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