Caught 21 total in our Early morning fishing for lake trout in Bete Grise, Keweenaw Peninsula

The winning laker caught by Bill

All of our fish that we took home, 18 in all, after throwing 3 back

Left the dock at 6:10 this morning with 2 of my boys as deck hands, John and Bill. We went directly out to the lake trout fishing grounds, since the Coho fishing has been slow lately. Started catching fish almost right away, got slow for a while as we moved off the “spot”, but getting back, we picked up our fair share of nice lake trout.  We released a couple small ones, but came back with a cooler full of healthy lakers, many of which had the pink, even orange meat, much like coho flesh. What prettty fish!

Bill’s comment was “… the best fishing I EVER had on Bete Grise!” Bill fished with his deep sea rod (meat pole as some call it) and John and I used the downriggers, ho on the port side, me on the starboard. We did not keep track of who caught what, but I think the catch was pretty equal between all three lines.

Also dragged a surface line and dypsy line that were un-productive.  Oh yeah, had a line at 60 feet for a while with no fish on that. All of our catch was with-in 20 feet of the bottom, even though the graph was showing suspended fish aroung 100 to 120 feet down.

Also, the graph showed some nice thermoclines at or near the bottom. For bait, bill had a herring dodger and fly, I had a laker taker and John had a orange/black/gold silver streak, proving that all work as well when fished at the same speeds at the same time!

Planning to go to Stannard Rock light (not Standdard rock as some say) tomorrow to try out some new spots. Anyone interested in joining us, call and let me know, I’ll see what I can do to get you aboard

Lighthouse Sightseeing Charter, Fishing Charter and Fishing with my Boys

Yesterday, we went on a 135 mile run to Huron Island light, Granite Light and Stannard Rock Light with the same Larry that chartered around the point to see 5 lighthouses. Brother Mitch also came for thee ride. (nice to have someone with experience along to help with docking, driving and just another set of eyes.) The whole day was flat water and seemed to go fairly quickly. Left the irons at 6:05 am and motored directly to Huron Island. First time there for me, but Mitch had been there before. Larry got his pictures, then we docked up for a quick hike up to the light. Very interesting walk, only 15 minutes all together. The walk is mostly up-hill and also cross a couple of concrete walkways. Amazing how they built them to last back then.
On the ride over to Granite light, passed a schooner about 150 footer anchored in a bay.
At Stannard Rock, Mitch and I fished for a couple hours and picked up 7 lakers, 3 of which we released and brought 4 home. The 4 keepers were all in the 7 to 11 lb range, caught on jigging rods and trolling rods.
This morning, I brought out Stephen, Manny and his wife Laura on a fishing charter. Tried for some Coho first with no success, then deeper out for lakers and caught 5, lost one. The first one was a 2 lb laker that I dropped in the lake, but it was belly up floating, so we turned to retrieve it. As we were going back, we got a double on the other 2 riggers that were out, so we had 3 fish just like that. Added 2 more and lost one before heading in. One sick customer on board today on fairly calm water.
After lunch, me and the boys fished some more, but inland for perch and bass. Stanley got one nice Small Mouth Bass.

Re-cap of last 2 days, sightseing and fishing in the Keweenaw

Pam and Jeff, with him at the wheel of my craft.

My boys and I with out lakers and one coho salmon from trolling on lake superior this morning.

Yesterday, I brought a nice couple, Jeff and Pam from Madison, WI out to see the Mendota Lighthouse, Gull Rock Lighthouse, and Manitou Island Lighthouse for pictures. They also got pictures of Bare Bluff and a few other sights alone the way. There are a few commercial fishing nets to watch out for besides the sunken ship markers.
The water was a little rough on the way back, but not too bad. They were out for an adventure anyway and they got it.
Afterwords they dined at the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor and are thouroughly enjoying the Copper Country as it was there first time here.
My boys and I fished this morning and picked up one Coho and 7 Lake Trout, 3 that we released.

Chicago Family on a Lake Trout Fishing Day Trolling on Lake Superior for Trout and Salmon

For those interested in joining me, I am going on a 150 mile, 3-lighthouse photo taking ride on Monday. (Stannard Rock light, Huron Island light and Granite Island light) Didn’t land any salmon yesterday, but caught 5 Lake Trout, one for each of the 5 family members from the Chicago area. They spent the week at our cottage on Torch Lake and came up to Lac La Belle for a morning of fishing on the Big Lake. Had several more hits, but poor hook sets resulted in lost fish. There were a lot of fish showing up on sonar, mostly suspended at about 60 to 80 feet down in 100 to 170 feet of water. There was an active bite early, as we picked up one right away and had other hits right after that, but things got slow around 8:30 or so. I filleted the first 4 fish at the end, while still fishing and we caught our 5th and final one as I cleaned them. Someone was paying attention to the lines above and behind me as I focussed my attention on my cleaning task.
Water temps on the surface were around 66 and saw thermoclines on the graph pretty steady with lots of bait fish above the thermo. I wished we had more time, since according to the game and fish feeding lunar tables, there would have been another active bite around noon and we were mostly fishing in the slow time of the morning. I’ve been watching them a lot lately and am becoming a believer in their accuracy more and more as time goes on. Of course they are not the only indicator, because the sun, or lack of sun plays a part, as does the wave action,  barametric pressure, time of day, or night, water temperatures, speed and presentation of lure or baits… the list goes on.
Going on a 3 light house sightseeing ride this evening with a couple. This will cover the Mendota light, Gull Rock light and the Manitou Island light.

