[JakeSmith]

Scanned a few pics from a trip way back.Underwater pics were taken with a one time useage camera,probably intended for swimming pool use.Sometimes I had more fun just snorkeling with these fish.When you enter their world,it really amazes you,that they are a very inquisitive sort and not only are they not intimidated by you ,but curious of you.Hope these post okay.









The location is in the Ottawa National Forest,and all bass must be returned immediately to the water.No live bait or gasoline motors are allowed.Hooks must also be barbless,all in all small sacrifices,for what it gives you in return!

[wsj_outdoorsman]

Very nice pics Jake, those waters sure are clear. What was the biggest caught on the trip?

[spindoctor]

Awsome pics,my favorite fish for catch and release. When you find them in numbers its somthing you will never forget!

[Bubbalouie]

Thanks for sharing- cool pics!

[JakeSmith]

These lakes contain both small and largemouth,rock bass,with another lake having pike and walleye.This particular lake is 820acres,with depths to 75feet.Little to no vegetation,and when swimming did'nt notice much forage.Lake has lake trout as well but never hooked any.My biggest was probably a little over 5 lbs.Not huge,but fun.The old saying 10% of the lake holds 90% of the fish seems to hold true here.Could often swim for long distances and not see any,other times find them in large groups?All the regulations are a bit much,but if it protects the fishery,so be it.The "no glass bottles or cans rule"might be the toughest of all,however never see trash on the lake bottoms,or its shores.Hope to get back there soon.Need to figure out the Lake Michigan smallmouth thing,wont have to drive 8 hours to get there.

[SRV]

Are you talking about the Sylvania Wilderness Area near Watersmeet?

[eyeman_1]

Would the location be near Watersmeet? There is still some fantastic smallie fishing in that area. Sylvania has been a place I've fished sine the 70s and it's still beautiful.

[JakeSmith]

Yes it is the Sylvania Wilderness Area near Watersmeet Michigan.Been going there for years.A nice place to primative camp too.It seems like a fragile area,although fishing for smallies seems as good now as it was 15 years ago.Even made it back to Whitefish Lake,no easy task with a good 3/4 mile portage,to catch smallies and walleye.

[eyeman_1]

JakeSmith wrote:

Yes it is the Sylvania Wilderness Area near Watersmeet Michigan.Been going there for years.A nice place to primative camp too.It seems like a fragile area,although fishing for smallies seems as good now as it was 15 years ago.Even made it back to Whitefish Lake,no easy task with a good 3/4 mile portage,to catch smallies and walleye.

Whitefish is a trek, especially if you come in off the roadside parking area. I used to pack in and deer hunt around Whitefish almost 25yrs ago. When I was much younger and crazier, my dad and I backpacked in and deer hunted for a week at Whitefish in 2' of snow. We've gotten a little smarter now and a lot lazier.

The fishing on the Cisco Chain is still good for smallies too.