Anyone fish this lake? My father-in-law lives almost within walking distance, so I thought on the next visit I would bring a few poles and maybe my boat!
Any info appreciated
Tony
Printable View
Anyone fish this lake? My father-in-law lives almost within walking distance, so I thought on the next visit I would bring a few poles and maybe my boat!
Any info appreciated
Tony
It has been quite a few years since I have fished it and that was only through the ice. Seem to recall the gill bite always being good. There are a multitude of small lakes in that area with Bear being one of them. Hardly any of them receive alot of fishing pressure.
Thanks rico. My cousin just read an article in a fishing mag. that had a review of Bear lake. According to him, the review said the BG bite was really good. I may take my poles next time! I wanted info from anyone that has fished there incase I decide to take my boat, only to find out the article was wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by rico
Tony
Understood. But that area is an absolute Mecca for fishermen. If the bite aint good at one lake the next one is only 5 minutes away! I have fished those lakes all my life....there aint a bad one in the bunch and really an area that doesnt get talked about alot on the internet circles. If you are looking for nice crappie, hit High. If you are looking for ciscos hit Crooked. If you are looking for muskies hit Loon. Everything up that way has perch(my favorite). Good luck and make sure you got crickets in the boat!
Will do rico. Thanks for the info.
Bear lake is one of my favorite bluegill lakes, especially in the spring. The gills are really chunky. Not too much opportunity for shore fishing, so take your boat. I usually start fishing just off the ramp and go around the northern shore, then I hit the western side.
Like Rico said, there are a lot of good lakes in that area for blue gills.
Good luck
Quote:
Originally Posted by crappiewisdom
Thanks for the info.
Isn't there a bait shop by Big/Crooked lakes in the sweeping "S" turn on 109? I think I remember one there but not sure if it's open.
I know where you are talking about, but I'm not sure it's still in business. I'm not sure where you are coming from, but I usually go to the bait shop on highway 33 just north of 'busco.
That bait shop has been closed for quite awhile. I know they got some bait at the grocery store on Big Lake. Other than that nada.....What direction are you coming from?
I'll be coming from 69 thru Columbia City, to 109 then north.
Bear has some real nice Gills and awesome redear. I would start right off the launch then work my way towards the west shore. Hope this little info may help, good luck.
Well if you are coming up 69, you could get off at the Warren exit at SR 5. Take SR 5 N to Huntington. At the intersection of SR 5 and US 224 there is Bud's Fishing Hole. If you continue straight through at that intersection(Broadway) there is another bait shop(cant remember the name) several blocks down on the right. Broadway then crosses Old US 24(at Lake Claire) and then runs into US 24. If you go through that stoplight you are now on a county road...that county road(in about a mile and half) runs right into SR 9. SR 9 heads north right to Columbia City. If you decide to go this route to hit one of the bait shops in Huntington, neither one used to open very early. Used to be 8 am for both of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredff
There is also a bait shop west of Columbia City on Lincolnway(Old US 30). Mike's is the name of it.
Thanks for your help rico. I'll keep these directions.
No problem man. Give them heck!!!!!!!!!!
i talked to a guy last night that hit high and bear. he said bear gave up just dinks for him. i see in the latest IG&F magazine, there is an article on bear. could be it got hammered earlier this year, hence the article. anyway if it hasent been hit hard it will be now! magazine articles tend to harm a smaller fishery like that. mite want to look into other options in the area just in case.
he managed a couple doz keepers at high.(gills) water was low though he said.
sylvan is a great lake thats not far. monster gills, great walleyes, huge perch, fair crappie, good numbers of bass, + big channel cats and carp.
Thanks rs, I hadn't heard of sylvan. This info I'm doing is probably for next year. Do all of the mentioned lakes in this thread allow gas motors or are they electric?
they all allow gas motors.
No baitshop on Brodway in Huntington anymore. It has been gone about 2 years now. Buds doesn't open until like 9 in the morning either. I wouldn't waste your time coming through Huntington.
OK cruiser. I'll probably buy it local then head north.
Regardless of the bait shop situation......getting off at that exit would be faster than by passing it and heading NE to Fort Wayne and then cutting West to Columbia City when coming North on 69. I just pointed out because there is bait shops on the way.Quote:
Originally Posted by rivercruiser
rico, we usually turn off 69 @ 30 to Columbia City. This way via 30 is longer than thru Huntington?
Yes. I dont know where you are coming from but there are other viable options as well depending on your location.Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredff
We live in Shelbyville. We normally take SR 9 to I69 then take it to Columbia city (30) exit, then to 109, then north to wolf lake.
Well the area you are looking to fish is 30 minutes from my house. From here, if I was to go to Indy I take SR 13 down to 69 at the Lapel exit. You might look at cutting over in Pendleton off of SR 9(cant remember the highway # that goes through downtown), but that highway does hit SR 13 outside of Lapel. 13 runs all the way up to US 30 and hits it at Pierceton, not too far from CC(Columbia City). Just north of Pierceton is the best bait shop in the area, Number One Stop, at the southern edge of the Barbee Chain, across from Kuhn Lake. If they aint got it, you dont need it! From the bait shop you could could head back south and hit Old US 30(Lincolnway) it would hit US 30 just west of CC and would take you by the other bait shop that I mentioned that is just south of Goose Lake.
The way I just mentioned would be longer, but trying to get you by a bait shop on the way. Time wise I would do your normal route.....but get off at the Warren exit(SR 5, not SR 218). Follow my earlier directions, and to be honest, on the south end of CC turn left on where it says S205.....it aint very far and then turn right at the next stop sign.....that street turns into 109. Just keep in mind that Bud's in Huntington is on the way.
To "retiredff"
When you are up this way (however you get here) pick yourself up a copy of an "Uncle Larry's" map of NE Indiana. It is a detailed map of all the lakes around here with the roads etc marked out pretty well. They sell them at hardware stores, gas stations, bait shops etc. Then get a copy of the "Sportsmen's Connection Northern Indiana Fishing Map Guide" book. It describes the lakes, has topo maps, gives "hints" on each lake, tells whether or not you can use gas or electric motors , where to launch, etc. They sell them at Wal-Mart here and other places. Between those two items and what info you can gather here, you should be good to go..... to start with.
I have the "Sportsmen's Connection SOUTHERN Indiana Fishing Map Guide". We should be up there Saturday 11/10, unless the wife changes the plan. I'll pickup the guide and Uncle Larry's map. Compared to the area we live, that area is a retirees dream!
Thanks crappiewisdom, and everyone else for the info.
A big thumbs up on the "Uncle Larry's" NE Indiana lake map! The county road info is a must have when jumping from lake to lake up here. Not alot of them are right off a state highway, and there are alot of them!
Btw rff.......I found this link......I noticed that not all shops were on the list in my immediate area but it does give a general idea of what is up here with addresses included.
DNR: Find an Indiana Outdoor Retailer in Northeast Indiana
Glad to help. There are a lot of lakes around here. Of course I won't tell you about the REALLY GOOD lakes......................Just kidding.
Glad to help a brother out.