So it looks like I'm buying a bigger boat this winter, and I will FINALLY be able to take a few trips to LSC this summer. I know its a long time off, but I'm already in the process of planning my first trip, which will probably be the second week of June. I plan on taking time off work and going during the middle of the week to avoid some of the fishing traffic. My question is this, what is the best place to stay around LSC? I have looked up a few different hotels, but I remember reading some horror stories from guys staying in some of the hotels near the lake. I'm looking for value and safety over anything else. Afterall I don't plan on spending much time in the room. I'd sleep in my truck at the access if it was allowed. Obviously it would need to be within 15-20 minutes away max. if possible. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated, thank you!
I have stayed at the Lakeview Motel in Fairhaven a couple times. It is close to multiple boat launches in Anchor Bay. It is not too far from the North Channel either. To park you do have to unhook your trailer from the tow vehicle. I always remove all my gear from the boat and put it in my room. I haven't had any issues. I don't have any recommendations if you aren't looking to fish Anchor Bay.
"Scott Williams" said:
I have stayed at the Lakeview Motel in Fairhaven a couple times. It is close to multiple boat launches in Anchor Bay. It is not too far from the North Channel either. To park you do have to unhook your trailer from the tow vehicle. I always remove all my gear from the boat and put it in my room. I haven't had any issues. I don't have any recommendations if you aren't looking to fish Anchor Bay.
I should say I once had to unhook my boat, one time I did not. They only have one parking space that can accommodate the whole rig.
Give the hotels on my website a call. I haven't stayed at any of them, but other guides/charters reference many of these same hotels.
I have stayed at the lakeview a few times too. It is small and usually noisey, but convenient to Anchor Bay if thats where you want to fish. You can even leave your boat tied to the seawall by your room.
We tent camped at Algonac state park twice last summer and thats prolly where I will stay when I go this summer if I cant find someone's house to crash at. I just parked the boat with truck attached right on the campsite and slept right next to it. You have north channel, deckers, and fairhaven launches reasonably close by. If you want to launch at harley or selfridge its a long drive though. It depends on the boat you get but I found its easier just to run on the water though so I dont mind launching and running like 15 miles to where I want to be. Assuming the weather is ok of course. I might try to get out there the 2nd week of June myself.
Baymont in Roseville
Many of the other hotels in this area are NOT boat friendly. This place is cheap, it has outside power, usually no need to drop the boat, IHOP next door, Meijer just down the street, Buff. Wild Wings not too far away, Hooters just down the street, etc.
It is centrally located so you can be to the south end of the lake in 20 minutes, Crocker in 10, Harley in 15, Selfridge in 20.
Safe? It's the greater Detroit area… (as I'm knocking on wood) in many, many nights in this place we've never had a problem.
Wow, thanks for the replies. I've got some research to do now. My plan is to probably start out in Anchor Bay.
Whatever boat I buy it won't be huge. Right now I'm real close to pulling the trigger on a 16ft with 60HP. Not the biggest, but a huge upgrade from my current 14ft with 15HP. Whatever I buy will be a min. of 16ft with 50HP. I know that is small for LSC but I'm going to make it work.
"Smada962" said:
Whatever I buy will be a min. of 16ft with 50HP. I know that is small for LSC but I'm going to make it work.
From what I've heard, and witnessed, you will never have a boat big enough for LSC unless you step up to a 25' cabin cruiser! I have seen a couple of 14 year olds out in Anchor Bay before in a 12' boat with no gas motor. Just electric. Yeah, kinda ballsy, but worked for them. Like always said, you just have to be smart about it. There are days where you'll be able to travel 10 miles in a 16'er. Other days, you may want to stick a little closer to land. Last Sept, I took my 2 brothers out. We spent the early part of the afternoon on the East side, and then decided to end the day fishing by 400 club. But, by the time we got over there, we quickly realized that the wind was coming out of the East, and was throwing up 3-5' rollers on the West side. People were looking at us like we were crazy, as we were grabbing air every 4th wave or so, hearing the prop come completely out of the water. The front of my boat sits pretty close to the water, but I just made sure I was trimmed up enough to where a wave wouldn't come over. Ahhh… Good times. C'mon 2012 season!! 😀
Most importantly with purchasing a smaller boat on LSC is having a VHF Radio with a 4th or 8th antena. It's worth every penny and could save your life if you run into danger. Second, is spend the money which is something like $40/year and become a "BoatUS" member. There stationed at Becon Cove Marina a will come out and give you a tow, fill your tank with gas, assist with towing issues. They also could make your life a lot easier in the event you run into boat problems on a 430sq. mile lake. Its very comfortable knowing all I have to do is make a phone call or radio both CG or BoatUS. There's plenty of places to fish in a small boat, you just have to be smart and pay close attention to weather trends and forecast. Understanding what winds out of East, West, North and South will do to the area your fishing. With a 60HP just think ahead to weather coming in because if you 4-10 miles away from a safe haven or launch you could get yourself in trouble. I personally like a bigger engine so I can control the boat in the rough stuff as well as get off the water fast in lightening. Unless your a diehard troller you don't need a 25' cruiser, plenty of areas to fish close to docks, islands or ramps. I love the way my 20ft handles LSC and would consider going up to a 21ft someday but don't need anything bigger than that.
"ricky sox wrangler" said:
Actually, that is kind of funny you posted this today. I decided today that I was going to camp at Algonac state park on opening weekend till the following tue or wed. Would you be interested in opening weekend? Or anybody else for that matter? I will have boat space for one.
I'll let you know, I might do that. It's looking more like my two fishing partners for the trip may now be out, so I'm not sure what I might do. No matter what I'm going, even if I make the trip alone. I like the idea of the campground. I've narrowed it down to two hotels if I still decide to go that route. As of right now I'm putting in for Tue, Wed, Thur (June 5-7) off work. I'd like to focus on going during the week to avoid the imfamous crowds I keep hearing/reading about. I may just take Mon. off also, and join up with you during the weekend then just continue to fish until Thursday. Almost a full week straight of fishing LSC sounds good.
No matter what I do I will proceed with caution. I've heard all the horror stories of what that lake can do. I've also spent countless hours out on Lake Michigan fishing so I know what those big lakes are capable of in a short amount of time. I'll have a GPS, and will likely look into a radio of some sort also. I appreciate all the advice and help so far!
"Smada962" said:
I'd like to focus on going during the week to avoid the imfamous crowds I keep hearing/reading about.
I know June is a lot different but if your talking Muskie pressure during July and August I saw very few boats muskie casting, like less than 1/day and that was on weekends. Pleasure boat traffic was like nothing I have ever seen before though. It made Grand Haven or Muskegon lake look tame.
"Scott Williams" said:
Good luck, remember you can get skunked on LSC as well. I am proof. I've been skunked in a 3 day trip before!
[smilie=sign-yeahthat.gif]
I was humbled there this summer for sure. 8 days and over 40 hours of casting yielded 4 fish landed for the boat. I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly but its definantly not always easy button apparently. This years gonna be different though now that I've gotten my feet wet, I hope…
"Mayhem" said:
I was humbled there this summer for sure. 8 days and over 40 hours of casting yielded 4 fish landed for the boat. I'm not sure what I was expecting exactly but its definantly not always easy button apparently. This years gonna be different though now that I've gotten my feet wet, I hope…
yeah, that big ole blue lake aint always easy for sure…the boats & waves just add to her pain. If it was only 150 miles north I'd probably never fish anywhere else though…but as it stands, only worth about 25% of my time on the water. Be safe…and never pull a Corey (fishing all day, sleeping in your boat, fishing the next day)!
368
18