lake chataqua

[Bluegillford]

I recently aquired a home in lakewood on lake chataqua, I am an avid multi-species angler and am wondering if anyone has any tips as to fishing this lake?

[DaleM]

Want to rent it out? :D Fantastic lake, Bass are great, walleyes, muskies etc. Stop at any of the bait stores. They all will help.

[ski]

Must be nice to own a house on lake Chatauqua. I go there every year in the summer. My dad rents a house right by the bridge and the ferry. he rents it usually for a week in July or August. We hit the fishing pretty hard. In the spring the smallmouth can be good, but the Muskie in the shallows is better. During the summer months, the weedbeds extend from the shore to approx. 100yds out into the water. People usually troll or drift along the outside edge of the weedbed for walleye, muskie, and bass. We rarely do very well during the dog days of summer, however, we usually catch one or two huge fish during the week.
Two years ago my buddy caught a 42 inch muskie while trolling for walleye in 32 ft of water. He bent the stinger spoon in half. We also caught a 7-8 pd walleye and what must have been a 6 pd smallmouth.
There are several areas I and many others have had good luck. Those areas are large holes within the weedbeds. All species of fish travel into and out of the weeds to find baitfish. You can catch fish in these "open" areas or around docks.
ski

PS-It seems that there are many privately owned cottages and homes that are giving really good week deals because the fishing and swimming opportunities decrease as the weeds get bad.
Also, get a map of the lake. They can be had at any store in the area. They give points to fish,when and for what species. Also check out www.wewanchu.com and go their fishing update page. They are group that owns around 10 cottages down from the Institute. Fishing can be good from their cottages to the bell tower.
ski

[reelman]

If you bought a house in Lakewood the question has to be how can you afford the property taxes-or havn't you seen them yet/ I have a house in Falconer right on the outlet(Chadakoin river) and between the taxes and non-resident fishing lisc. I need to take a 2nd.job in Ohio to pay for my fun time.
But you can't go wrong-I live on Lake Milton and dream of Chatauqua and Fletchers Floodwaters of Michigan all the time-both are fish factories. the best fishing on Chautauqua-for me-is thru the ice---you didn't go wrong-ENJOY