Lake Michigan rookie advice needed

[outdoor ran]

Looks like a few of my friends and I are going to head over to lake Michigan in a couple of weeks for 3 days. We tried it once 2 years ago for the first time. Seemed like everyone told us to go to Algoma but we decided on a quieter port. We tried Two Rivers and the fishing was horrible compared to what we were told and expected I guess. We did have thunder, lighting, and wind the 3 days.

Heres my question, were trying to decided what port to try this year. What is it about algoma that makes the fishing so much better? Can a person hammer the salmon out of another port How hard is it to find a place to stay on short notice in Algoma?

Would like to hear some different ideas for ports to go out of and any advice about going out of Sturgeon bay if the lake side is to rough. Thanks for any advice.

[Quickstrike]

This is only my second year, going to algoma, but cheffrey and crew have been going for years and it seems the fishing is always good. I assume that people can catch fish all up and down the shore, but certain towns fit certain people's personality better. Algoma is a fun town that is all about fishing, has some great tackle stores and an interesting night life I have also been to Baily's Harbor and Gills Rock in Door County and the fishing was just as good or better (cretit to lotalota, that guy knows his stuff!) and it was a bit more quiet and relaxing when we weren't fishing. I also like the cheap golf course in algoma to give you something to do in the middle of the day.

As for finding a place, I don't know how hard it would be one short notice, do you need a room? or do you plan on sleeping on the boat. Cheffrey made our reservations months in advance so I guess I'm not much help here. I would just do a few searches online and make a few phone calls and see what you find. Maybe we'll see you out there!

[Sutty]

I am not an expert, but IMHO do a lot of research on how you are setup. Little details make a huge differance in catching fish. Line type, leader length, depth, speed, are they bighting on fly's, spoons, j-plugs etc.

Most guys sleep about 4 hours at night so I don't think a hotel is worth it unless you are just fishing mornings or evenings.

[onemore]

I'm heading to Algoma next week and will be sleeping on the boat. They have a great marina in town with showers and "state of the art" fish cleaning station.

It might be hard to get a slip depending on when you'll be there.

When the town was packed and there were too many guys to comfortably sleep on the boat we have stayed just north of Algoma, but for the short few hours of sleep it's not really worth the 20 minute drive.

There's also a State Park with camping or there are plenty of RV and other camping grounds right near town.

As far as advice goes - I would look for the thermo-cline and fish above and below it (35-60ft). When you find them reset your other rods to that zone.

We use downriggers, dipsy divers and planer boards in a number of combinations. We've had good luck on white glow flies, white glow spoons, wonder bread spoons, green and blue flashers, etc.

If you want to fish middle of the day we've had success with steelhead on planer boards running out with lures only 10-18ft down.

The Cohoes are typically lower and in colder water and caught between 4pm - dark and from 4:00am - 10:00am.

Good luck.

[Tom Linderholm]

Ran, shoot me an email and I will give you a good start. What dates are you looking at? We will be out there from the 12th-19th.

[Super Black]

I fish Two Rivers all the time, in fact heading there on Monday. We've never came home without a limit of nice kings and a few bow's. I just think the weather had the fish spooked. I used to fish Sheboygan, but lots of people down there the closer you get to Milwaukee. Typically this time of year we start very early, 3-3:30 in the morning and rarely fish after 9. Some of the best action we've had was before the sun comes up.. Later in the year, like August its not so crucial to hit the water so early, but this time of year its very important... Anyway, if you need someone to talk to in Two Rivers, I'll help you out.. SB

[outdoor ran]

All good advice guys, thanks. I'm fighting hard for a trip over there. The guys are trying to convince me to go back up to Lake Nipigon. I told them theres fish to be caught over on Lake Michigan that it was just a fluke trip last time.

SB, I'll be in touch if we do decide on Two rivers again.

Cheffery, did you get my e-mail?

[Tom Linderholm]

Ran, you have mail!

