Little Bay de Noc Fishing Reports

Steve L · Senior Member

day time ice fishing

catman · Guru

Steve L wrote:
What is the general consensus when it comes to hole hopping- jigging or even tip up fishing during day light for walleyes ? I think if I'm away from the crowd in 25 ft plus of depth the light shouldn''t be too big of a deal. What say y'all?

That's what a person would think Steve, but not very often is there a good middle of the day bite even in the winter. People who dive have told me that there is a ton of light that reaches bottom even in 40-50 feet of water. Now granted this is in the summer with no ice cap. But, in the winter, the water is even clearer and might cancel out the darkening effect of the ice cap. All I know is that not many folks fish walleye during the mid day hours expecting to catch very much. There are definately a few walleye caught during the day, but not very many when compared to the number of fish caught at dusk and dawn. Like I have said before, the walleye have really adapted well to the clear water. There are buttloads of walleye on the bottom in 100 feet of water. They still come into the shallows to feed, but the shallows to these fish are now 60 feet deep!!! This is not just theory either as I have witnessed huge schools of walleye many times over the years coming into 60-65 feet of water to feed. Maybe they go shallower in the middle of the night, but at dusk they are actively feeding in 60-65 feet of water. I hate fishing this deep because it's very difficult to bring a fish up from that depth and not kill it so releasing a hog is sometimes not possible. If you crank them up really fast, they will actually be stiff as a board with their eyes sticking out of their head 1-2 inches. I hate this clear water...

fishing-troll · Member

First of all, I love your website and forums, all the posts are informative help people understand the outstanding fishery you have in the upper peninsula of our great state. I am from the lower peninsula(south of kalamazoo). But i make trips to lbdn every winter for the ice fishing. Its crazy to think that those walleyes go down that deep! But makes sense with the water clarity. And that makes the challenge of getting them to bite even harder. Can you even fish that deep using jigging rods and tip ups? First time posting on your site. Again, Love it. Thanks...fishing-troll

Steve L · Senior Member

I guess the low and no light times rule, but the hour or so leading up to and following the peak bite are worthy of our time. After all, what else would I be doing 4 1/2 hours away fromhome? Drinking!

CrankYanker · Veteran Member

Two words for you. Perch and whitefish. They can both keep you busy during the day. Although you may need to get the hat that holds your beer and has a straw so you can still drink!

Steve L · Senior Member

Chasing things other than wally is a great way to learn more of the area too. Coming from southern WI it seems I waste too much time on just walleyes when there are other species to try to capitolize on. confuse And I'll use my Camelback for hydration with Bud Light of coarse! And maybe a nip of Crown after 5PM.

-- Edited by Steve L on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 02:12:39 PM

schmutzomatic 5000 · Senior Member

Mmmmm... Bud light and crown. Or Crown with a shot of Bud light.

Steve L · Senior Member

Hey, we're cut from a similar cloth. biggrin

schmutzomatic 5000 · Senior Member

Yep......I would say so... All but that Packer thing but we can work on that biggrin

Steve L · Senior Member

Yeah, if you had a team worth cheering for and not crying over you might be a Packer fan. At least you have a good MLB team. But hey, have a Bud Light and a belt of the only thing good from Canada. aww