Lake Petit
Big Canoe's largest lake at 111 acres has a variety of fish indigenous to the area, and is stocked with trout, making it the best sight for fishing. The Big Canoe Marina is located on Lake Petit. To enhance the experience and serenity of our lakes and out of respect for the beauty Mother Nature provides, only electric-powered vessels are permitted on our lakes. Boat rentals are available at the fitness center.

Lake Sconti
The gorgeous backdrop of the Lake Sconti Restaurant is also great for leisurely fishing. Canoes and rowboats are permitted on the lake. If you choose to cast a line from the banks, check with the Property Owners Association for exact locations.

Lake Disharoon
Located at the Swim Club, this lake is set aside for swimming and recreational enjoyment.

By Eric Snider

Mike Kupchik, the unofficial fishing ambassador of Big Canoe, calls his regular outings “five, five and five fishing ...

“It takes me five minutes to get to the lake with a trailered boat, five minutes to put it in and another five minutes to catch my limit,” says the affable angler and longtime Big Canoe resident.”

Why so bountiful? An excellent stocking program of rainbow trout in Lake Petit, Big Canoe’s largest body of water. “It starts in October and ends around April,” Mike says. “Let me put it this way: It makes for less fishing and more catching.”

The average rainbow trout in Lake Petit runs around two pounds and can put up a spunky fight - but some reach four, five and six pounds, trophy size. Fishing from April to September takes more patience, but you can still drag some nice trout out of the lake; you just have to fish in deeper water. (Lake Petit runs 40-50 feet deep and as much as 80 feet near the dam.)

Because Big Canoe prohibits outboard motors, most folks use pontoon boats, johnboats or kayaks. Mike prefers fly-fishing, but a lot of anglers opt for cast-and-retrieve or trolling. And you just
might reel in something other than a rainbow trout. Mike says good-size bass, bluegill and crappie populate Lake Petit, although they are not stocked.

Very much in keeping with the neighborly culture of Big Canoe, fishing is a come-one-come-all proposition. You won’t encounter crusty anglers steering folk away from prized fishing spots. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Lake Petit’s marina manager has a little shack with rods, bait and gear. He and cohorts run seminars for residents and visitors who want to learn how to fish the lake.

“The avid fishermen at Big Canoe are a very welcoming group,” Mike says. “About 10 years ago, a couple of guys, Milt Smith and Mike Bolton, started a free fly-fishing seminar. Overall, we don’t really hoard our knowledge. We love to share it. There’s enough fish out there for everyone to catch some.”

Lake Petit is not the only fishing destination in Big Canoe. Lake Sconti - by the golf course - although it has no stocking program, features bass, crappie and brim. “Mainly bass fishermen go there and use a spinning or casting rod and plastic baits,” Mike says. “If you use light equipment - one
to one-and-a-half pounds - it can be a lot of fun and get kind of competitive. You see some good fishermen out there. But Lake Sconti also has picnic tables on the shore and it’s near the lodge, so you can go down there, have a barbecue, throw some worms in there for the youngster and they can catch brim.”

When it comes to catching fish, though, the discussion inevitably returns to Lake Petit and it’s stocking program. “As far as trout goes,” Mike says. “I have been to some wonderful places and caught wonderful fish, but I have never caught as many trout in as short a time frame as right here in Big Canoe.”

Click to enlarge photo.