|
|
ELBERTA
South Breakwater
Description
The steel structure is about 2,100 feet long, with a cement cap section in the middle that gradually slopes to ledges on either side. Disabled anglers are limited to using the flat top section, which varies in width and has no railings.
The first 75 feet, which is on shore, is a 12-foot-wide cement walkway. It leads to a 17 1/2-foot-wide cap section that runs for 230 feet and contains riprap to the bend. A third portion is 770 feet long and almost 22 feet wide. The last 1,100 feet is slightly more than 7 feet wide.
Access
From the parking lot, anglers travel about 250 feet along a board walkway to the structure. Owned by the Village, the 8-acre site lies next to the breakwater and gives access to about 1 mile of public shoreline to the south. Surf anglers can fish this stretch. The South Inner Pier is on private property and is inaccessible except by wading from the breakwater.
Amenities
The paved parking lot has spaces for 30 vehicles. Vault toilets that are not barrier-free service the public.
Betsie Lake Fishing Platform
Description
The structure, which is 160 feet long and 16 feet wide, is located on the south shore of Lake Betsie at the old ferry boat dock. The platform extends past riprap and features a cantilever design with a partial roof. Funding support was provided by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
Access
Anglers travel 250 feet from the parking lot to the structure along a 5-foot-wide paved walkway.
Amenities
The walkway contains benches en route. Designed to provide barrier-free fishing opportunities, the platform features standing and seated fishing stations that alternate. Standing stations feature a 42-inch-high safety railing. Seated stations are open but have a 4-inch-high toe plate for safety. The parking lot has 30 spaces, two of which are barrier-free. Barrier-free restrooms are located at the former Coast Guard lifesaving station about 200 feet away.
Description
What's Hot?
- Brown Trout
- Chinook Salmon
- Coho Salmon
- Freshwater Drum (sheephead)
- Menominee
- Steelhead
- Yellow Perch
A strong northwest wind sends North Breakwater anglers from Frankfort to the protection afforded at Elberta. Brown trout fishing in spring and early summer can be exceptional, and summer anglers catch a few yellow perch and the occasional freshwater drum. From mid August to mid September, chinook and coho salmon return, followed by a few browns in October, many menominee in early November, and steelhead until winter.
Tactics
Spring trout anglers score with small bags of fresh steelhead spawn fished off bottom or by casting Krocodile spoons in pearl or blue and silver. Perch and drum take wigglers, small minnows, or single waxworms. Salmon prefer big wobbling plugs like Flatfish, Hot n Tots, and Wiggle Warts in hot fluorescent or glow colors. A rated local lure is Spinner Bills Casting Squids in clown, frog, and phosphorescent colors. Fall trout anglers rig egg hooks with salmon spawn or throw orange and silver or orange and gold spoons and spinners. Menominee fishermen rely on boiled single salmon eggs, which they pin to a tiny egg-style hook and fish around the drowned riprap with a split shot and light line. For bait, tackle, and updated fishing information, contact Elberta Sport Shop, 603 Frankfort Ave. (231-352-9474). The Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce is at 515 Main St. (231-352-7251).
Additional Information
Area Accommodations
Camping is available at Elberta Beach Camp Company, 601 Frankfort Ave. in Elberta (231-352-6480).
Map of Access Area & Driving Directions
|
|
|
South Breakwater
From M-22 in Elberta, turn west on Frankfort St. and drive 1.9 miles to Bye St. at the top of a hill. Turn south and go 0.2 mile to the lower parking lot.
From the parking lot, anglers travel about 250 feet along a board walkway to the structure. Owned by the Village, the 8-acre site lies next to the breakwater and gives access to about 1 mile of public shoreline to the south. Surf anglers can fish this stretch. The South Inner Pier is on private property and is inaccessible except by wading from the breakwater.
Betsie Lake Fishing Platform
Drive 1 block past Bye St. to the site.
Frankfort North Breakwater: From M-22/M-115, turn south 1 block to Main St., and drive west to Michigan St. Turn north 1 block to SAC St.
Frankfort North Inner Pier: Continue on Main St. to the end and the parking lot.
Anglers travel 250 feet from the parking lot to the structure along a 5-foot-wide paved walkway.
|
|
