Hey guys I'm new to SW Michigan originally from NJ. I fish from a kayak, and am dying to get into some nice smallmouth. Anyone have a nice small lake they recommend? Any tips on fishing the nice clear deep water you've got here would also be appreciated. Needless to say the water in NJ is not anything like here in Michigan. I live in Portage, but have no problem driving an hour or two on the weekends to get into some good fish. I'd appreciate the help!
I'm not from that area, but I know the Grand River has a lot of smallmouth and steelhead in it.
Waterfoul might be a good source on where to go. I know when I was on the west side of the state last summer he had a bunch of recommendations for smaller lakes.
You have some good fishing opportunities on small lakes fairly close to Portage, but it's been a long time since I fished any of the lakes down there so any information I have is out of date. I used to fish the lakes down by Edwardsburg when I lived in South Bend, many years ago, and have had good days on Eagle, Juno, and Diamond (by Cassopolis). There are better smaller lakes nearby too. I would recommend making some research trips to pick the brains of people would be more current on their fishing info in your neck of the woods. Here's a couple places to start:
1) Visit D&R Sports (http://www.dandrsports.com/) for info on lakes in the K-Zoo area.
2) Take a day trip down to Edwardsburg and visit Lunkers (http://www.lunkers.com/) for info on the "Michiana" lakes. There are bunch of kayak-friendly lakes in a line between Three Rivers and Edwardsburg that could keep you busy for a few seasons.
Welcome to Michigan!
kalamazoo river is full of them. gull lake in the spring (there is a big yak tournament there every year also).
if you've got a nice day, make a trip over to st. clair. Lots of smallies and they are close to shore for much of may into early june.
Thanks for the replies I can't wait to get out and hopefully get into some good fish.
I highly recommend you pick up a book called The Michigan Southwestern Fishing Map Guide. I have the Southeast Map Guide, and I know my public library owns a few copies as well, so you might want to barrow it from the library. The book gives you a lot of important information for someone just like you and me who wants to know before they go. I especially appreciate the data on the species to expect. Check out the sample pages from this link: http://www.amazon.com/Southwestern-Michigan-Fishing-Map-Guide/dp/B000GEUZ82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431540541&sr=8-1&keywords=southwest+michigan+fishing+guide
Also, like The Dude said, try Lake St. Clair for a day trip. I was a non-boater in the MadWags Tournament last weekend and my boater Mark and I caught about 30-35 smallmouths in 5 hours (he caught about 20-25). I caught few other species as well--pike, rock bass.