St. Clair or Winnebago?

[ifishman]

I am trying to decide which of these two waters to fish on weekends this summer. Any opinions? Both same distance from where I live (Northern Indiana).
Which one is easier to learn/fish? Same tactics for both (trolling, jigging, etc.)?
Which has more species besides walleye to pursue?
Which one is more prone to bad (windy!!) weather conditions?
Under windy conditions, which can I still fish inside bays/coves?
If you have fished both, please rate each fishery. Thanks for any and all opinions/help!!

[little bago fish]

I don't know anything about Lake St. Clair (except that it has a good muskie population), but fishing on Winnebago is primarily a search to find 20" fish. There's tons of little ones and you could fish for years before you get something 6lbs or bigger. Lots of fish, but they run on the small side.

[Meathead]

Ifisfman,
Have you considered Lake Erie? Isn't it closer to you than Lake St. Clair? If you are hunting Muskie, Lake St. Clair is the choice. If it's perch and/or walleye, Lake Erie is a better choice all things being equal. If you have the boat to fish the Western Basin.
Meathead

[TYEEE]

I've heard many good things about St. Clair and will get there someday, Winnebago is my backyard so I fish it often, If you get this way you won't regret it, The system is large enough to fish for many species if weather isn't cooperating! The hungary 2001 year class (9-14") are everywhere, Estimated to be over 1 million in the system, The fish migrate everyyear up river and the '96 year class is spread out through the system with a lot still in the upper lakes. Over the next 4 weeks the fishing will be getting better. This past week was unusually slow for the trollers but they will turn on again, If you put your time in, you WILL get large fish, Although Erie does put larger fish in your box. The Winnebago system offers all sorts of fishing, and it is not uncommon to put 5-10 different species in your boat daily. No Muskies here but 25-35" Northern are common. Walleyes have been taken at 28" this year and the Gills are on the beds as I write this. You will like the lake and its surroundings, If you decide to come this way, give me a call and we can help you out!
Good Luck
Tyee

[scooter]

I would do both...fish bago one weekend and St.Clair one weekend.
BAGO is awsome this year.Yes there are lots of small fish but there are loads of good fish to 25"+ you just have to find them.I havent fished St.Clair but bago can have 5 or more differnt bites going at one time.Trolling the reefs, trolling the mud,shallow weed bite shallow rock bite, slip bobber bite, jig bite crawler harness bite it never seems to end on all the differnt bites and that just on bago... now add the upper lakes and wow.


scooter

[ifishman]

How restrictive can Winnebago be when the wind blows? Are there areas to get out of the winf and still fish?

I have a Ranger 617 - Big enough boat to handle this water?

[Tom (mich)]

St. Clair can be awesome, and you'll have your pick of eyes, smallies, perch or muskies. The one downside is that the place can be a zoo on weekends (but probably Bago is as well?) If you come, get yourself a Canadian license and get away from the crowds. Be aware that you'd be subject to a slot on the eyes (one over 18.1 inches) and can only use one rod per guy.

[ifishman]

How bad is it on weekends around the Fair Haven area? Fishing boats or pleasure boats or both?

[Tom (mich)]

Definitely both. Moreover, the Fair Haven region probably won't be your best bet as the water warms. For sheer action, the southern Canadian shore can't be beat. Just try and troll a harness or crank for more than 15 minutes without something whacking it.

[scooter]

Bago can rock and roll if you get a strong north or south wind.But you can normally find some where that have fish going.Im sure St.Clair will get rocking to if there is a good wind.Also Bago is big enough to handle the boats.


scooter

[ifishman]

tom-
you obviously know St. Clair. Can I e-mail you dso we can talk further? My e-mail is tfishintom@aol.com. Thanks.

[Tom (mich)]

Not a problem. I tried sending you an e-mail, but my office server is goofy. I'm a registered user, so you can simply get me that way if need be.

[Doc_wi]

If Winnebago is too rough you can stil find fish on the upper lakes, (that is Lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des morts). Plus the Wolf River has a good year round population of walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass, plus catfish to tug on your line. Your 617 would miss zero days due to wind in the "Winnebago/Wolf River System".