Fishing in Lake Michigan
Fishing Little Bay de Noc
All Roads Lead to Little Bay de Noc
Little Bay de Noc is located at the very northern-most part of Green Bay in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There are three communities which are situated on the shores of Little Bay de Noc--Escanaba, Gladstone, and Rapid River.
- 148 miles west of the Straits of Mackinac on US 2
- 125 miles north of Green Bay on M-35
- 60 miles east of Iron Mountain on US 2-41
- 60 miles south of Marquette also on US 2 & 41
Activities around these communities during the year include fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, sailing and sailboat racing, dogsled racing, cross-country skiing, camping and much more.
One of the most outstanding sports found in this area is fishing, more specifically, walleye fishing. Walleye fishing has made Little Bay de Noc and Delta County world famous, many world class walleye having come from these waters.
Fishing Reports Links
Where to Stay
Accommodations are numerous and varied—from chain motels to locally owned facilities—with appealing rates throughout the year. Vacationers are just blocks away from the water, and many take advantage of this area for all of their recreational needs. Lodging arrangements should be made well in advance depending on the time of year, especially at the cottages and resorts which can fill during peak fishing times. The Chamber of Commerce can send you a list of places to stay which can make your time in the area a pleasant one.
If you do visit Delta County and Little Bay de Noc for fishing, be ready for some exciting times. This brochure will deal with various species of fish that make their home here, areas that are the most productive, lures used, and launch ramps closest to some of the best fishing in the United States.
Helpful Information to help you get started:
- Guides and Charter Captains
- Bait and Tackle Shops
- Boat Storage
- Boat Maintenance and Repair
- Ice Shanty Rentals
- Boat Renting and Leasing
- Boat Storage
Little Bay de Noc
Little Bay de Noc is divided into two basic areas: the upper bay and the lower bay. Generally, the upper bay is that water north of Gladstone and the lower bay which is south of Gladstone to the Ford River which is approximately 5 miles south of Escanaba.
The upper bay: If you chose to fish the upper bay, you will be using one of four launches:
- The Rapid River launch is located at the end of Main Street in Rapid River.
- The launch at Kipling is located just north of Gladstone on the old road going to Rapid River. Next to this launch ramp is the Bayshore Bait and Tackle store.
- Little Bay de Noc Recreation Area on the Stonington Peninsula has a launch.
- The Gladstone launch is at the yacht harbor. There is a fee for launching in the Gladstone Harbor. The current rate is $1.50 per launch. The machine takes quarters only. This site is well protected from heavy weather and high winds. Powering-on is forbidden at all sites.
When using these launch ramps, pay special attention to lake charts as shallow water and reefs lie all around these sites.
The lower bay: If you chose to fish the lower bay, launch ramps include Gladstone Harbor, Escanaba River, the Escanaba Yacht Harbor and the Ford River.
- There is also a fee for launching out of the Escanaba Harbor. The current price is $2 per launch. Again, the machine only takes quarters.
- If you are going to fish the very southern waters of Little Bay de Noc, the Ford River ramp can be very tricky going out into the bay. The water is quite shallow. This is a sand bottom. It cannot be emphasized enough to know the waters around these launch sites. Lake charts are available at local sporting good stores and the Chamber for a nominal fee. Believe in them!
Early Fishing Season
Fishing the upper bay offers many different types of fishing. Early in the season, (starting May 15) walleyes can be caught around the mouths of the rivers emptying into Little Bay de Noc. These rivers are the Whitefish, the Tacoosh, the Escanaba and the Days. The best baits include crawler harnesses, jigs, Lindy® rigs, and body baits such as Rapalas®, Thundersticks®, or Hot ‘n’ Tots®.
This early season offers the fisherman casting opportunities. Some of the best fishing takes place in very shallow water, 5 feet or less. Shad Raps work very well. The early season usually lasts about a month or until the alewives enter the bay. Northern pike can also be caught in these same areas. Use the same baits for them too. If you are a crappie fisherman, large fish can be caught around the shallow water around the Rapid River site. Tiny jigs and wax worms are a good choice.
