My son and I are about to make our 2nd trip up to St. Clair. We are also going to spend a couple of days fishing Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan. The first trip to St. Clair was a blast. We caught numbers but nothing over 4 lbs. We've learned a few things now and hope to change that this time. Someone commented on price of non-resident fishing licenses. I didn't think they were too bad. I think it's $10/day or $76 for the annual license.

Mille Lacs is great. Been there a number of times. Always caught a enjoyable number and some over 5# but nothing over 6#. Josh Douglas is a real solid guide there. Doesn’t do a lot of trip being out on the tour. Lives right next to the lake.

Went to Maine a few years back. It was unexpectedly good. Caught a bunch either side of 4#. Small lake and only a couple baits in it during the week.

One thing you need to think about is the possibility of weather cancelling a day or more. Need to ask the guide about that. That can be a issue on travel in trips.

St. Lawrence and St. Clair are on my bucket list.

Traverse area is great because there are so many killer inland lakes within 1.5 hours of there. If it's calmer you can hit the big water on L. Michigan and if it's blowing you can hit the smaller inland lakes. My Dad and I have gone up to that general area several times and it's addictive, from 80+ fish a day with many in the 3-4lb range to 30 fish days with half a dozen over 5# and few over 6#. Watching wolf packs of big smallies cruising in that clear water is something that has to be seen to be believed.. It's crazy. Beautiful place too with water visibility over 30' on the big water, lush vegetation in many of the inland lakes and the people don't trash their public places like they do in this region of the country. I know lots of people that say NY's Thousand Islands region on the St. Lawrence is an incredible place too but I haven't been willing to drive the extra distance... yet.

Never been but I'd be going to Mill Lacs! Bucketlist for sure

Rainy Lake

Alot would depend on your boat size and reliability.The great lakes sinks ships !Also alot would depend on your fishing skills.There are alot of small lakes in MI and WI that are awesome fisheries that dont draw the tournament crowd.

Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Some of the lakes haven't been fished in years. You're in a small boat with no big motor, but you can catch 50 3-5 lbers a day.

If you’re planning to fish any Great Lakes waters I’d definitely suggest doing so in an area that has some good inland lakes close by. It’s possible on a week trip to only be able to safely get on the big water a couple of days. Just something to think about

Thanks everybody. Waiting to hear back from northernadventure fishing in traverse city. However have not ruled out lake st clair. I have family in ohio, pennsylvania and new york.

St. Clair is basically Detroit. Great fishing but horrible location.

Late response to your post, but Sturgeon Bay is incredible. Spent 8 days there the end of May/first of June. My 2nd time there, my son's third time. Stayed in Door County, fished from Sand Bay up to Sister Bay. We fished every day, towed my Puma from Houston, pretty picky about our stuff so we wanted all of our equipment in a boat that we knew what it would do in bad weather. Took us a couple of days to dial it in, but then game on, tons of 4s and several over 5. Little communities are enjoyable to visit, good food and shops. Ramp in each one and designated place to park trucks/trailers. We have been there in the summer, submerged islands, boulders, points, etc., all on drop shots. If you golf, there are some great courses, including Whistling Straits which we played, site of this years Ryder Cup. Need any info, let me know.

You won't be disappointed with Captain Chris. Here's a few of our pics to give you an better idea....

Never heard back from northernadventurefishing. Waiting to hear from josh Douglas milles. Anybodyy know about Dale Hollow for smallmouth

I was planning a short bucket list trip with one of my regular guide clients to Lake Ontario at the mouth of the St Lawrence River July 23-25 the days before practice starts at the MLF Pro Circuit event down the road. Unfortunately, he had to cancel the other day. If any one is interested in flying up to Syracuse and booking that time period please call me or shoot me a DM to discuss options.

Clark Reehm
Elite Angler Academy
(479)970-3388

I am good friends with a guide at Lake Pickwick that has times of the year that he can pretty much guarantee catching big smallmouth in northern Alabama. If anyone is interesting in one of those trips, please let me know as well.