Kent Lake in Michigan

BNL · 04-09-10, 04:39 PM

I plan on heading out on Kent Lk this spring/summer. I was hoping someone could give me some tips. I have a lake depth map from the metroparks website and wanted to know some areas on the lake people would recommend?

Any lure/technique recommendations? Colors? Anything at all...

I have only fished there once and so anything someone can tell me would be much appreciated. I am going to heading out on the lake with some very inexperienced fisherman and I want to be able to show them a fun time by putting them on some fish. Specific areas to fish would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

BigBassin144 · 04-09-10, 05:20 PM

BNL, first off, welcome to the site. There's a few guys here from MI that may have fished the lake. I've only fished there once with one of the members here - Bender.

One thing I do know if it's one of the most heavily fished inland lakes in MI.

BB

MallenManson · 04-09-10, 05:58 PM

Like BigB said, welcome to the site. I'm from Michigan, but I've never fished Kent

catch2288 · 04-09-10, 07:15 PM

Welcome aboard BNL. I'm in Michigan as well......oh....wait.....I'm on the Canadian side.....sorry.

MIbasser · 04-09-10, 07:40 PM

BNL, I hate to say it but chances are you aren't going to get too much information on the lake. It has a lot of tournaments (I think the most in Michigan) so nobody is really give up spots/area's. I will say that spinnerbaits, wacky rigs, t-rigs, cranks and jigs all work

I caught most of my fish out there last year on wacky rigs.

BNL · 04-10-10, 09:30 AM

Thanks for welcoming me and thanks for the comments on the lake.

Mac2 · 04-10-10, 12:58 PM

Fiind the ramp that points to an island and fish between the island and the land. Morning or evening can be good.

tim4081 · 04-10-10, 10:43 PM

I'm from the west side of MI and haven't fished Kent before so can't really give you advise but if you get over to this side of the state let me know and I can give you some tips on the lower Grand River area and area lakes.

Bender · 04-10-10, 11:10 PM

I spent a bit of time out there last year, 3-4 days per week in May and 1-3 times per week the rest of the year. From my experience it's impossible to tell you where to fish. Kent is an impoundment and it is always changing and the smallies are always moving. Over the past couple of years they have been blasting the lake with weedkiller so if you find weeds and/or pads you have a better chance to find largemouth.

The PDF map you can download here shows the river channel. In some places it is noticeably deeper and in others not. In any case it is a good place to start if you are looking for smallies which are hard to find from June-September. There are several shallow areas that will eat your prop so be careful or send me a PM with your email address and I can circle them on a map and send to you. I think there are nearly 3 tournaments per week all year long on the lake this year. The reason it is so popular is that it is a great fishery where you can drop shot in 30' or throw frogs in pads and still catch fish (on most days). It does have tough spells though. I really do miss having that lake nearby, 5# big bass are not unusual and can be smallies or largies. Here's a picture from the last tournament out there last fall of the 20#13oz. bag of 5 fish it too to win:

fiker · 04-11-10, 09:49 AM

In the picture is Brian McCarter, co-owner of Nemesis baits. (along with Bender). Together they have created a color of stick worm, called, of all things, Kent Lake Killer.

I would suggest using either thee 4" sicko worm, or the 3" drop shot goby in KLK color. Both work extremely well on kent.

It is also a great place to use a twin tail grub, on a weedless jig head.

But, like previous posters stated, there are a lot of tournys there this year. I would stay away from the Lake on Tuesday's. In addition to tx's, there are several clubs that frequent the lake, and Tuesday seems to be the popular weekday.

There is a 10mph speed limit on the lake. So plan your trip knowing that it takes a long time to go from one end to the other. There is a boat launch on the west side of the lake, and also one on the East side. Personally, I like the East launch better.

Bender · 04-11-10, 01:28 PM

Just to clarify, that's not me in the picture. Brian is on the left and another friend who came up from Indiana is on the right.

