The Hunt For A Monster Walleye-Little Bay De Noc

[Jim Hudson]

Awww yes, the walleye. A fish that is pursued by the majority of us anglers, and a fish that draws us to far places in search of that one fish!! That one walleye, the one that breaks the 30 inch mark, or the one that pushes our scales over the 10 pound mark. Many have already caught this one fish, and many have already caught this one fish more then once. But even so, these big hefty walleyes keep calling our names, as there is always one bigger to catch out there!!!

This year, fellow FM user Lota Lota or Scott, and I headed to the famous big walleye water of Little Bay De Noc in search of this fish. Our plan was to fish from the 24th until the 27th, and we hoped to put some hooks into a true trophy.

The 24th found us fishing the evening bite, where we decided to fish all night and into the morning bite. A huge snow storm that evening found the area, where then as the sun was started to rise, high pressure and big winds pounded the area. Not good for walleye fishing, and our catch showed. No walleyes on the ice. But we stayed busy catching those hard fighting burbot the Great Lakes are known for.

The evening of the 25th found us in a new spot, and thats when it happened. First, it was Scott who put the first fish onto the ice. Not the true monster walleye, but by no means was this fish little. Even at 25 inches this fish had some good weight to it. A very golden colored walleye, that was also tagged.

After Scott's fish was released, the evening wore on, and as the sun hit the horizon, the highlight of the trip found the Salmo Chubby Darter I was fishing. After a short fight, and some close calls at the hole, we brought these fish through the hole!!!

The fish I was looking for, for sure!!! A giant of a walleye that we all dream of hooking and laying our hands on. A few quick photos and back down the hole this big ol girl went as well.

The rest of our trip was slow for the fishing part, only one other walleye was iced. But even so, we had a great time fishing and just having a blast on this new water to us.

Little Bay De Noc, a must try for the hardcore angler!!

[hanson]

Another one of my dream destinations!!

A former co-worker of mine is originally from Escanaba, MI. All I ever heard about was the big walleyes to be had in Little & Big Bays de Noc. He has some friends that still live there and fish there when there is ice and do very well on those 10lb + fish.

Jim, I bet its safe to say that one fish made the trip. If it was the only fish I caught, I know it would have made the trip worthwhile!

That tagged walleye is pretty sweet as well. Nothing like a little jewelry!

[Matt Johnson]

Awesome fish Jim! Great colors and very healthy looking! How long was that pig? Do I hear replica?

[Bob Horn]

I hear replica. What a awesome fish!!! Wish it was me. I have been wanting to go there for some time. Maybe a FM event there next year? Hint Hint

[Sifty]

I've always wanted to ice fish Little Bay De Noc. Is this a trip a group of guy's could do on there own?

Sifty

[lotalota]

Tackle for the trip - $125.00

Gas for the trip - $154.00

Food for the trip - $60.00

One 25" walleye from LBDN - $339.00

Diving down the hole to grapple JKH's 'eye in -20 wind chill - Well, you know...

We sure moved around as much as we could and tried about every presentation out there. Too darn cold and too darn windy to do much hole hopping though. The recommended jigging raps brought in a lot of fish for a look but didn't turn many lookers into biters. Even the slighted wiggle would send them off the screen (except for the pout that LOVED a #5 GGT with a shiner tail on the back hook). Good trip all the same. Learned a lot about the area for next time over which should help a lot in the hunt for the hog next time around.

Regarding the question on whether or not it is doable on your own...I'd say absolutely, with a few caveats. First, ice conditions are a big unknown whenever you head to a new spot but particularly on these bays of the great lakes where currents swirl around and the water temps stay warmer longer. You'll want to contact one of the shops in the area the night before you get there to get updated conditions. There were a lot of permanents in some areas we fished early but many guys were pulling them off the ice at night and into more secure locations, presumably because they may head off on an ice floe if left out. We stopped in at Bayview Bait near Gladstone and chatted with the guy there (and got bait and some recommended gear). The fishery is different there than most of the fishing around here and they can help out with special rigs and gear. Next, buy a quality chart or map of the bay and study it. Better yet, stick a chip in a handheld GPS/Chartplotter and combine it with your pre-trip planning for exact locations. Jim and I had some help but we also picked a few spots on our own to try. With the exception of deeper water, the same structure elements seemed to concentrate fish as you would expect to on an inland lake. Finally, expect to take a few knocks the first day or two out there. You'll learn things like the fish don't bite at night in the spot you expected them to. You'll learn that AFTER you've set up camp for a 16 hour overnight shiverfest and have a dozen pout to show for it (not that there is anything wrong with a pout here and there). It is a very diverse body of water with big fish potential. It just is going to take me a few times over there to put the pieces together. That's part of the fun.

