Ice Fishing in Michigan

ICE FISHING ON THE BAYS DE NOC

Lake Michigan Ice Fishing

Delta County has the longest freshwater shoreline of any county in the entire US, making it a veritable fishing paradise any time of year. While fishing is a year round activity in Delta County, ice fishing has its own special fascination as "villages" of fishing shanties spring up on the ice on both Little and Big Bays de Noc.
Walleye, northern pike and perch are the prime interest in the winter months, although a 54", 43 pound sturgeon was taken through the ice off the tip of the Stonington Peninsula in mid-January 1996.
Experts say that good ice fishing can be had at the same places that are successful in the spring, summer and fall. The northern most bay offers the first ice and therefore the first fishing of the winter. The boat landing at Kipling has an extensive weed bed which attracts walleye. The "black bottom" area to the south is well-known for being a good fishing spot. Check your depth charts and fish the edges.

Shanty Rental

Bayshore Resort Bait and Tackle

1323 North Lake Shore Drive
Gladstone, Michigan 49837
906-428-2950 or 906-428-9687

Ice fishing guides with shack rentals, inquire at Bayshore for details

Glenn Wangerin

Call 906-786-3342 and ask for Wags

Five four-person shanties —$100/day. Transportation provided for additional $20. Shacks are heated and they will provide bait and food.

Terrace Bay Inn

Day Rental 2 & 4 person $100 /day ( non-guests) $75/day for guests of Terrace Bay Inn. This includes transportation to and from shanty, hole drilled, heated and positioned for optimum success. 906-786-7554

Ice Shanties

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has the following requirements regarding the placement and removal of ice shanties:
A person placing a shanty on the ice for fishing shall permanently affix their name and address on ALL SIDES of the shanty in legible letters at least 2 inches in height. The name and address must be on the shanty and may not be placed on a board or other material which is then attached to the shanty. Tents and other temporary shelters which are removed each day and not left on the ice do not require identification.
Persons placing a shanty on waters of the Upper Peninsula shall remove the shanty by midnight March 31 of any year.
In all areas of the state, a shanty must be removed if ice conditions become unsafe, regardless of the date. After the above dates, a shanty must be removed at the end of each day's fishing activity.

Maps and Fishing Guides

The Delta County Area Chamber of Commerce stocks a selection of area hydrographic charts which are $16 each. The Chamber also sells Fishing Hot Spots maps—$7.95 for Big Bay de Noc and $9.95 for Little Bay de Noc.

Bait and Tackle

Bayshore Resort Bait and Tackle
1323 North Lake Shore Drive
Gladstone, Michigan 49837
906-428-2950

Bayview 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

Winter Access

CAUTION! Avoid river mouths. Heavy currents and unstable ice are often found there. Watch also for pressure ridges.

Little Bay de Noc

Escanaba Municipal Marina, Escanaba
Gladstone Marina, Gladstone
Kipling, 1 mile north of Gladstone
Twin Springs, 8 miles south of Rapid River, on the Stonington Peninsula
No See-Um Creek, South of Escanaba on M-35
Boon-Dockers Store (private), Stonington Peninsula
Days River, North & South (DNR) North of Gladstone

Big Bay de Noc

Fayette State Park, on the Garden Peninsula
Little Fishdam River 2 miles east of Isabella on US 2
Nahma, 4 miles south of US 2
Ogontz Bay, South of US 2 on County 503

Lake Michigan

Portage Bay State Forest Campground 6 miles east of Fayette

Fishing Regulations

Contact your nearest Michigan Department of Natural Resources office for the latest Michigan Fishing Guide. Rules are effective April 1.
A fishing license is required for all persons who have reached their 17th birthday, including those serving in the Armed Forces. Michigan residents with a 100% V.A. disability benefit or who are legally blind are entitled to purchase a Senior Resident Annual license.
Mentally retarded persons and residents of a home for the aged may fish without a license if they are a member of a group and accompanied by one or more adults who possess a permit issued by the DNR.

License Fees

All Species	$28	Restricted (all species except trout and salmon)
Non Resident All Species	$42	Resident	$15
Daily Resident and Non Resident	$7	Non-Resident Restricted	$34
Daily 65 or older Resident	$3	Senior Resident Restricted	$6

Sports person Discount: Resident and non-resident; 15% discount for purchase of ANY four or more licenses at one time for the same person
Junior Voluntary All Species (all species), resident and non-resident, ages 12-16, $2
Resident military (certain restrictions apply) $1

Watch for Thin Ice!

Every year, someone goes through thin ice or drives onto an ice floe which breaks loose and floats into the bay. Use common sense and heed warnings, especially late in the season when ore shipping resumes. Arrival of the first ore boat is often preceded by Coast Guard ice breakers.

Fishing License Vendors

Bayshore Bait & Tackle

1323 North Lake Shore Drive
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-428-2950

Gladstone BP Gifts and Carwash

2010 Lake Shore Dr.
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-428-4680

Kmart

801 N. Lincoln Rd.
Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-8508

Wal-Mart

601 N. Lincoln Rd.
Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-7717

White’s Grocery

4203 HWY US 2&41
Escanaba, MI 49829
906-786-5850

North Bluff Grocery

6287 Hwy M-35
Gladstone, MI 49837
906-428-3207

Shopping for Equipment

North Bluff Grocery

6287 Hwy M-35
Gladstone, MI

Stop and get your fuel, food and fishing goods all in one place.

Shoreline Sports Center

7294 US 2, 41, & M-35
Gladstone , MI 49837

Stop in for all of your bait and tackle needs.

Ten Mile Creek Forge, Pottery & Lighting Irish/Celtic Gift Shop

1691 Seventeenth Rd
Bark River MI, 49807

Specialize in hand made knives!! As well as offering blacksmithing, tool sharpening, restorative work and much more.

Rapid River Knifeworks

US 2 & 41 Rapid River

Handcrafted in Rapid River, their knives are destined to be the next great knife to be passed from generation to generation.