Two Unique Upper Pennisula Fisheries
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s I crossed the bridge last month I could not help but hold back my excitement. I was going on a fishing adventure to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and was going to experience not 1 but 2 great fishing communities. What’s more I was going to catch fish, eat great food and get away from the rat race of big city life. My first stop…..Escanaba and the Bays De Noc area.
Escanaba fishing is some of the best anywhere. I know that may sound biased but there are not many places in the country that offer the combination of world class walleye and smallmouth bass as well as a fantastic chance for large pike and jumbo perch. Let’s take you through the season as I know it and put you on to a few things that will help you on your next trip.
The fishing for walleye takes off right at the opener. The best walleye fishing for numbers occurs in the inner bay from Escanaba all the way up the mouth of the Days river. I have always started my fishing with spinners and bouncers in the shallow water on shoreline breaks or on the edges and fingers of center reef. Graphing these areas does not always tell the story, I typically fish my way through an area and let the fish talk to me. Big perch will also be part of your catch on the inner bay. The perch population is strong and they certainly love spinners. Another excellent method for inner bay walleye is to cast jigs tipped with a half of a night crawler. This is usually done on the steep drop offs that are all over the inner bay. Weed beds are also productive with jig & crawler combo As summer progresses the bite on the outer bay and Big Bay takes off. Big bladed spinner harness run behind bouncers or snap weights seems to be the staple from July through August. I have found that #5 & #6 sized blades in shinny purple, green or gold have been the most productive for me. I mix chartreuse and orange beads and it seems to mimic perch quite well. There are many gravel bars and weed edges that can be fished along the shoreline south of the Ford river that I have done very well on. Get set up to just skim your baits over these structures, don’t hit the bottom or you will get moss and zebra mussels on your rigs. It takes a little effort but outer bay fish can be gigantic. I also have spent quite a bit of time on Minneapolis shoals and Coronna reef, both offer very good fishing.
The smallmouth bass has taken over most of my attention lately. The bass fishing in Escanaba is truly world class. The presentations are simple and the results can be staggering. Let’s look at a couple really productive patterns. Early in the season tubes and spinner baits seem to be a great way to really load up on the fish. These bass are biters and fighters! June is a great month to crush these fish on shallow flats and newly forming weed beds. July and august has the smallies out on the points and drop offs. Tubes and drop shot rigs that imitate Gobies are killer baits during the summer months. You want huge fish? Come in September and October, five-pound class fish are common, bring your camera and practice catch and release on these giants.
As I pulled into Sault Ste Marie just a short jaunt east through some of the most beautiful country in the world thoughts turned to Atlantic Salmon.
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan has one of the most unique and diverse fisheries in Michigan! Where else can you catch Atlantic salmon, Pink salmon, walleye and bass all in the same river system! Well needless to say I wanted some of that action. I have always enjoyed the Soo as a great walleye spot, challenging yet productive. The walleye fishing for me was always a tournament stop so it was always business, today was pure pleasure. The fishery for walleye is broken up into two categories. The first is those that want to fish the river channel and the second is those that prefer the calmer waters of Lake George and Munuscong Bay as well as the many small bays that are along the mighty Saint Mary’s river. If you are a river person, then there are 3 main presentations you need to employ to have success. The first is the tried and true crawler harness on a 3 oz bouncer slow trolled downstream. Fish location is everything here so try the top and bottom edges along the main channel until you contact fish. Color does not seem to be a huge deal but speed is, try to go about 1 mph faster than the current. The second main way I have fished for walleye is slow spinner trolling in and over top of the weeds in the lake and all the bays. I usually use ¼ to ½ oz inline chain weight in front of a crawler harness. Here are a few critical tips: bury your hooks in the crawler to prevent weed ups! Fish scattered weeds versus heavy weeds! Keep your speed up 1-1.5 mph the weed fish are aggressive and going to slow simply messes everything up.
Lastly the tried and true drift and jig presentation. When fishing in the river is slow sometimes vertical jigging with small plastics can trigger bites and save a weekend fishing trip, you will also open the door to the great bass fishery by fishing with jigs and plastics!
The Atlantic and Pink Salmon fishery is second to none on the Saint Mary’s. Seriously! Atlantics and Pinks are just a short drive away and not out on the “Big” water but in a river setting…..no weather or wind can stop you from experiencing this unique fishing. The Atlantic salmon fishing is the result of the hard work of the LSSU stocking program. This has created a one of a kind fishery that has to be experienced to be appreciated. Fishing for the Atlantics is probably best done the first time or two with a guide. This will help you understand the concept of where and how to fish for them. There are many competent guides in the area. I fished with my friend Dane Stanaway from “live to fish charters”. The bite is in July and August. The Pinks are easy and fun. Simply get in line and snap jig spoons like Swedish Pimples or Crippled Herring. Drifting down-stream and catching these crazy fighting 3-6 pound salmon will make you re-think life. The best part is the eating. They are both delicious. Late August through September is peak Pink salmon fishing.
John Bergsma is the host of the television show Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest. Visit John’s website www.fishermansdigest.com for: Updated fishing reports and great tasting recipes as well as destination information.
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