Lake St. Clair late September

[Bassky]

Planning a trip up to Lake St. Clair in late september. Is this a good time to hit the smallmouth or is later better? Also looking for a place to stay, launch a boat, etc. Never been there. Also some good patterns, lures and areas if you can.
Catch and Release only, unless we catch some perch or walleye!
Thanks,
Dave

[WayneC]

Hi Dave:  Late September can be very good but it does get you close to a time where the bass fishing gets into a transition to fall.  Essentially, you'll be looking at the last part of the summer bite as long as the weather stays steady.  There's just no way to predict how it will be for sure at this point in time. 

So far we are having a hot to normal summer which is always good for the fishing.  Limits and average weights are up, up, up for this point in the season.  That trend should run all the way to the end.

For some of your heaviest limits you'll probably be looking for spots up in the St. Clair River.  For average limits you can go to the Lake and do OK.  It just depends on what kind of trip you are trying to have.

There are accomodations from camping, hotels and cottages.  It really depends on what you are looking for.  I know of a cottage that rents out weekly on Harsen's Island if you are interested, give me a call (248) 280-2507.

The best news is that the fishing in the St. Clair River Channels is pretty consistent then.  You can hide and fish well during rough weather.

[Bassky]

Cottage on Harsen's Island. Is this in Canada? How many people can it accomodate? Is this close to the St. Clair River and channels?
Thanks,
Bassky
Dave

[Skip Johnson]

Dave
wayne hit it on the head the fish will be transitioning and it might be a bit tough but you should still find some quality fish, if the place on harsons island has a boat well you couldnt ask for a better or nicer location to be based from.
in the future if you realy want to tear up some smallmouth on st clair try all of may till the end of july with june being about best in my oppinion.
if you want pm me when you get here and I will try to share some info with you if you need help, fishing the river is a bit different and almost impossible to learn good until you understand it so its best if a local points you in the right direction so you dont drive right over and past the fish.
waynes very good on st clair maybe he will share something with you too.

[WayneC]

Hi Dave: Sorry I didn't see your post until now but to answer your question, the cottage is a house on Harsen's Island that is on the North Channel, directly across from the Algonac DNR launch.  This is in U.S. water and puts you very close to the split between the North and South Channels.  This gives you a lot of options to run.  Especially in inclement weather.  Contact me directly if you want details. 

[kensho]

So it's the middle of Sept -- where are they biting?