Every year a couple of my guy friends go on a 2-3 day fishing trip. Typically it has always been around the Cadillac area and mainly fish mitchel and Cadillac.
This year we want to try and change up some things. I really like fishing Fremont lake, usually do pretty well there and am wondering if there is any other lakes in and around that area. (Like an hr or so drive). Let me know what you guys have fished around here and I'd love to here about some more lakes in the area!
I've had Fall weekenders to that area a few times but it was a few years back. There's a chain of lakes including Kimball and Pickeral, as well as Hess and Brooks lake that I fished. They all looked great. Success was marginal but I remember the conditions were terrible at that time. It was late September and we had a massive cold front come in that included snow and freezing rain in late September. The week before it was in the 60's and beautiful. The water temp dropped 10 degrees over night on the first day. Based on how the lakes looked as far as weeds and cover, it looked like those lakes have the right stuff to produce good bass fishing.
Muskegon and White are within an hour of Fremont. Croton and Hardy aren't that far either. Lots of other puddles in the Newaygo area as well. Time of year would determine where I would go fish. White would be at the top of the list though.
Not sure if you know about it but Dan puts on the DK open in May on Lake St Clair. It is for members of this site. It is a great way to get out fishing on the lake with experienced boaters. Members without boats are paired with members. If you have a boat you can usually follow someone. Watch for details on the DK Open.
Pickeral/Kimball are connected and both fish decent. Bigger fish usually found in Kimball. Lots of pike in both too.
Brooks has some HUGE bass in it and almost NO pike. Hess Lake is a pit. Many of us call it Sess Lake. There are almost NO weeds in it, but if you like to dock fish, have at it. Personally I won't put my boat in that water (green most of the year).
Not too far away are the Whitefish Lakes. Both fish well, both have good sized fish. The ramp for Big Whitefish can be hard to find if you don't have some local knowledge (township ramp, dirt, no dock). Little Whitefish has a nice DNR ramp, cement with a dock.
if you want to have fun, dont go to hardy or croton.
Depending on time of year -
white lake is always good. Kimbal/pickeral were bad last summer, but always have good potential and good early/late in the year.
Diamond and Big Blue also can be good for LM (between newaygo/baldwin).
if you want to go for smallies - Pere Marquette lake by ludington or Pentwater should be about an hour (ish)