Sightseeing/fishing combo – Slow fishing with Ken and Kami

Ken and Kami with a 3 lb Lake Trout caught near the point today

Ken holding his laker, with Calvin in background

Fished near the point today because this couple wanted to do some sightseeing and I thought I’d bring them to see the Gull Rock Light. We fished for an hour and picked up this laker just as we started to pull lines. We them motored over the the lighthouse, which was in the fog, but Kami got some pictures on an “erie” looking lighthouse shrouded in fog. 

On the way back, we dropped some lines near the bluff and hooked into another fish, but it got off. Kami got to feel it for a minute before shaking loose. I wish we could have gotten out earlier, when there would have been a more active bite, but at least we got the “skunk” out of the boat. It was a very good looking fish with nice pink meat… a good meal for a nice couple. 

Neighbor Terry also came to help out and enjoyed the day on the water.

update on fishing

Brian & Ben with part of their catch. While cleaning them, caught one more

I added some pictures to this blog… Going out with a man and his wife tomorrow on a fish/sightseeing combo trip. Had 4 charters in the past 4 days leaves no time for blogs.
One was sightseeing only, around the point to see 5 lighthouses and 4 fishing charters.
Caught 23 fish including 1 king and 3 coho, the rest lakers.
Lost another big fish on a dypsy yesterday that I think was a king.. he really peeled off the line on a fairly tight drag before puling free.
Fished in high winds close to shore for 2 days and could not go to our preferred spots but we found some fish. Had to cancel 2 afternoon charters due to wind. Oh well, that’s the nature of the buisiness.
Day off in Duluth today. Will post Picts of fish and lighthouses later.

Fishing for Lake Trout out of Eagle Harbor on Scum Line

Fished today out of Eagle Harbor with little success. Only 2 lakers caught, but also lost 2 fish. The ‘Scum Line” was almost non-existent even though we caught one in just 20 minutes on Saturday out there. Tried to troll in 3 different places before jigging in close near silver Island. Nothing caught with jigs either, so we trolled in close and ended up with just 2 fish.
I will be driving the boat back to Lac La Belle on Wednesday morning with a guy from Menominee who is interested in taking pictures of a few lighthouses. Anyone else want to join us? Following this, I will be doing 5 charters back to back on Wednesday afternoon, (2) on Thursday, and (2) on Friday.

Isle Royale Bobbing, Jigging and Deep Sea Trolling for Lake Trout and Salmon

Spent the weekend at Isle Royalnne with Margaret and her brother Dave and wife Anne. Left on Thursday and back Saturday night. Caught fish all three days and brought home our limit of 12 lakers. Also caught some Coho Salmon. The biggest one was caught by Dave… a 18 pounder and Anne caught a 12 lb laker. The coho were only 2 lbs.
We fished with jigging rods, hand lines on a kapy, trolling rod (meat pole), downriggers, dypsy divers, and side planers and had success with all methods. My black and red “ladderback” lure was productive as usual.
Many other friends and relatives there… Margaret counted 38 of us at Passage, with a total of 6 boats there. Hiked to the Passage lighthouse with M, Dave and Anne and got a few pictures of the light and surrounding places of interest. Check out the picts on the “Gallery” page.
Very nice weather and good crossing both ways by ourselves. Other boats coming home today, Sunday, but the weather is not desirable today with thunderstorms passing through. Glad we came yesterday.
Stopped on the scum line out of Eagle River for 20 minutes and picked up a 8lb laker. Would have fished longer, but the crew was anxious to get back. My boat is now at Eagle River and have 4 or 5 charters lined up for the next week, so have to decide wether to fish there or bring boat to Lac La Belle again.
See the “Gallery” page for more pictures of the Isle Royale trip, including more lighthouse area pictures.

Sightseeing and Fishing for lake Trout Near Keweeenaw Point

Fished for a couple of hours before a little sightseeing around the point yesterday with a small and happy family. Lost one near the boat before landing two nice lakers.
Margaret and I are now taking the next few days or so off to fish some more at Isle Royale. Or maybe it would not be considered “off” since it is still fishing!? Dave and Ann and a few other boating parties will also be with us.

July 5th Fishing

Robert and his father Pat fished with us in the morning. They awoke before the birds in order to drive all they way from Iron River, MI, a 3 hour drive with no coffee. It seems that nobody stays open 24 hours anymore. Anyway, it was worth their trip as they caught 7 fish including one Coho.
The afternoon was spent with 3 men, 2 boys and their grandpa. Fishing was on the slow side, as we only landed 5 lakers, but all were very nice healthy fish. Some with really red meat, one would think they were salmon, by the color of the flesh. Looks like they were feeding on bugs and small smelt and perhaps alewives. Most of these lakers were caught on my good old trusty Diamond King lure with it’s peeling paint and beat up look.