Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

We are an Indiana group of 8 fisherman who have traveled to Ontario the past 15 years for an annual fishing trip. Due to Customs issues/concerns and fishing limitations (and the long drive) we have decided to move our trip back to the States. We are looking at Otsego Lake and Upper/Lower Clear Lakes in Michigan. Can anyone offer information on these locations-good bluegill, bass and/or Walleye lakes?

We are avid bluegill fisherman, but will fish other species when we feel we have enough gill for a meal. We do not over-harvest our catch and practice catch and release on many fish caught - just looking for a nice lake to relax and fish in June 2014.


We have a travel trailer but prefer to rent cabins or housing on one of the lakes.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Views: 1176

Replies to This Discussion

Hi- I moved from Tri-lakes - Columbia City Indiana - to retire in the UP - I live in Iron Mountain Michigan now,k it might be a little east from where you want to go. There are a great many lake in my area. I fly fish for blue gill and one of my favorite fishing is Walleye. Also do allot of small-mouth fishing on the Menominee river that run between Wi and the UP and empties into Lake Michigan.

There many places to camp in the state forest and park an camper or RV or just set up a tent camp.I never fish the same lake twice only because I just move up here last March. I use a 16' sylvan and have fished Michigammie Game preserve north of Chapleau On. for the past 30 years;. I moved here for the very same reason you are looking for new fishing lakes.

Semper Fi

Rick

Check out goggle earth if the area around where I live. It is about 9 hr from Fort Wayne In. to give you an Idea about travel time. I use to drive 13hour to get through Canada

If I can help you in any way just let me know , it always nice to talk to fellow Hoosiers .

I meant to say West of

Thanks Rick,

I am a home grown Auburn person and very familiar with Columbia City!!  I may take you up on the assistance at a later date and may come up your way now that we have good information on the fishing in your area.   At this time we are looking for that "location" that we will spend our next 15 years.  Michigan is the logical choice for us and most likely will spend a lot of time up your way in the future!

 

Thanks again!!

I am also a Hoosier and have long pondered the.same idea. I will be interested how this turns.out.

Thanks

Jay

Good to hear from you Jay.  Not many responses yet, but it is probably because I failed to include the correct lakes.   I originally noted Upper/Lower Clear lakes when it should have said Upper/Lower Crooked Lakes.  These lakes appear to be in the same region as Otsego Lake, but all review thus far has shown these lakes to be good fishing lakes. 

i have recently been studying areas of expansion in my fishing endeavors and have come across a string of lakes in Martiny, Mi that looks very promising. Campgrounds are available.

my recent scouting from a vehicle to some of the boat launches leaves me feel anxious.. everywhere you look gives the impression of being in a wilderness. master angler listing looks good. the string of lakes are linked together and would provide a lifetime of exploring. thought id share. check out the satellite images.

 

 

boat launch... no cottages in sight... awesome!

 

Thanks Ken,

This appears to be the type of location we are looking for!! Having a difficult time finding a campground, but finally found a location on Tubbs lake.   Haven't had a response from my email and phone call, but hope this location works.  Looks like you can go from lake to lake through channels, and the lake acreage is the perfect size!!  Thanks for your info!!  And yes, it appears there are little or few cottages.. Looks like a great 'gill lake!

Havnt fished it yet but i may try early or late ice for crappies and gills. Im hoping to camp there this spring for some early pre spawn crappies and gills. Ill let you know how well i do. Glad to be of some help.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Lower numbers of Perch this Year

"This guy gave in and didn't raise his Dorsal tall for the photo!"
7 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Me too, little fightin' sports!"
7 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Cooked

"It was great! Thanks, Jeff!"
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Cooked

"Love the cast iron prep…..brings out my southern roots….looks great!"
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Always great to see these Guys!

"Love them seeds…."
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Sunny Yesterday……5/7/2025

"Yes Bruce…..the tourney folks caught the bass during their spawn….now the bluegill…"
20 hours ago
John Sheehan posted photos
22 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Very Sunny Yesterday……5/7/2025

"It seems you've been running into bass lately. After watching that bass tournament it…"
23 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Gravid Shellcracker…..5/6/2025

She was around an old prehistoric cypress stump….
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Fishing was tougher behind last nights frontal boundary….surface temperatures at 76 degrees today…25 total fish…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beast of a Coppernose…..5/3/2025

"Thanks Troy…..these are my addictive dynamics…."
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Few More Weekend Winners on the Estuary….5/5/2025

"Thanks Troy….we’re taking off with the full moon next Monday…"
yesterday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Tuesday
Troy Dorman commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Tuesday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Monday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Beast of a Coppernose…..5/3/2025

"Thanks Bruce….not sure what’s going on but glad you got back on…..these fish…"
Monday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service