I have a 16.5 ft 2007 bass tracker and I'm planning of fishing LSC for the first time on Tuesday, and the wind looks like it will be out of the north at 13 MPH. Is my best bet fishing further north in Anchor Bay area? Or will the lake not be effected to bad with wind at those speeds?
Thanks I appreciate any insight!
I'd launch and stay in the channels with that size boat and no experience with the big water or like you said stay on the north side of the lake and know your limits.
Just keep a close eye on the weather and know your limits. The forecast will probably change a bit before you go out. There is good fishing all over so the channels are always a safe bet if the wind is too much
Some of the wider, and North/South parts of the channels could be pretty choppy too at times. Just take it easy and get a feel for the waves.
Watch for freighters and bigger tuna (non-bass boats that make big waves) boats for big rolling or high chopping wakes in the channels. The shallow edges of flats will knock down some of the wakes, just don't get too shallow - less than a couple feet when big freighters or big tuna boats go by. Don't get right up against a sea wall when they do by either. Move out at least 10 feet or more.
The freighters will pull a good amount of water out of canals and shallow areas as they pass, which then comes back in after they pass. Tip: this sometimes turns bass on in many spots. Just watch it in real shallow areas since they can sometimes pull out all the water or cause quite a rush. We saw an 'episode' a couple weeks ago from one of those Instant Disaster - Shockwave - I should be dead kind of shows enacted when a mini-tuna boat that was anchored real shallow in a pocket next to Seaway Island didn't move out to 3 or 4 feet of water before the big ship passed. The worst was yet to come because the effect of the water 'coming back' after the ship passed created a 3 to 4 foot 'tidal wave' right up the edge they were anchored on and standing in the water trying to hold a 20 ft+ heavy boat by hand by the anchor rope... I hate to see people learn the hard way.
Once we determined no one was injured (beyond pride) we left the area so we wouldn't get stuck towing them several miles. There were plenty of mini to bigger tuna boats anchored in sensible areas nearby to help out.
I fished St. Clair for years in a 14' semi-v fishing boat. There are plenty of ramps you can launch at to find somewhere to fish in most winds. North wind will push some of the current faster in the channels. That could create some opportunities. You could launch in the North Channel and fish in the channel and out towards Brunner Island (Grassy) / Baltimore Highway. You can fish the channel drops, sand drops, weed clumps on the edges and up on the flats. Current can make fish go shallow and deep around the channels.
You can also fish quite a bit of the Middle Channel including deep if you like river fishing (I do). The Middle is more manageable for smaller boats - reduced big boat traffic including a couple no wake stretches for boats over 26', and lots of curves. Largemouth and smallmouth bass live in it.
There's a 200' from shore or dock ends no wake in the channels for all boats - boats 26' or over have a 600' no wake. Don't expect that everyone knows and follows that, and other rules and common safety practices though a Tuesday should be a lower traffic day to get your St. Clair sea legs on.
I would do something like fish the North/Middle Channels unless I get there and find out the wind it more moderate than expected. Just remember wind and current mixed to together can do some interesting things at times.
North wind isn't generally as bad though it can bring silt down the river. The Southerly winds hitting the channel currents can do some ugly things at times.
Make sure you share a fishing report with us once you return so we can hear how you did on your maiden St. Clair fishing voyage!
Great thanks guys I appreciate the input! I have fished Grand Traverse bay quite a few times so I feel pretty comfortable with what my boat can and can't handle. But I never thought about the barges through the channels that could be pretty interesting! I'll leave a post to let you know how I do.
I share the big ship info with as many newcomers as possible since my partner and I came super close to learning that one the hard way our first time.
Glad you had some excellent fishing for your inaugural visit. There's a bunch of anglers who would like to do as good!
Hello, how did you do on LSC . With boats at 16', you have to pick your days on the lake. Most of the members run big rigs on the lake 19 to 24 ft. Boats likee our's . I run in two ft waves or less. With a shore wind at 5- 15 mph I run a bass tracker deep V pro 16 ft with a 40hp.
He posted his fishing reports in the Lake St. Clair Fishing Reports board. He hammered 'em the first time out!