Manistique Lake

[Duke]

I am debating a trip to the Manistique Lakes in the UP this upcoming July. The problem I have is a lack of information. Does anyone have any?

I am not one to ask for spots or even baits. Rather, I want to know which lake has the best fishing and biggest fish. Is the place even worth going to? Smallies or largies? or both?  could go elsewhere. General information would be sufficient and appreciative. 

[skeeterman190]

 IT DONT MATTER IF THERE BIG OR SMALL YOU WONT CATCH THEM LOL...NEVER HEARD OF THE PLACE

[MSURoss]

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/BigManistiqueLake_184274_7.pdf

[Jmeis]

I was born in the area and have fished all 3 of the Manistique lakes for many years. The Big lake has a decent population of smallies in it and they are fairly easy to catch at the least the first couple of weeks in July. That being said it is a big lake that is predominately shallow. There are many good breaks, weedlines and flats that will hold them. A couple of things to consider are the chance to pick up a few walleyes as a bonus and the other two likes are close and can offer alternatives if the wind kicks up. If you are going during the Holiday the parade in Curtis is old school and can be fun. If you decide to go drop me a PM and I will hook you up with a couple of spots.

Jerry

[bigmojet]

Isnt Brevoort a decent smallie lake which is about 45 minutes away?

[Jmeis]

yup lots of good lakes around and the beauty is many of the locals consider smallies trash fish so they rarely bother with them.

[Duke]

Thank you for the information guys! I will be there between July 7-14.  Sure hope to tag some fish.

[FISH21]

The largemouth numbers were pretty good on the South lake a few years back, not sure how it is now. Most fish are gonna be around the 15" mark. If you get into the smallies they are BIG on that lake, i've never caught one under 3lbs. With that being said they were always a challenge to find. The big lake has a lot more numbers of smallies and a lot less largemouth. The bass up there are very underfished so either lake you choose you should end up doing pretty well.