| Fishing in Lake Michigan | | | | and what's not. |
| Seasons of Fun | | | | Fall Fishing |
| Early Fishing Season | | | | - Salmon fishing is also quite good in the waters |
| - Fishing the upper bay offers many different | | | | south of Escanaba. Approximately six miles south |
| types of fishing. Early in the season, (starting May | | | | of Escanaba is a navigational buoy known as the |
| 15th) walleyes can be caught around the mouths | | | | Ford River Can. This buoy marks the west side |
| of the rivers emptying into Little Bay de Noc. | | | | of the shipping channel. Trolling along this bank |
| These rivers are the Whitefish River, the | | | | with spoons offers some exciting times. This |
| Tacoosh River, the Escanaba River, and the Days | | | | fishery usually takes off during the middle of July |
| River. The waters off the Ford River also present | | | | and will last for about 6-8 weeks. Salmon can also |
| excellent fishing excitement early in the season. | | | | be caught from the bank along the Escanaba |
| - This early season offers the fisherman casting | | | | Harbor entrance in late September and October. |
| opportunities. Some of the best fishing takes | | | | Winter Fishing |
| place in very shallow water, 5 feet or less. The | | | | - Ice fishing on Little Bay de Noc also poses some |
| early season usually lasts about a month or until | | | | great North Shore times. First ice is usually the |
| the alewives enter the bay. Northern pike can also | | | | best for walleye, but be sure to check out ice |
| be caught in these same areas. If you are crappie | | | | conditions before venturing out. Both the upper |
| anglers, large fish can be caught around the | | | | and lower bays are excellent during this time of |
| shallow water around the Rapid River site. | | | | the year. Try fishing close to the bottom. Fish |
| - In the past few years, night time hours serve | | | | tend to travel very close to the bottom. |
| as a time for outstanding fishing. One thing to | | | | - Another great sport fish is the Splake ( a cross |
| remember is MAKE SURE YOUR LIGHTS WORK | | | | between a lake and brook trout, planted in the |
| before you go out. By law, you must have | | | | bay by the DNR) Splake fishing is excellent during |
| working navigational lights on your boat and use | | | | the winter months. Fish these the same way as |
| them after dusk. | | | | you would a walleye, jigging is best. Generally, |
| - If you fish the Escanaba River, a small launch | | | | splake can be found across from Escanaba on the |
| ramp is located about a half mile up river from | | | | Stonington side of the Bay. Water depth varies |
| the mouth. Great care should be taken if you | | | | from 28 to 45 feet. Having a depth sounder really |
| launch here. Logs and pilings lie just under the | | | | helps a great deal when trying to locate these |
| surface of the water. Ask someone where the | | | | fish. |
| channel is. | | | | Exotic Species |
| Summer Fishing | | | | - A number of exotic species have been found in |
| - During the summer months and into the fall, | | | | waters surrounding Michigan which compete with |
| trolling can be extremely productive. You'll have to | | | | native species and disrupt the balance of nature. |
| see the depth the fish are holding and fish down | | | | Please take precautions to prevent the transport |
| to them. If you lures will not go down deep | | | | and introduction of these from one lake or |
| enough, try using lead core line, snap weights, | | | | stream to another by draining water from live |
| bottom bouncers, or downriggers. At any rate, | | | | wells, bilge, and transom BEFORE leaving any |
| fish at the depth the fish are located. | | | | water body. Empty your bail bucket as well. |
| - For those of you who have downriggers., set | | | | Before going to another water body let your boat |
| your lines up just as you would if you were | | | | and trailer dry at least 5 days. If you can't wait, |
| fishing for salmon and use small salmon spoons | | | | wash everything down with hot (at least 140 |
| about 30 feet behind your downrigger weight. A | | | | degrees) water thoroughly before entering new |
| good speed is about 1.5 miles an hour. This has | | | | waters. |
| proven to be an excellent pattern over the years. | | | | - Whether you have your own boat or you would |
| - Some of the best spoons have included North | | | | like to book a charter on a charter boat, Delta |
| Port NailersÂ(R), Silver StreaksÂ(R), | | | | County and Little Bay de Noc have much to offer. |
| and Laker TakersÂ(R). The Laker | | | | It is a fisherman's paradise, but remember just |
| TakersÂ(R) are made by the Swedish | | | | take what you can use. Help us maintain our |
| PimpleÂ(R) Company located right in | | | | fishery for future generations. Practice catch and |
| Gladstone, Michigan. | | | | release and consult the Michigan Fishing Guide |
| - Some of the best crawler harnesses are made | | | | published by the Michigan Department of Natural |
| by the Walleye ChoiceÂ(R) Company which | | | | Resources for rules and regulations concerning |
| is also located in this area. These companies | | | | fishing limits and sizes. |
| specialize in baits that work well in this area for | | | | Information courtesy of Travel Bays de Noc |
| walleye and pike. These baits can be purchased at | | | | Visit our web site to learn all of what you can do |
| any bait shop in this area. Colors vary throughout | | | | in Michigan including fishing, golfing, scuba diving, |
| the year so ask bait store operators what's hot | | | | historic lighthouses, theatre, and much more! |