Grand Traverse Bay-June

[6 lb Smallmouth]

Hey Guys,

A buddy and I were thinking about planning a trip to fish Grand Traverse Bay in June for 4-5 days.  I've never been there but I thought prespawn was up to mid-June and Mid-June to the beginning of July was the spawn.  Is that accurate?  Granted, it would depend on the spring.

Also, what would be some good alternatives if we were up there and a strong north wind came?  I spent some time on Spider Lake but I thought there must be something better.  Thanks.  Paul

[2bassinbob]

That  is about right for pre spawn. If weather turns bad you got sgegmog and elk to fish 

[Mike S.]

I will be up there the first weekend of June. The wife and I are going to hit Skegemog. Then, I'm going to try to get out on the bay. Which is better, east or west bay?

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Mike, it seems I hear more about East Bay than West. 

[robeng53]

Great place to fish and enjoy the view.  Hope to go back this year as it has been awhile. 

[Mike S.]

  Mike, it seems I hear more about East Bay than West. 

Easy enough. It will all depend on how windy it is. The little lady isn't too fond of huge waves. She really won't like the fact that we will be on part of Lake Michigan. Hope to find some fish.

[bigmojet]

I fished it 3rd week of June last year an water was still only 52 degrees on east bay. We had a cold spring up here though.

Other backup lakes I fish are Green, Duck and Long.

[2bassinbob]

That early! I would head toward town. east bay! look for dark spots. Don't forget torch. it could be hot at that time.

[Mike S.]

I hear there are rock piles and boulders in the bay. Are they hard to find?  Do you have to do a lot of searching, or do you come up on them quite often. They aren't like Elk I hope. Didn't stay there very long. Couldn't find anything but sand and an occasional rock the size of a baseball.

[2bassinbob]

If you put your boat in at elk rapids. turn right. go one mile maybe two
you will see lots of big rocks. But I would not fish that in June. more into July for their

[bigmojet]

If they are bedding check the shallows  near Yuba creek.

[djkimmel]

There's about 100,000 rock piles North of Elk Rapids to Charlevoix. There aren't enough smallmouth bass in the world to fill them all! That time of year, I'd go south looking for weeds and dark spots up on the sand, and maybe the drop offs near those areas.