Great Lakes - Erie Islands | Detroit River | Lake Huron

I'll be taking 10 days to cruise and fish, with my wife (1, maybe 2 of the kids), leaving from home port of Spitzer Marina to the Bass Islands and to Lake Huron this summer (don't think I'll get to Georgian Bay). I have charts (paper and e), and cruising club guides, but I'd like to hear from members any thoughts about your best courses and harbors.

With the price of gasoline, I'd like to really optimize my route efficiency with nice accommodation and opportunities for walleyes and muskies. I'm not worried about wind/weather, and I'd like to sit on the hook for 3 or 4 nights.

I know Lake Erie very well but not the Detroit/Canada areas.

Thanks

How far north you going?

How far north you going?

Not sure . . . maybe Port Austin / East Tawas. I'm originally from Northern Michigan and know the Cheboygan/Macinac/Beaver Island circuit, and spent lots of time in the north channel as a kid.

I have a 265 Albemarle, which is on the small side for cruising. We can trailer the boat north for Charlevoix, etc; but I'm not likely to head north this summer; I'm focused on seeing what's "locally" available.

I recommend the harbor in St.Clair and Lexington in the lake. Port Huron is ok. Try to schedule around Sarnia's Bayfest, St. Clair's boat races or the PH to Mackinac race. Good times.

I've stayed here before and thought it was great place to dock.

http://www.algonacharbourclub.com/ahc1/

Harsons Island is pretty and kind of old timey.

Folks I know who cruise always say to check weather real close before crossing Saginaw Bay.

Something to do with west winds kicking up a crazy chop because Saginaw Bay is shallow.

Lake St. Clair area is very popular. What that means is that very busy on weekends!

Sorry I can't help much...

I've stayed here before and thought it was great place to dock.

http://www.algonacharbourclub.com/ahc1/

The Harbor Club is on the North Channel of the St.Clair river. Down where it dumps into lake St. Clair (about 5 miles) is decent musky fishing. Also good walleye in the channel.
Jim.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Heading northwest Tuesday, the 5th. Let me know if anyone's likely to be crossing from Vermillion/Kelley's area up to Detroit River, and I'll give you a hail.

If anyone has more recommendations, please post them.

If your near Presque Isle Michigan. Great state run marina. Fishing good too. I've stopped there many times, always enjoy the tranquility of the place. The local fisherman very friendly, salmon is the prize there. You can anchor also just out side the marina see boats do it every time I'm there. The run up the Detroit river is fun too. When we head north we always would run to Sarnia the first day from the islands. It's a 150 mile and takes us about 5 hrs run time we will fuel at Port Huron then go across the river to Sarnia for the night. Good Irish Pub a stones throw from the marina too. You'll have tons of fun.

Boataholic & JG: We stayed at Algonoc Bay Harbor and were very pleased. $55 for the night included everything (RR, Shower, Pool, electric, water, and 20Lb of ice). The dock and all amenities, including last-minute reservation on ch 17, were great.

We stayed at friends on the Clinton River the preceding night and found out King Salmon can be found in the northern end of Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River. We trolled for about 3-4 hours in the morning and early evenings, but didn't scare one to the lines. We saw at least a dozen breaking free of the water (big mayfly hatch the previous night), but didn't get them on spoons. Lots of perch, walleye, and muskie fishermen. MAN, that's some clean, blue water coming in from Lake Huron!!! Water temp off Avon Point is 72 . . . 62 in the St. Clair River.

We will definitely be going back to stay at Sarnia and smaller harbors (perhaps on the Canadian side, but checking in and out of customs each time you "touch" one shore or the other is a PITA).

Thanks to all for input. Feel free to post any questions if you want more info on crossing/timing up the Detroit, into St. Clair, etc. We passed several interesting opportunities since we were limited to only 6 days of vacation time, but the trip is still pretty clear in my mind, and the logs are up to date.