Pinckney, Michigan

[32eml24]

My uncle has a cottage in Pinckney, Michigan on a chain of like 7 lakes... I'm fishing there this following weekend and I've never seen it before.  What am I getting myself into? Largemouth or smallies, current or no current?  And I don't know if there are tournaments on these small lakes but I am by no means asking for spots so don't get me wrong here, just any general information anyone has.  Thanks,
Ethan

[fiker]

There are two chains of lakes near Pinckney MI.  The Half Moon chain, and the Portage lake chain.

Depending on which, where on the chain you'll be, and what type of boat you'll be using, there are a lot of variables.   

Both chains offer large and small mouth. 

If you'll post these, I can be more of assistance.

[32eml24]

Okay, I have details for you.  Portage Chain, located on Whitewood, with access to a flat bottom aluminum boat w/ 9hp Johnson and trolling motor if needed, and also bringing my boat which is a bass boat.  I talked to my cousin and from what he said he's been catching mostly largemouth in very deep water, which makes sense for this time of year.  I am excited, it looks like a fun place to fish with a ton of options.

[DDBethke]

Ethan,

You would probably get more info if there wasn't a tourney there this weekend 

It should be a great tourney, check it out!

http://www.huron.nemesisbaits.com/

Duane

[djkimmel]

I like Portage Chain. Haven't been there in a while, but a nice variety of lakes connected by channels and the Huron River. You have little backwater lakes you can fish pads and slop in up to deeper, clear water lakes. You can also fish some of the channels in between too. I like the channel between Big Portage and Baseline Lakes.

I guess it depends on what lake you will be starting from. There is a DNR launch on Big Portage, but if that is where the tournament is launching from, it will be full that day anyway.

You could have some fun if you stay up in the smaller lakes like Gallagher and Whitewood where you are starting at. More largemouth bass in the pads and shallow. Can be a lot of fun, at least in the past for me. Fish Whitewood and then go north out the channel to Gallagher. Give that a try first.

Check out the area on Google Earth and you can see all the channels and bays available.

[djkimmel]

If you get real adventurous, take a long, slow boat drive farther north to Strawberry Lake for a shot at some bigger smallies though they may be deep. The channel to Strawberry is long, shallow and lots of current.

Stay away from the Devil's Basin though. I'm not sure why they call it that, but there must be a good reason

[32eml24]

Okay wow well this is more help than I even expected to get so thanks a lot guys. As for the tourney is it this weekend or the next?  I am going the first weekend in August.  Reguardless somebody should post what weight wins it and if it was largemouth/smallies.  If it's the weekend I'm there maybe I'll consider making donations, or at least watching the weigh in!  I am looking forward to being able to get way offshore and find some smallies, hopefully, or even go night fishing if they are clear bodies of water.  And Devil's Basin must be where all the pike hide out, waiting for 5 pound smallies to swim in so they can eat them...  I will steer clear.  Keep me posted on that tournament I hope it goes well for all who participate!
Ethan

[fiker]

Floating weightless stick baits in the river areas, and letting them go downstream can pick up some smallies.

There are a couple of islands in the middle of Bass Lake that aren't bad for numbers of large mouths, but not usually any size to them. 

Sitting in the river where one lake dumps in isn't bad either. 

I've heard that Strawberry is a good lake.  I know a lot of guys drive over an hour to get to the Portage launch, and then drive another half hour or so to get to strawberry to pick up big blue gills.  Where there's lots of gills there should be
Bass.  I've never gone that far down, but sounds good, to me. 

[djkimmel]

I believe the tournament is a week from this Sunday - August 1st. If you want smallies, your best bet is Big Portage or Strawberry overall - lots of clear, clear water. Not sure about Zukey at the far other end (through Devil's Basin past Strawberry). There are some smallies in Baseline too though I've always caught mostly largemouth.

fiker, you can't make it by boat into Bass Lake from the chain, can you? You have to launch on Bass Lake somewhere? I've never been on that Bass Lake. What type of ramp does it have and where is it?

[DDBethke]

I think Fiker meant Baseline (DK you are correct Bass is private and inaccessible from the chain).

[Hooksetter]

I'm thinking Rick means Baseline, there are some humps there that can hold some decent largemouths. There are also some nice smallies in Baseline.

If you get a chance you definately want to hit Devil's Basin. The docks there can hold some big largemouths.

My personal favorites are Big and Little Portage. I always do good there. You can catch largemouths, smallies and walleyes.

I also like the little bay in Gallagher that is off to the right if you are heading north.

Stick baits, tubes, jigs, topwater, frogs. Name your poison, they all produce on that chain.

Good luck!

Willie

[djkimmel]

I wondered if he meant Baseline, not Bass. I couldn't recall anything about public access on Bass. I remember there's a marina launch or something on Zukey. I think I launched there once in ancient times. Immediately ended helping remove a VERY heavy inland tuna boat from that shallow sand, gravel bar out from the path to Strawberry.

I think I fished Devil's Basin too in ancient times. I remember pike...

I've enjoyed most of the chain at one time or other over the years though I've spent most of my time in Big/Little Portage and Baseline.

[FOB]

Give me a call and I'll let you know some spots for next weekend.