Keweenaw Bay: Anglers were catching more fish. Those moving out to deeper water picked up lake trout, whitefish and herring when jigging, while those in shallow water caught coho, splake and brown trout. Some did well with tip-ups and jaw-jackers, but most fish were caught while jigging. Those targeting burbot at night picked up a few, but most were on the small side. Smelt fishing was slower.
Little Bay De Noc: Travel on the ice was a bit easier. Watch for changing conditions with warmer temperatures this week. Walleye anglers reported spotty catch rates even though good numbers of fish were marked. The better catches came from the head of the bay with tip-ups in 14 to 24 feet, and the Escanaba River with tip-ups or jigging raps in 30 feet. A few were caught on the Ford River. Perch anglers reported fewer catches, so many were moving to deeper water. Fish were found near Kipling with minnows or wigglers in 28 to 30 feet. A warming trend this week could produce some good walleye action.
Munising: Ice conditions improved slightly; however, the east end of Sand Point and the West Channel were not safe due to strong currents and open water in the area. The nearshore ice at Sand Point was mainly pack ice. Anglers could be found off the Anna River access points. In general, fishing was very slow for coho, splake, lake trout and lake whitefish. As more anglers were targeting burbot at night, some reported good catches. A few locals who fish several times a week did well for whitefish, but put in a good six hours or more on the ice.
Cedarville and Hessel: Catch rates picked up around the Les Cheneaux Islands, with anglers catching perch and pike in Government Bay, the Cedarville Channel and Duck Bay. Perch ranging from 7-13 inches were caught in Musky Bay when jigging minnows and wax worms in 12 to 17 feet. Some pike up to 27 inches also were taken with blues on tip-ups. Perch were caught in Hessel Bay, especially on the east side. Anglers were seeing more splake on the west side of the bay. While the ice was holding, anglers need to be aware of strong currents in these areas.
Fishing Tip: Understanding fish posture to help with ice fishing success
Fish often maintain one of two postures – one where they are ready to strike (fins up and backs arched) or one where they are focused on traveling (fins tucked in). Understanding these postures can aid in your fishing success, particularly through the ice.
The first step when using fish posture to impact your ice fishing techniques is to have appropriate equipment, such as sonar. This tool allows you to visualize the posture and react effectively.
Secondly, pay attention to time periods of aggressive posture. Most likely you will see it exhibited around sunrise and sunset – plan your trips accordingly.
Michigan offers some of the best fishing throughout the year. Plan your next outing by visiting Michigan.gov/Fishing.
Click To Submit Press Releases, News, Calendar Items, and Community Events to mediaBrew radio stations WFXD, WKQS, WRUP, GTO, Fox Sport Marquette, and 106.1 The Sound
Marquette, Michigan Calendar; Ishpeming Calendar; Negaunee Calendar; Gwinn Calendar; Negaunee Calendar and Events; Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events; Escanaba Events and Calendar