Staying in Holland with the family for a week and looking for a few different lakes to catch some bass. I have the boat in a slip for the week on Kalamazoo lake but haven't had much luck in years past on this lake. I fished this area several times with a few bites and small fish. Did good one day on the seawall at the end of the Kalamazoo river but the big lake is tough with a 16 footer.
I am up to try anywhere within a short drive. Any tips on matacawa or goshorn? I read matacwa can be tough. I don't tourney fish and will keep the info to me, I just want to get on some new water and bend a rod or two.
Been to Macatawa once or twice. Caught a big smallmouth at the end of the piers. Otherwise in the summer largemouth under docks seemed the best bet. Docks with more depth seemed best. Lots of docks.
Also lots of boats on the weekend. Felt like a mini-Lake St. Clair on the weekend out there.
Never been on Goshorn Lake but it looks like it's worth a try.
Hutchins Lake near Fennville is decent. There is a township ramp at the end of 59th street south of M89. Normal summer patterns work. I would hit it a couple of times a year when I lived Holland. Weekends can be a little busy.
Thanks for the heads up on Hutchins lake bsb. Fished there today from 7 to noon. Water temps were 71-73 and. The water was a bit stained. I caught fish just about every way I tried. Not too much for size except for a fish close to 3lb and the lastbite of the day was a 4.5lb large.
Caught a few short fish on spinnerbait, several short fish on docks, and a 2plus on a popper. Most of the fish came on the deep weed edge in 12 to 16 fow. A Texas rigged craw, drop shot worm, and shaky head worm all caught fish.
Fun lake to fish, I will definitely be back next year...
With water levels where they are there aren't many docks on Macatawa with deep water under them. I've been told that the river between Saugatuck and Lake Michigan holds some decent smallies. Jigs and such in the wood should catch them.
If youre still in the area search this forum for "Kalamazoo" and click the thread that reads "Kalamazoo River, worth fishing?" The tips given by ROI outdoors got me started there and its a very fun place to fish. Those same spots still produce well and you can expand on whatever patterns you have going. The no wake zone between Kalamazoo lake and the big lake can be good too, try the sea walls and dragging outside bends with black colored tubes or jigs. Aside from the smallies, the largemouth relate to grass really well throughout the river so keep a braid/ punchin setup on your deck too. Good luck!
Can't seem to find that thread. I did try to fish the river between Kalamazoo lake and the the big lake several times with little luck. I will have to try again next year when we go back. If you can find that thread or the info from roi outdoors, I would appreciate it.
The seawall outside the river as you get into the lake always seems to hold fish. I caught some nice smallies and largies over the past few years. Clear water and huge chunk rock with a Senko works well. Its a lot different than the stained water of the river.