Thornapple Lake fish report 4-30-16.

[Just Steve]

I contacted Rich earlier in the week to see if he was available to go with me, last thing on Friday he had a soccer game he had to attend so wasn't able to make it.....backup plan, I called my neighbor and fishing friend Tom Shumaker to see if he was able to go, and he was.
We started out at 8:00 for Thornapple just a short drive for me, when we arrived the parking lot and shoulder of the road was full of boats and trailers but luckily no wait for us to launch.
We started by fishing a canal in hopes there might be some crappie, I got one nibble there at that was all.
Since today was the opener for both pike and walleye our next plan was to troll for a while. I put on a Berkley flicker minnow in pink lemonade and a fire tiger Rapala Husky jerk, not sure what Tom had on his lines but the result was the same.....nothing.
We pulled in our lines and headed across the lake over near Charlton Park and tried crappie again by the downed trees.....nothing, and I was wearing my lucky crappie.com hat! So much for lucky superstitions.
Finally we headed over to a spot protected by the wind where my son Chris called and said they were catching a few fish. Tom got the first fish soon as I dropped anchor. We were fishing shallow 5-8 feet in the weeds. Tom ended up landing 4 bass, I caught a goose egg 0. Over in my sons boat they caught 1 bass and 4 keeper panfish.
We had a constant companion following us everywhere we fished along that wind protected shore, a big swan all by itself.
Day was cool and overcast, wished I brought more clothes but we got the day in, caught a few fish, and this proud dad watched his son go on his first fishing trip in his own boat....all on his own, maybe that proud moment was my catch of the day.....




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[Just Steve]

My son Chris in his new boat that used to be mine, so glad it stayed in the family.



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[yankee doodler]

Great report Steve. Your qualified for the Slider Contest too.

[Boh]

Thanks for the report Steve. I hope this weather passes thru soon as it is sure slowing down the fishing.

Boh

[steelguy]

MAN......sorry I missed you guys!! I did not check this site sat night or sunday!!!!
this cold and rainy weather has me bummed out!!!
have been working so much that sunday is rally my only day (unless I use some vac time) and the rain and cold just irked me so much I stayed home... and I had bought 4 dozen minnows sat hoping to fish on sunday..
I think it will still be another week, maybe even a bit longer before they really get up in the trees...
I may go try leach or middle for an hour or so this week..... Charlton park boat launch closes at 8... and I do not want to get locked in!!
better luck next time!

[Just Steve]

Charlton park boat launch closes at 8... and I do not want to get locked in!

John don't now if you knew about the DNR boat launch on the south east side of the lake, take the dead end road next to the Morgan store and it takes you right to it. It isn't gated and always open.....free too.

[steelguy]

last year , when I fished that end of the lake once I noticed it, but did not see any dock? Never drove over there to check it out, have always just used the one at Charlton park, they have a booth there but I have never seen anyone in it and have never had to pay..., just have to be out by eight!
may try there again on thurs