Kevin J Legg

I've read about the hand lining in the Detroit River current. That's what got me started using the heavy bottom bouncers in the River. The weights I use are around a pound or slightly less and I can troll them in 65 fow with current but they are best in 25-55 feet. This method reminds me of the old Finger Lakes Victrola Rigs we used for lakers when I was a kid. You certainly need special gear to fish deep currents and it can really wear you out. Although it's not the most enjoyable method of fishing I have found it to be highly effective when more traditional rigging is not possible ( especially with current and depth contour changes)

Chippewa Bay was high 50- 60 so LOTI should be even warmer.

I had to keep out of shallows last year at Chaumont or would load up with smallmouths.

Haven't heard of the hand lining but it sounds similar to fishing the old Victrola Rigs on Finger lakes.

Last year I caught them the first day I tried which I believe was sometime in June . Full moons were great last year. Can't tell you when they really start on the river cause in May I'm chasing turkeys, Crappies, stream trout Lake Ontario Browns and fishing Chaumont, Black River Bay, Lisbon or Quinte for walleyes. I'll let you know when I get my first River eye. Headed to do some stream fly fishing tomorrow and Wednesday.

I talked to DEC about incidentally catching bass while crappie or pike fishing and he said if you are catching many bass you should either change methods or move to a different area. I believe the law is somewhat arbitrary and tickets are up to the CO's discretion.

I believe catch and release is not allowed in St Lawrence and Jefferson County. Also if any fish is caught, incidentally out of season, you may not bring them into the boat or measure them or photo them out of the water. I'm fairly certain this is the regulation now.

Caught mine about the same depth on a downed tree.

Caught about a dozen in an hour this morning..

Trapper, I don't think you missed it. Fish are still full of eggs. We caught most in the bay's in 4-7 fow. Only caught a few dark colored ones near shore on rocks and brush. It break open any day with these warm days.

Trapper, They weren't really on but you should be able to get a decent catch. We caught quite a few in warmer bays over the top of weeds. Also a few along shore near rocks or down trees.

Boat is done it was the head gasket. Pick it up early tomorrow and heeded to Chaumont.

Fished a local lake this afternoon with my friend of 40 years, Mike Ringer. We caught a decent number of crappies, bluegill, and some incidental bass. Kept around a dozen crappies and a dozen bluegills. Nice relaxing low tech fishing. Makes me feel like a kid again. Soon time to break out the fly rod and have some real fun.

Water is low but if you follow the buoys out and trim up you should be ok.