Most walleye are caught in the shallower waters during this early season. Deeper waters in the center of the bay can also hold large fish. (18-25 feet of water) Deeper water fish can be caught around the first reef, second reef, and the center reef. These areas are located just north of the Kipling site. (These waters are also outstanding during the fall fishing season.)
In the past few years, outstanding fishing is had during night time hours. One thing to to remember is MAKE SURE YOUR LIGHTS WORK before you go out. By law, you must have working navigational lights on your boat and use them after dusk.
The waters off the Ford River also present excellent fishing excitement early in the season. The same baits work well here. In the lower bay, fishing seems to be better in the middle of the summer and into the fall. Generally, the fish are a little deeper, however, shallows can be very productive. These areas include Black Bottom east of the Terrace Bay Inn and in the Escanaba River.
If you fish the Escanaba River, a small launch ramp is located about a half mile up river from the mouth. Great care should be taken if you launch here. Logs and pilings lie just under the surface of the water. Ask someone where the channel is. Crawlers and Rapalas® work very well in these areas.
Summer Fishing
During the summer months and into the fall, trolling can be extremely productive. Thundersticks®, spoons, and Hot ‘n’ Tots® are excellent choices. You’ll have to see the depth the fish are holding and fish down to them. If your lures will not go down deep enough try either using lead core line, snap weights, bottom bouncers, or downriggers. At any rate, fish at the depth the fish are located.
For those of you who have downriggers, set your lines up just as you would if you were fishing for salmon and use small salmon spoons about 30 feet behind your downrigger weight. A good speed is about 1.5 miles an hour. This has proven to be an excellent pattern over the years.
Some of the best spoons have included North Port Nailers®, Silver Streaks®, and Laker Takers®. The Laker Takers® are made by The Swedish Pimple® Company located right in Gladstone.
Some of the best crawler harnesses are made by the Walleye Choice® Company which is also located in this area. These companies specialize in baits that work well in this area for walleye and pike. These baits can be purchased at any bait shop in this area. Colors vary throughout the year so ask bait store operators what’s hot and what’s not.
Fall Fishing
Salmon fishing is also quite good in the waters south of Escanaba. Approximately six miles south of Escanaba is a navigational buoy known as the Ford River Can. This buoy marks the west side of the shipping channel. Trolling along this bank with spoons offers some exciting times. This fishery usually takes off during the middle of July and will last for about 6-8 weeks. Salmon can also be caught from the bank along the Escanaba Harbor entrance in late September and October.
Little Bay de Noc also poses some great times. First ice is usually the best for walleye but be sure to check out ice conditions before venturing out. Number 4 and 5 Swedish Pimples® are the outstanding lures. Jigging the lure tipped with a live minnow is very productive. Both the upper and lower bays are excellent during this time of the year. Tip-ups also work well. Try fishing close to the bottom. Fish tend to travel very close to the bottom.
Another great sport fish is the splake (a cross between a lake and brook trout, planted in the Bay by the Department of Natural Resources) Splake fishing is excellent during the winter months. Fish these the same way as you would a walleye. Jigging is best. Swedish Pimples® and tinsel jigs are the lures of choice. Generally, splake can be found across from Escanaba on the Stonington side of the Bay. Water depth varies from 28 to 45 feet. Having a depth sounder really helps a great deal when trying to locate these fish.
Resources
- Lake charts: available for $16 from Chamber and various sporting goods stores
- Fishing Hot Spots: available for $7.95 from Chamber
- DNR Fishing Regulations: available from DNR office, 6833 US 2 & 41 & M-35, Gladstone, Michigan 49837, and any place which sells fishing licenses
- Land ’N Lakes Sports, Fishing Supplies
Exotic Species
A number of exotic species have been found in waters surrounding Michigan which compete with native species and disrupt the balance of nature. Please take precautions to prevent the transport and introduction of these from one lake or stream to another by draining water from livewells, bilge and transom BEFORE leaving any water body. Empty your bail bucket as well. Before going to another water body let your boat and trailer dry at least 5 days. If you can't wait, wash everything down with hot (at least 140 degrees) water thoroughly before entering new waters.
