Eastern U.P. fishing

[coonrod70]

Hello, I will be staying in Paradise for 4 nights during the 3rd week in July and hopefully will have time to wet a line.....Was wondering what the fishing may possibly be like....obviously this will depend on the weather, but you folks that are from that area may be able to add some insight on the stream conditions and what could be biting. I had thought about possibly trying the shelldrake area. Any and all opinions will be much appreciated. Thanks, Brian

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

I cant offer an specifics because I have never fished in that part of the UP. I can tell you that the most enjoyable trip out I have had up there didnt involve a single trout. We got out a map looked up three different rivers / streams that we wanted to try and out we went at sun rise.

The first we steped into wading wet the air temp was 46 degrees out and it was july. nothing but creek chubs but we never did find any good holes. I may go back to that stream again some day and look more.

The second was well known for browns.. nothing but creek chubs :lol:

The third we went to blind. We caught creek chubs. :lol: Then I hooked a 20" northern on 4# test and an ultralight rod. It threw the spinner. We spent the rest of the afternoon catching every type of fish in a hole except for trout and it was a blast.


So my advice is get a couty map and plan to go out and try some spots. The best thing about the UP is you wont see another person on any of the streams.

[tedshunter]

I once vacationed there a few years back(94) I was not pleased with the fishing in the general area.Unless you have a boat to get out somewhere you are going to have to take a drive to get to any good rivers if you are looking for Trout.You best bet for shore fishing near Paradise would be at the mouth of the Tahquamenon River.Shelldrake river was real shallow when I was there in August.If you want to catch Trout I would take a drive to one of the Two Hearted Rivers.There is also some desent fishing near the Tahquamenon Falls.you have a chance to catch alot of different species there,even Musky.Hope this helps you out.

[coonrod70]

Thanks for the help fella's. Northern or musky either one would be a good catch, I just wasn't sure what to expect at that time of the year. What about any bass in those areas? Thanks for the replies, Brian

[huntermike]

I will be catching trout in the Paradise area sometime in May, Ive been up there many times, and everyone here is correct.....there is more trout action elsewhere, however there are some fantastic trout fishing oppertunities in the area if you know where to look. There are numerous little lakes and ponds with decent trout in them....unfortunately most are inaccessible by vehicle and are very difficult to fish. My father and I spend a week camping out on one of these hidden ponds each year... and each year we catch maybe 3 or 4 tout between the two of us. The smallest ever being 13", the average being 16" and the largest....a monsterous 21.5" brookie!!! Mounted above the mantel of course. The trick there, is fishing where people dont. You have to explore alot...Or settle with lots of river fish 7-10" with an occasional nice one. Both are a blast any way you look at it. Just being up there is an awesome experience. Keep an eye out for bear though ;) We see lots of them from May to June.

[FlyDaddy]

The biggest small mouth I have ever personally seen came out of the lower section of the Tahquamenon Falls right below the falls. The guys next to me camping caught it. I am guessing just over 5-6 lbs. They also brought in a huge Musky. Certainly trophy size. There is a camp ground right there at the lower falls. Tons of wood in the water and other cover if I remember right. You can rent a small 12' boat right there too for like 10 bucks per 4 hours or something. However, the guys next to me did not fish daylight at all. Seemed every night they were bringing in huge warm water fish. I never did pick up any fish there but I did not try real hard either. Good luck. Worst case scenario...sure is perty...fish on or not it should be a blast.

FD

[Tubes77]

I remember that the DNR also stocks some smaller lakes & ponds with trout too. Most of them were either impossilbe to get to or hard to find. I remember one little lake called High Banks Lake that was just a blast to fish. I probably couldn't find it now if my life depended on it, but it was fun. This post has me traveleing more down memory lane than I have in long time!

[Fishbum2]

You might want to take the time to go over to Seney. A campground down the road from the refuge rents canoes for real cheap. He dropped us off on the Fox River and we drifted through the wilderness and caught brookies all morning with worms (too much brush for flys or spinners). We got out at the bridge on M28
in Seney. You walk over to the icecream store, have a cone, call him to pick you up. A great time and didn't see another boat.

[smiley1544]

Coonrod,

High banks is a great lake to fish, and there are alot more in the area. If your looking for trout. If you want bass and musky try the upper TQ is excellent fishing, there are launches north of Hulbert and in Newberry.

[2tundras]

Now I m not gonna tell ya exactly where to go, but I'll point you in the right direction. If your looking for trout, skip the big Taquam, if you want eyes fish it. If you want bik Lakers fish out in front of it, 90 to 120 feet is where you start to look for em.

For trout head south and take the Curly Lewis Highway, it only goes East, along the soutehrn shore of Superior/Whitefish Bay. Before you hit Brimley you'll pass a whole pile of little cricks and small rivers. Grab your hip boots, rod and reel and head on up. It's thicker than heck, really, when you look at it you wouldn't think a deer would even try to walk it. But there are fish in there. Well, the ones that are not in my freezer.

Dont be afraid to cast out at the mouths, a lot of fish whole up there late into the year, remeber, where still ice fishing up here, so you guys down there are starting to forget about the spring run when its just warming up here.


You can also go west to the more known rivers, the Two Hearted and the Fox, but those are always busy.
Good luck

[uptracker]

There are a ton of good rivers and lakes in the EUP. I just spent a few years going to LSSU. Or did I spend a few years hunting and fishing around there...can't remember.