DNR Managed Trophy Smallmouth Lake

[yukonjack2]

I was visiting N. Manitou Island this past weekend (boyscout trip of course), and was chatting with the National Park Ranger.  They have instituted an 18" size limit on smallmouth on N. Manitou Lake to manage it for trophy fish.  Anyone ever been there?

It is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park system, requires a ferry ride to the island, and a 2.6 mile hike into the lake.  Only foot traffic allowed.  It is a fairly rugged rocky hike with a fair amount of elevation change.  Lake is crystal clear, and lots of stands of pencil reeds.  Water is fairly shallow about 60 yards out, so you need either waders or portage a kayak or inflatable in there.  The park system is managing the lake for Trophy Smallmouth.

I walked the shoreline at first light - a few loons on the water and a bald eagle circling above - just awesome.  Walked out on a small point of land in the reeds and threw a pop-R as far as I could - first movement a 12" sucked it in like he had never eaten.  Great fighters for such a small fish.  Then the issue - no pliers backpacking, weight to a minimum.  had to find a stick to get both trebles out, and back he went.  A  few more small ones in the next hour, and back to our hiking trip.

I was talking to some fly fishing guys there, and they make two trips per year for the past several years.  With the 18"limit, they swear they catch several over 25" each trip, especially in the evening.  The wets side of the lake reeds are not accessible from the trail on shore, but they tell me they are in 10-14 FOW, and those big smallies just cruise in there all summer.

Just another 6-7 lb smallie lake for the bucket list. 

[fowlmouth]

I have fished it numerous times as a kid, family friends kept a couple alum. boats and an old k5 blazer on the island. That was back in the '80s the lake was amazing then, I can't imagine it now. After the park service kicked all the inhabitants off the island(only a handful of private, seasonal homes left in the village) we were the only ones that had a boat and a way to get it to the lake.

Last time I was on the island was deer season 5-6 yrs ago, at that time you were allowed 1 wheel, meaning a cart or wheelbarrow of sorts. If someone really wanted to and went through all the trouble you could get a 12 footer out there. The charter captains will ferry, normally evening only; but probably the only way you'll get a boat over there.