| Fishing in Lake Michigan | | | | good in the waters south of Escanaba. |
| | | | Approximately six miles south of Escanaba is |
| Seasons of Fun | | | | a navigational buoy known as the Ford River |
| | | | Can. This buoy marks the west side of the |
| Early Fishing Season | | | | shipping channel. Trolling along this bank |
| | | | with spoons offers some exciting times. This |
| • Fishing the upper bay offers | | | | fishery usually takes off during the middle |
| many different types of fishing. Early in the | | | | of July and will last for about 6-8 weeks. |
| season, (starting May 15th) walleyes can be | | | | Salmon can also be caught from the bank along |
| caught around the mouths of the rivers | | | | the Escanaba Harbor entrance in late |
| emptying into Little Bay de Noc. These rivers | | | | September and October. |
| are the Whitefish River, the Tacoosh River, | | | | |
| the Escanaba River, and the Days River. The | | | | Winter Fishing |
| waters off the Ford River also present | | | | |
| excellent fishing excitement early in the | | | | • Ice fishing on Little Bay de |
| season. | | | | Noc also poses some great North Shore times. |
| | | | First ice is usually the best for walleye, |
| • This early season offers the | | | | but be sure to check out ice conditions |
| fisherman casting opportunities. Some of the | | | | before venturing out. Both the upper and |
| best fishing takes place in very shallow | | | | lower bays are excellent during this time of |
| water, 5 feet or less. The early season | | | | the year. Try fishing close to the bottom. |
| usually lasts about a month or until the | | | | Fish tend to travel very close to the bottom. |
| alewives enter the bay. Northern pike can | | | | |
| also be caught in these same areas. If you | | | | • Another great sportfish is the |
| are crappie anglers, large fish can be caught | | | | Splake ( a cross between a lake and brook |
| around the shallow water around the Rapid | | | | trout, planted in the bay by the DNR) Splake |
| River site. | | | | fishing is excellent during the winter |
| | | | months. Fish these the same way as you would |
| • In the past few years, night | | | | a walleye, jigging is best. Generally, splake |
| time hours serve as a time for outstanding | | | | can be found across from Escanaba on the |
| fishing. One thing to remember is MAKE SURE | | | | Stonington side of the Bay. Water depth |
| YOUR LIGHTS WORK before you go out. By law, | | | | varies from 28 to 45 feet. Having a depth |
| you must have working navigational lights on | | | | sounder really helps a great deal when trying |
| your boat and use them after dusk. | | | | to locate these fish. |
| | | | |
| • If you fish the Escanaba River, | | | | Exotic Species |
| a small launch ramp is located about a half | | | | |
| mile up river from the mouth. Great care | | | | • A number of exotic species have |
| should be taken if you launch here. Logs and | | | | been found in waters surrounding Michigan |
| pilings lie just under the surface of the | | | | which compete with native species and disrupt |
| water. Ask someone where the channel is. | | | | the balance of nature. Please take |
| | | | precautions to prevent the transport and |
| Summer Fishing | | | | introduction of these from one lake or stream |
| | | | to another by draining water from live wells, |
| • During the summer months and | | | | bilge, and transom BEFORE leaving any water |
| into the fall, trolling can be extremely | | | | body. Empty your bail bucket as well. Before |
| productive. You'll have to see the depth the | | | | going to another water body let your boat and |
| fish are holding and fish down to them. If | | | | trailer dry at least 5 days. If you can't |
| you lures will not go down deep enough, try | | | | wait, wash everything down with hot (at least |
| using lead core line, snap weights, bottom | | | | 140 degrees) water thoroughly before entering |
| bouncers, or downriggers. At any rate, fish | | | | new waters. |
| at the depth the fish are located. | | | | |
| | | | • Whether you have your own boat |
| • For those of you who have | | | | or you would like to book a charter on a |
| downriggers, set your lines up just as you | | | | charter boat, Delta County and Little Bay de |
| would if you were fishing for salmon and use | | | | Noc have much to offer. It is a fisherman's |
| small salmon spoons about 30 feet behind your | | | | paradise, but remember just take what you can |
| downrigger weight. A good speed is about 1.5 | | | | use. Help us maintain our fishery for future |
| miles an hour. This has proven to be an | | | | generations. Practice catch and release and |
| excellent pattern over the years. | | | | consult the Michigan Fishing Guide published |
| | | | by the Michigan Department of Natural |
| • Some of the best spoons have | | | | Resources for rules and regulations |
| included North Port NailersÂ(R), Silver | | | | concerning fishing limits and sizes. |
| StreaksÂ(R), and Laker TakersÂ(R). | | | | |
| The Laker TakersÂ(R) are made by the | | | | Information courtesy of |
| Swedish PimpleÂ(R) Company located right | | | | |
| in Gladstone, Michigan. | | | | Visit our web site to learn all of what you |
| | | | can do in Michigan including fishing, |
| • Some of the best crawler | | | | golfing, scuba diving, historic lighthouses, |
| harnesses are made by the Walleye | | | | theatre, and much more! |
| ChoiceÂ(R) Company which is also located | | | | |
| in this area. These companies specialize in | | | | For more information on Michigan Vacations or |
| baits that work well in this area for walleye | | | | Fishing in Lake Michigan please contact us at |
| and pike. These baits can be purchased at any | | | | 1-800-533-4386, 1-906-789-7862, or visit our |
| bait shop in this area. Colors vary | | | | web site at |
| throughout the year so ask bait store | | | | |
| operators what's hot and what's not. | | | | Travel Bays de Noc is the Convention and |
| | | | Visitors Bureau providing information on |
| Fall Fishing | | | | everything to see in Michigan's Upper |
| | | | Peninsula. |
| • Salmon fishing is also quite | | | | |