Smith Lake

[8-Ball]

Hi All- Anyone ever had any luck on Smith Lake? The one right on 169 just south of Rapids.. Any info would be appreciated and thanks in advance. 8-Ball.

[Hillbillies]

Some friends and I fished there late last fall after most of the weeds were down expecting to get into some good bass and pike action. I have to say that we were heavily dissapointed with only a few small pike. This was quite a surprise as when I was younger this lake was full of big pike and nice bass. I don't know what happened to the fish as we pounded the lake heavily for about four hours. Could have been a fluke but we weren't to happy with the action. Also in the past I've had pretty good luck on the crappie fishing in the winter. Nothing enourmous but lots of nice fish. I would guess they are still in there. Hope this helps and good luck!! Hopefully someone else will chime in but I doubt you will get many responses as I don't think to many people fish the lake.

[M.T. Bucket]

My dad and I were there a few weeks back. We couldn't make anything bite. One little snake northern was the "highlight" of the afternoon. Another note, I once saw that access heavily abused in the form of massive dumps of fish(numerous), beaver(a dozen), and deer(6) carcasses--not a pretty sight . I wouldn't put it past someone who would abuse a lakeshore like that to abuse the lake's fishery as well. Maybe that's what caused the decline Hillbillies mentioned.

[8-Ball]

Thanks for the replies, boys. I guess I won't put this one on my 10 or 15 new lakes to try this open water season. MAYBE on a slow day I will drop in for an hour or two. How is the access there? Can I get in there with a 17ft/90 hp boat? MT- that news disgusts me. There are a few bad apples everywhere, I guess... I agree, bums like that may have done who knows what to the lake, as well. Not enough DNR around to get rid of these losers, either.

[M.T. Bucket]

Accessing the lake shouldn't be a problem for most vehicles.

[Hillbillies]

Yup access aint to bad. On the trip I was talking about we put in my 17 foot lund with 115 and no problems. As far as the dumping thing goes, definately feel the less morons like that around the better off we all are. Have you tried Dinner Pail just down aways from Smith towards hill city on the right. I used to have good luck on the crappies their also. It's right across 169 from Mountain Ash Drive. As a bonus, if you can figure out how to get onto Mountain Ash you'll catch more crappies than you know what to do with but the size is generally small. I have a cabin on this lake, no public access but I think someone across the lake lets people cross their land. Wish people were more trust worthy. I'd open up our gate and let as many people in as possible to try and get some of them. I think their stunted because of over population I can't catch enough to do anything about it by myself. If you get in, set up some tip ups for sure as there's lots of nice pike in the lake.

[8-Ball]

H.B.- Thanks for info. No, I have never tried Dinnerpail. Have been told there are a lot of small panfish, as you reported.. I know you said Dinnerpail was on M. Ash road. Is there a separate lake called M. Ash? Or when you are talking about how to get onto M. Ash are you speaking of the road itself being in bad shape? With old age comes confusion, I hate to report! 8-Ball

[M.T. Bucket]

8 Ball,

There is a Mountain Ash Lake and a Mountain Ash Drive. Dinner Pail Lake is very accessible (I've never fished it) and is located across 169 from Mountain Ash Drive.

Mountain Ash Lake is located near Mountain Ash Drive but there is no public access. I think a few adventurous souls make the half mile or so trek through Blandin and Tax Forfeit land to the south end of the lake. I've never fished it, but I have some friends who have found their way in while the snow was still minimal.

[Hoytmystic]

I have a friend that lives on the Mountain Ash lake. There are small crappies but nothing special about the lake.

Kyle Curtiss

[8-Ball]

MT- Yeah, I drove right by Dinnerpail today. One old 60's-era camper set up right in the middle of the lake. Thanks for the info..and you also, Hoyt. Oh, is Dinnerpail a carry-down access, or a boat launch? Thanks, 8-Ball.

[M.T. Bucket]

There is a gravel boat ramp.