FAQ
Members List
Social Groups	Members List	Search	Today's Posts	Mark Forums Read

04-09-10, 05:20 PM	#2
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	BNL, first off, welcome to the site. There's a few guys here from MI that may have fished the lake. I've only fished there once with one of the members here - Bender. One thing I do know if it's one of the most heavily fished inland lakes in MI. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

04-09-10, 05:58 PM	#3
MallenManson BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beulah, Michigan Posts: 6,431	Like BigB said, welcome to the site. I'm from Michigan, but I've never fished Kent __________________ Bass fear me. Women pepperspray me.....

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-09-10, 04:39 PM	#1
BNL BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 4	Kent Lake in Michigan I plan on heading out on Kent Lk this spring/summer. I was hoping someone could give me some tips. I have a lake depth map from the metroparks website and wanted to know some areas on the lake people would recommend? Any lure/technique recommendations? Colors? Anything at all... I have only fished there once and so anything someone can tell me would be much appreciated. I am going to heading out on the lake with some very inexperienced fisherman and I want to be able to show them a fun time by putting them on some fish. Specific areas to fish would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

04-09-10, 07:15 PM	#4
catch2288 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ironwood, MI Posts: 44	Welcome aboard BNL. I'm in Michigan as well......oh....wait.....I'm on the Canadian side.....sorry.

04-09-10, 07:40 PM	#5
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	BNL, I hate to say it but chances are you aren't going to get too much information on the lake. It has a lot of tournaments (I think the most in Michigan) so nobody is really give up spots/area's. I will say that spinnerbaits, wacky rigs, t-rigs, cranks and jigs all work I caught most of my fish out there last year on wacky rigs.

04-10-10, 09:30 AM	#6
BNL BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 4	Thanks for welcoming me and thanks for the comments on the lake.

04-10-10, 12:58 PM	#7
Mac2 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 389	Fiind the ramp that points to an island and fish between the island and the land. Morning or evening can be good.

04-10-10, 10:43 PM	#8
tim4081 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Spring Lake, Michigan Posts: 195	I'm from the west side of MI and haven't fished Kent before so can't really give you advise but if you get over to this side of the state let me know and I can give you some tips on the lower Grand River area and area lakes.

04-10-10, 11:10 PM	#9
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	I spent a bit of time out there last year, 3-4 days per week in May and 1-3 times per week the rest of the year. From my experience it's impossible to tell you where to fish. Kent is an impoundment and it is always changing and the smallies are always moving. Over the past couple of years they have been blasting the lake with weedkiller so if you find weeds and/or pads you have a better chance to find largemouth. The PDF map you can download here shows the river channel. In some places it is noticeably deeper and in others not. In any case it is a good place to start if you are looking for smallies which are hard to find from June-September. There are several shallow areas that will eat your prop so be careful or send me a PM with your email address and I can circle them on a map and send to you. I think there are nearly 3 tournaments per week all year long on the lake this year. The reason it is so popular is that it is a great fishery where you can drop shot in 30' or throw frogs in pads and still catch fish (on most days). It does have tough spells though. I really do miss having that lake nearby, 5# big bass are not unusual and can be smallies or largies. Here's a picture from the last tournament out there last fall of the 20#13oz. bag of 5 fish it too to win:

04-11-10, 09:49 AM	#10
fiker BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 24	In the picture is Brian McCarter, co-owner of Nemesis baits. (along with Bender). Together they have created a color of stick worm, called, of all things, Kent Lake Killer. I would suggest using either thee 4" sicko worm, or the 3" drop shot goby in KLK color. Both work extremely well on kent. It is also a great place to use a twin tail grub, on a weedless jig head. But, like previous posters stated, there are a lot of tournys there this year. I would stay away from the Lake on Tuesday's. In addition to tx's, there are several clubs that frequent the lake, and Tuesday seems to be the popular weekday. There is a 10mph speed limit on the lake. So plan your trip knowing that it takes a long time to go from one end to the other. There is a boat launch on the west side of the lake, and also one on the East side. Personally, I like the East launch better.

04-11-10, 01:28 PM	#11
Bender BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Brighton, MI Posts: 2,414	Just to clarify, that's not me in the picture. Brian is on the left and another friend who came up from Indiana is on the right.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)