell
There was a time when Lakes Cadillac and Mitchell were two of the premier walleye lakes in the state. Not so much anymore. Both lakes have undergone a transition from walleye fisheries to bass fisheries. The reason might be warmer temperatures that promote more weed growth or have given young bass a head start on walleye fingerlings. The MDNR has tried to supplement the walleye population to maintain a fishery, but it seems to be a losing cause. All the better for bass fans.
It used to be that Lake Cadillac was a smallmouth bass lake and Lake Mitchell was a largemouth bass lake, but now each is a mix of both. Bass tournaments that have transferred fish from one lake to another are largely responsible.
The 1,150-acre Lake Cadillac is smaller than the 2,580-acre Lake Mitchell, but it is slightly deeper and has more structure, which contributes to its reputation as a better smallmouth lake. There was a time when 7-pound smallmouths came from Lake Cadillac regularly. It’s questionable how common they are now, but if a giant is caught, it’s usually in the fall. The better smallmouth habitat tends to be on the east end of the lake. There’s a city-owned launch there and at Kenwood Park on the opposite end of the lake, as well as at the state park. Anglers can camp at Mitchell State Park and have access to both lakes. The contours along M-55 are consistent producers of smallies that will average 2 to 3 pounds and larger.
Typical smallmouth fare works on Lake Cadillac. Ned rigs, drop-shot rigs and jerk baits account for some exciting action. Spinnerbaits are a good way to hedge your bet to interest the largemouths, too.
The majority of the water on Lake Mitchell is 10 to 20 feet deep, and bass tend to look up. By July, weed growth is plentiful, and bass use the weeds for cover and food. Slithering a Texas-rigged worm, twitching a stick bait in an opening, or chucking a Pop-R across the surface is a sure way to draw some attention. There’s a sight drop-off from 5 to 15 feet all around the lake that bass relate to. The mouths of Big and Little Coves are always good, as are the contours found on the very north end of the lake. For fishing reports, tackle and live bait, contact Pilgrim’s Village and Resort at pilgrimvillagefishing.com (231) 775-5412.
Lake St. Clair Muskies
July is peak time for muskies on expansive Lake St. Clair. Warm water puts muskie metabolism into high gear. The behemoths need to feed more often, which puts the odds in the angler’s favor.
Lake St. Clair muskies are not as plentiful as they once were. “Muskie numbers are down from what they were just a few short years ago,” advised guide Joel Piatek. “Not too long ago, we’d have many days when we’d boat 8 or 10 muskies in a trip. Now it’s more like 3 or 4. I’m not sure what the problem is, but I suspect VHS is the culprit.” Still, the chance to catch a muskie in July is good. And some get big, like 50-inch big.
Muskies spawn in the spring in the shallow recesses of the lake, particularly in areas like Anchor Bay, and then spread out to the Canadian side of the lake as the season progresses. Many take refuge in the cooler recesses of the Detroit River. They gradually filter back to US water in the fall. In July, the muskies are widely scattered and can be caught just about anywhere.
Most guides troll at fast speeds for muskies on Lake St. Clair. It’s a significant body of water; trolling with multiple lines out increases your chances. With multiple lines out, you can experiment with colors and lure action to discover the lure de jour. Muskie guides troll at a brisk six or seven miles per hour. Muskies like it fast. Muskies aren’t afraid of the boat. Some of the most productive rods are those that are run right in the prop wash.
An alternative, though, is to cast. I’ve caught muskies both casting and trolling, and I much prefer casting. It’s a lot of work and fatiguing, but hooking a muskie with the rod in your hand is a whole new ballgame. I’d rather hook one muskie casting than six trolling.
“I probably spend about 30% of my guiding time casting for muskies,” said Captain Joel Piatek of Fish Headz Sport Fishing Charters (www.fishheadz.com: 586-243-0914). “I spend a reasonable amount of time jigging in the Detroit River, but we do a fair amount of casting, too.”
The most significant factor affecting muskie fishing is the use of modern technology. “It’s a whole new ball game with forward-facing and side-scan technology,” Piatek said; he tries as much as possible to chase St. Clair muskies the traditional way, but you can’t ignore the technology that will help you catch fish.
The chance to catch a muskie on Lake St. Clair is nowhere near as good as it was just ten years ago, but it’s still one of the best muskie fisheries in the world.
Lake Michigan Perch
Lake Michigan’s perch populations are nowhere near what they used to be, especially in the northern half of the lake. There are still a few areas in the southern part of the lake where perch can be caught in the summer. Places like Grand Haven, Port Sheldon and South Haven produce surprising perch catches for some in July. Headboats for perch used to operate out of South Haven, but those days are long gone. Still, given today’s modern technology, private boat owners stand a chance of locating perch schools in July. The ability to side-scan or forward-scan and then use the spot lock feature on your trolling motor to hold you in place is a vast improvement over anchoring.
Perch schools sometimes move into the break walls during the summer when favorable winds bring in cooler water. The bite is short and sweet but spectacular when it happens. Otherwise, there’s usually some perch hanging out in the rocks along the pier throughout the summer. How many determine whether it’s worthwhile to try to catch them.
A known summer perch hangout is a place referred to as The Trench to the southwest of the Grand Haven pierheads in 60 feet of water. The rocky bottom there attracts perch schools, which grub for crayfish, gobies, shiners and insect larvae.
South Haven was once famous for its perch fishing. The notoriety has died, but there are signs that perch are making a modest comeback. My friend Paul Elwell makes big catches of perch throughout the summer in Lake Michigan, but he’s not your average fisherman. He keeps his locations and techniques close to the vest. Still, he proves time after time that the perch are still there. At South Haven, anglers target perch at The Rock Pile straight out of the harbor in 48 feet of water and to the north off Ganges in the same depth.
Heavy sinkers to keep your bait on the bottom are necessary, although I’ve caught plenty of Lake Michigan perch on slip bobbers. Worms, minnows, spikes and wigglers all work at one time or another. The key is finding them, and you can’t do that if you don’t go.