[birdswacker]

Outdoor Ran, We stayed in Kewaunee a buddy has a camper out there. We fished Fri-Sat caught 6 Fri morning 15 Fri night 9 Sat morning 11 Sat night. 160-170 ft. seemed to be key for us Sat night was slow we had 5 fish at 8 o'clock then the big slam came on we couldn't get rods back in the water fast enough before another would hit. We had a very awsome triple going at one point. This was my first time out there I was very impressed with the fishing I'll be back for sure.

[outdoor ran]

Thanks for the report. Kewaunee is where we are thinking about going out of. Heard theres a nice marina there. Wonder if I would have to reserve a slip or could get one when I get there. What were some of your hot set ups? Was everything pretty high in 160 to 170fow. thanks.

[birdswacker]

Ran, I don't know about the slips but I would reserve if possible there's alot of boats around. There's Coho Hotel up on the hill give them a call don't know if there's any others. Hot spoons watermelon and purplesilver on downriggers. Flies were blue white and green white on dipsies these caught more fish than other but we caught a few off the rest also we ran 12 lines. We caught fish from 30-75 ft we marked a lot at 60-75 but we caught a few deep also had lines in the deep. Hope this helps you.

[ReelTimes]

Randy,

I have gone over there the last several years. Mostly Algoma and Kewaunee. Algoma gets crowded. I would recommend a slip in Algoma. When you launch in Algoma, you're almost immediately on the lake when leaving the marina, which is nice. If you have to launch and park, the parking in Algoma can be difficult at times, as most of it is street parking. There are more places to stay and go out at night in Algoma then Kewaunee. I prefer to base out of Kewaunee. They have a much larger parking lot and nice launch/cleaning facilities. The only downside is a bit of a "no wake" ride down the river in order to get to the lake (about 10 minutes). I have had good fishing in both locations. We still drive up to Algoma at times to fish or just to go out at night. The last couple years the NE winds have been a pain when we have been there. Because of this, we have decided to fish out of Bailey's Harbor and Sister Bay this year. We will be up there in a couple of weeks for 4-5 days.

[SFBOY]

sturgeon bay would be a fantastic place to fish out of if it didnt take an hour to get out to the fishing spots. they have a great launch in town and there is plenty to do at night, but the no wake zone between the bridges, the no wake in the canal and new bridge construction are elements that make algoma very appealing to most guys. plus the water gets deeper much closer to shore out of algoma. as a former sturgeon bay resident, the only bad thing about fishing in algoma is.... well, you have to be in algoma. roaches wont even go there to die. ok, thats a joke. i guess growing up playing against them in sports in high school has given me a negative view of that town. they took us there for our confirmation retreat because they knew there was nothing there worth sneaking out at night for. seriously though, if i was coming from minnesota or god forbid, illinois, i would find fishing out algoma the most appealing if that was all i was there for and my family wasnt with me. plus algoma hardware is outstanding for fishing gear if you can find it in the piles of stuff they have. best of luck wherever you decide to go.

[Tom Linderholm]

Algoma Hardware, drool! I will be motoring up to Sturgeon Bay once if not twice this trip out. What is the mileage to the clay banks from the Algoma harbor?

[Cheetah]

outdoor ran, if you're still in need of into, check the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council.

[outdoor ran]

thanks again for all the info and help guys. Hopefully I've got everything covered. Now if I could just get some gentle winds for 3 days

[SFBOY]

algoma is 16 miles by road from sturgeon bay, cant tell you how far exactly by water but it should be close to that distance or slightly less. i would definitely suggest trying the nightengale in sturgeon bay for a big slab of MR Prime Rib. Have been to New York City and a few nice steak houses in Texas and havent found any better. i wish i could be there, what a great place to grow up if you like to hunt and fish.

[Tom Linderholm]

Ran, Wednesday evening Quick and I will be getting my boat together. Feel free to swing by.

SFBOY, thanks for the heads up. We will be mostly grilling on river, but may make it out for a bite or two. I am planning on heading by water and checked the GPS when I got home last night. 14 miles will take me there by water, shouldn't be that bad.