Whether you have your own boat or you would like to book a charter on a charter boat, Delta County and Little Bay de Noc have much to offer. It is a fisherman’s paradise but remember, just take what you can use. Help us maintain our fishery for future generations. Practice catch and release and consult the Michigan Fishing Guide published by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for rules and regulations concerning fishing limits and sizes.
In a hurry? Use the Quick Guide Below!
| Fish | Season | Lures |
| Walleye and Pike | Spring | harnesses, jigs |
| Summer | body baits, harnesses, jigs | |
| Fall | body baits, harnesses, jigs | |
| Winter | jigging spoons, tip-ups | |
| Crappie | All Four Seasons | jigs |
| Bass | Summer | casting plugs |
| Salmon | Midsummer and Fall | strolling spoons |
Guides and Charter Captains
Fishing Charter Captains
Captain Keith Wils
Walleye’s Choice
10132 M-35, Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 906-428-1488
Web Site: www.walleyeschoice.com
E-mail: keith@walleyeschoice.com
Captain Kenneth Lee
Sall-Mar Resort
7989 US Hwy 2
Rapid River, MI 49878
Phone: 906-474-6918
E-mail: info@sallmarresort.net
Resort Web Site: www.sallmarresort.net
Charter Web Site: www.baydenoccharters.net
Captain Marty Papke
Little Bay de Noc Fishing Charters
1626 Lakeshore Drive
Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 1-800-708-2347
Web Site: www.littlebaydenoc.com
E-mail: martyp@littlebaydenoc.com
Captain Dick Stafford
Take Five Fishing Charters
7262 US 2 & 41and M35
Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 906-789-0110 or 906-280-0091
Email: dickstafford@charter.net
Web Site: www.takefivecharters.com
Captain Mort Young
Big Bay de Noc Sports Charters
16167 Highway US 2
Cook, MI 49817
Phone: 906-644-2908
Web Site: http://www.gardensportshop.com
Guide Services
Hawgheaven Guide Service
Mark Peloza
9131 Bayshore Drive
Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 906-428-3809
E-mail: hawgheaven@upmichigan.net
Yooper Guide Service
Greg Faust
8584 Westwood 0.6 Drive
Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 906-630-8547 (Cell)
Web Site: www.yooperguideservice.com
E-mail: info@yooperguideservice.com
Bait and Tackle Shops
Sall-Mar Resort
7989 US Hwy 2
Rapid River, MI 49878
Phone: 906-474-6918
E-mail: info@sallmarresort.net
Resort Web Site: www.sallmarresort.netBay View Bait & Tackle
7110 US2 &41 & M-35
Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 906-786-1488
Web Site: http://www.baydenoc.com/bayviewsports
E-mail: baitshop2@chartermi.net
Bay Shore Resort Bait & Tackle
1323 N. Lakeshore Dr.
Gladstone, MI 49829
Phone: 906-428-2950
Web Site: www.bay-shore-resort.com
Walleye’s Choice Fishing Tackle
10132 M-35, Gladstone, MI 49837
Phone: 906-428-1488
Web Site: www.walleyeschoice.com
E-mail: keith@walleyeschoice.com
Boat Storage
Vinette Boatworks
1212 19th Avenue North
Escanaba, MI 49829
Phone: 906-786-1884
Boat Maintenance and Repair
Baywood Industries
2307 9th Avenue North
Escanaba, MI 49829
Phone: 906-789-1551
Ice Shanty Rentals
Terrace Bay Inn
US 2, 41 & M35
Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-7554
1-800-283-4678
Web Site: www.terracebay.com
Email: terracebay@chartermi.net
Yooper Guide Service
8584 Westwood 0.6 Lane
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-428-4912
906-630-8547 (Cell Phone)
Email: info@yooperguideservice.com
Hawgheaven Guide Service
9121 Bayshore Drive
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-428-3809
Email: hawg-heaven@upmichigan.net
Quinn Shanty Rentals
7868 N. 25 Lane
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-789-9830
Email: bkrause@uplogon.com
Boat Renting and Leasing
Richard Boatworks Splash Rentals
2311 9th Ave North
Escanaba, MI 49829
Phone: 906-789-1009
Boat Storage
Vinette Boatworks
1212 19th Avenue North
Escanaba, MI 49829
Phone: 906-786-1884