Lota Lota...

[Paul Waldowski]

Sounds like you guys had quite the adventure. I have thought many times about trying to do something like that. Guess I will just have to up and do it.

[Little John]

Jim,

Great report with awesome photo's, as usual!

Even though I went to college in the UP (Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie) I never ice fished the big lake. We just didn't have the equipment for that sort of serious foray back then, but things are different now. Photo's like that are enough to make me load up the van...

Michigan is an awesome state for big eye's and you almost can't go wrong, whether you go north or south. At 17, I landed my 1st 10# fish casting from a local pier, after eating Thanksgiving dinner. It was 31 1/2" long and I still remember it well. It was the 1st of many beautiful Michigan eyes that I was blessed to experience and it still resides on the wall. Many larger fish have since been released with the magic number for me now being 13# and catching it in a steelhead stream doesn't count...and yes it will be a replica or maybe just a photo.

Our Detroit & St. Clair Rivers produces some huge eye's starting right after ice out (now). But catching a real trophy like that through the ice is truly priceless. Maybe some day I'll catch that 13# up on the Little Bay-What do you think the odds are Jim???

Thanks again for the report and please keep them coming.

[CNY Tim]

Jimmy great job on them eyes. Nice pictures!

[Jim Hudson]

Great post Lota!!

It is a very do able trip, just like any body of water is. Some places you just might have to pay you dues a little bit more then others. This is big water, so yes safety is always a concern, so by having a good contact at a bait shop or a local can be a saver in time and effort. Tie that in with good research you do on your own, prior to leaving will increase your odds at putting you on the right spots. Other FM user KJGMH and his group did this trip on their own this year as well, where they did well.

The thing that I found interesting about Bay De Noc and it's walleye fishery... is how there are distinct differences in how you fish these 'eyes in different parts of the bay. There seems to be two seperate bites you could fish... The shallow water (seeming to be a resident population of walleyes) and the deeper water suspended fish. Two different areas in close proximity that you fish quite differently as they seem to key on different bait fish populations. Pretty neat. But one thing is for sure, those big hefty females can be found almost anywhere you will fish in this bay. Early ice or the end of the season is your best shot at a true pig.

Also, this year, the fish catching was down. A definite weird and unconsistant year for catching walleyes on LBDN. But hey, the fishing has been pretty sporadic almost everywhere due to our weird winter. So, hopefully next winter the bite will return to normal.

But yes, if you like chasing big walleyes, this is one of the many places MI has to offer you. Open water trolling in the fall should be looked at as well here. Some monster catches are recorded each year as November rolls around.

For a 13# fish, they are definately in Bay De Noc, and this is one of the reason I did this trip. I am sure if you put enough time in, that big fish would come through the hole!!

[Tom Linderholm]

Nice report & pics guys! Even with a couple eyes to show for it (large ones at that) I am sure you all had a great trip. I've read some good articles on LBDN but unfortunately have not found the time to get out there. This year is pretty much done for me but if you get some plans together next winter to make the trip keep me in mind, I'd love to join ya.

Also Lota, contact me about Algoma I lost your email and phone blanked out on me. We are heading out there July 8th for a week and are looking for more boats to join in on the fun.

[outdoor ran]

Jim, how many miles is it to LBDN from ashland? Just curious about the tag, did you remove it or just take down the info?

[lotalota]

I put just short of 750 miles on the 'burb for the weekend. That is from Duluth to Gladstone, driving around a couple of days, heading to Bayfield to drop off Jim and then on home to Duluth. The drive isn't bad if the snow holds off. You are on Hwy 2 the whole way and only need to turn off the Hwy to get to your hotel.

We just took that picture of the tag and put the fish back in. It was REALLY cold and we were worried a bit about hurting the fish if took the time to hunt around for something to write down the info.

Lota Lota...

[Fever]

What were the dementions on that larger fish??? Congrats!

What an experiance. When the kids grow up I'm thinking thats a definately a place to go.

[andy j]

Jim,

Nice Eye!!! Did you get a measurement on her?

[Jim Hudson]

Fever and Andy

The fished taped out at 28" and thanks to Lota Lota, we got that awesome photo!! Even at 28", I am betting that fish weighed in at close to 11lbs...

Definately put these walleyes of Little Bay De Noc on your To Do List!!