Maybe a 50-pounder this fall?

Weather this weekend calls for highs in the upper 50′s.  Expect showers…again!

Earlier this week we received this fishing report from Captain Kevin Backus, from Mr. Muskie Charters.  Kevin is a sponsor of the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative:

This seasons fishing has been one of the best that I have seen in many years for most species including Bass, Muskie and Perch.

This summer held some of the best bass and Muskie fishing that fisherman have had in years with huge numbers of fish caught as well as some great sized fish. With the Bass fishing we were limiting out in record time some days and with the charters that just wanted to catch and release them ( which is most) we were boating way more than the limit and some days over 50 bass caught was not uncommon.

The Muskie season took off with a bang and we were catching them right as the season opened. As the heat of the summer came and warmed up the waters and made us very hot, well so did the Muskie fishing get very hot. We had an amazing season with most days boating 10 fish or more per trip. This summer was also a great year for some mid-summer monsters that were caught and 3 over the 40# mark were caught around the lake!

The fall started out slow and rough fishing for September with a lot of day to be canceled due to the poor weather conditions, which made it hard to even fish and the cold fronts were keeping their jaws closed, however October has brought some nice changes and the fishing is getting much better and is more traditional fall fishing. Over the past week we have seen the numbers of fish caught rise again along with the fact that they are all coming in with fat bellies due to their fall feeding frenzy which will continue through ice and winters arrival. This past weekend during  some Muskie tournaments there were 2 Muskies caught that weighed over 39# and successfully released!! Most of the fisherman also saw good numbers of fish caught so the fall feed is fast and furious! I would say that the potential for a new lake record and the breaking through the 50# mark is a very realistic before this 2011 season is over!  The season for Muskies will run through Dec. 14^th and Monsters can be caught until then! 

You can reach Kevin at (586) 206-4172 to book a charter through the month of October.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Muskie Charters

Get out there and catch a muskie like the one below sent to us from our friend Lee Powell who is a long-time Lake St. Clair angler.  No word from Lee what he used to catch the fish but we’re glad he sent it our way.  This note from Lee accompanied the photos:  I fished in Lake St. Clair about 10 years off and on and caught many musky over the years. Finished fourth once on St. Clair.  Oh well.  No place on that lake that you can’t catch fish.  Lake St. Clair is the greatest by far.  Lee Powell, (The Banana Boat).   We agree Lee!

Another big muskie from Lake St. Clair

Where to fish this weekend:

An August 20 entry from the Lake St. Clair Walleye Association website fishing report:  Pulled BB’s and in lines, by buoy 25 area American side, got 5 nice ‘eyes, then dark.  Moved to SC area picked a few more up with wire, I got bigger fish by 25 area. 6 to 17 f.o.w. weeds and more weeds. Fish are there. 

From Captain Dan at Lakeside Fishing Shop:  Jiggers are dong well on the Detroit River near the Casino, the Sand Pile, Fighting Island and the Belle Isle Bridge.  Lots of muskie action at Pike’s Creek and Puce River.  Also a 21.14” smallmouth bass was landed from that area caught on an 8” perch Believer muskie bait.  Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and the Dumping Grounds in America waters is really hot.  Fish the Belle River Hump too with harnesses and crawlers.  Fish the 400 Club area in 14-16’ of water.  Anglers are reporting lots of perch and bass there.

A wonderful muskie from Lake St. Clair

This weekend’s MOMC Joe LePage Classic was a great one.  Did you hear?  According to Captain Kevin Backus, a sponsor of the Lake St. Clair Tourism Initiative and owner of Mr. Muskie Charters, three fish over 35-pounds were landed and one was 36-pounds!  That’s pretty good for the Opening Day weekend.  Of course the weather cooperated a little for about the first time this spring and a great time was had by all.

Captain Kevin reports the lake is in great shape now. For early season muskie, Kevin is suggesting smaller baits and start your day fishing in the shallower waters.  For charter information call Kevin at 586-206-4172 or at Kevinbackus1@hotmail.com

It’s here baby, and this is how we rock!

Dale H. from Grosse Pointe and a couple of buddies hooked this 54″ muskie near the weather bouy on Wednesday evening.  In just three hours before nightfall, they hooked 10 fish and landed 8 including this one which weighed 37-pounds.   Best bait that night was a gold bucktail.

And they missed the MOMC tournament!

The Lakeside Fishing Shop gang got out of the store and went fishing.  They were 8 for 10 in four hours of fishing and the best lure of the day was a gold Spanky.  That’s Charlie Brown, Captain Dan, young Dan McGherty and Richard Atoms.  Come into Lakeside and ask Richard what he used to land his fish.

Do you think Richard will tell you what he caught it on?

Walleyes are doing great in the lake, too.  Don’t forget them!  Best location seems to be south of the Dumping Grounds.  Reilly’s harnesses are the bait to buy.  Use them with 2-oz. bottom bouncers.  Here’s a picture of the hottest blade colors including a new color – blueberry muffin.

Buy 'em at Lakeside Fishing Shop

Lakeside Fishing Contest

Here’s a look at the board for the week of July 26, 2010.  Bring your fish into the store.

Win cash for your big fish!

Your editor will be on vacation next week so no fishing report until the week of August 16.   Until then, tight lines everyone!