ESPN Freshwater

SKANEE, Mich. — Where do you find salmon and trout in the largest freshwater lake in the world by area, a lake that holds 10 percent of the world's surface freshwater?

Lake Superior's shoreline draws a picture of a wolf when you look at it from an airplane, with Isle Royale as the eye.

The lake is also as fierce and scary as a lone wolf separated from her family and can get angry in a very short time.

If you look toward the lower jaw of the wolf, you will see the Keweenaw Peninsula. It reaches well out into the unprotected waters of the "big lake."

Weather is something to keep a sharp eye out for. Strong currents are found here — beware of a north wind. However, the peninsula offers protection for fishermen and boaters in two bays — Keweenaw Bay and Huron Bay.

Keweenaw Bay

Keweenaw and Huron bays provide excellent king, coho and laker action on Lake Superior.

Fishing around the Portage River and Portage Lake area is an excellent first choice.

Many fish species make the trip between Keweenaw Bay and Portage Lake via the Portage River.

Fish the lower Portage River and into L'ance Bay into June and July. Then the salmon fishing remains poor during the rest of the summer. It picks up again in the fall, October being the best month as the spawning season begins.

Fish near the rivers and shorelines. For lake trout, try fishing a contour that runs the perimeter of Keweenaw Bay.

This contour or trough averages 180 feet. It offers good fishing throughout spring, summer and fall. As you can see, lake trout fishing remains steady for most of the year.

Besides coho and king salmon, this "mixed bag" bay also offers good numbers of lake trout, brown trout, steelhead, walleye, pike, smallmouth bass, and perch.

I was in L'ance last week and saw boats catching steelhead, coho and lake trout right in front of Indian Country Sports (906-524-6518).

Huron Bay

Huron Bay may be the smaller of the two bays, but it is packed with action. Looking like a sliver of water, it actually has plenty of room to maneuver your boat. Called Abbaye Point by the natives, Abbaye Peninsula slices off this narrow bay, where streams come crashing into its cold waters.

Having fished this bay several times, some fishing buddies and I know that good catches of salmon and trout are caught in June, July and October. Big fighting kings can be caught just outside the marina area.

A hot salmon lure that is producing huge kings as we speak is a purple-colored Silver Streak.

Coho salmon are located high in the water column in May, June and early July. Early in the season, depending on water temperature, we have flat-lined trolled for coho and lake trout in 4 to 8 feet of water.

Also, look for them on your locator at the 20- to 40-foot range in over 60 feet of water or deeper. Point Abbaye is a favorite destination for good catches of lake trout and salmon. From the bay, look for a green can or buoy and/or a bell which can be found at the far end of Point Abbaye.

There is a reef called Abbaye Reef there that is good for lake trout and salmon. Jim Elmblad of Witz's Marina suggests that fishermen fish northeast of this point.

"Go northeast of the green can and fish in 212 feet of water for trout and salmon," said Jim. He also said to try fishing to the left or west of the point in 167 feet of water for trout and salmon.

Of course, depending on the time of year and water temperature, fish are going to move to suit their needs.

As you know, you need to watch your locator on big water at all times.

Other trout fishermen are having good luck trolling spoons behind Dipsy Divers along the shoreline breaks in 100 to 150 feet of water — right within the confines of Huron Bay.

Smart anglers always run a couple of lines high to capitalize of those stragglers that swim high in the water column.

Look for water near the 50-degree mark for the best lake trout action.

"There is nothing better than sucker meat on the end of a FlatFish, spoon, or a plain hook utilizing downriggers," said ace angler Ernie Laiss of Crystal Falls.

"Lately I have been experimenting with chunks of sucker meat placed in brine overnight. Brine, of course, is a salt solution. We easily got our limit on lake trout the last three times out."

Strips of lake trout belly also work well when things get slow.

Try the lower or south end of the bay for walleye, pike, and bass.

The walleye bite is a little off this year due to a number of rainy cold fronts, but should pick up about now, fish cautiously in these shallows. It can go from 10 to 2 feet pretty fast.

Fish for walleye in 10 feet or deeper, planer boards take baits out to the side and are more likely to produce fish because of the clear water.

Located just about in the middle of Huron Bay, Witz's Marina (906-524-7795) sits in the perfect spot to service the many anglers that visit this unique area.

The town of Skanee is the nearest sign of civilization in this Upper Peninsula paradise. For $3, you can launch your boat.

The launch is free if you purchase a slip for $10 a day or $50 a week. You can rent a campsite for $15 a night.

Bait and tackle are also available. Witz's Marina has the aura of an old-time harbor town. Have a cup of coffee in the shop and listen to the fishermen.

You are bound to pick up some genuine, current information as well as a little misinformation (you know what that is). It's a friendly staff here.

Darlene Elmblad at Witz's has four brothers; ask Bruce or Jim about current conditions and depths to try out on Huron Bay. Call Darlene or Les for reservations and other information.

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