Marquette County :
Carp River
Marquette, Mi. Steelhead, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout, Brook Trout.
Falling over 15 miles down a very steep gradient of nearly 600 feet the
Carp is one of the best kept secrets of the UP. Clear cold waters rampaging
over granite rock and boulders with a gravel bottom offer the angler a varity
of fish all the way up to the Carp River Falls about 5 miles upstream. From
the rivermouth in the Marquette Lower Harbor local anglers give moderate
pressure to this river but nothing like a downstate quality stream. Fly
fishing and/or spin cast generally with spawn is the ticket here. Easy parking
and lodging almost next door make the Carp an excellent destination river.
Lodging: Nordic Bay Lodge( 800-892-9376) Guides Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447)
Fly/Bait/ Tackle Gander Mountain (906-226-8300)
Chocolay River
Marquette, Mi. Steelhead, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Pink Salmon, Chinook
Salmon . The Chocolay River rises in eastcentral Marquette County and flows
north into Lake Superior at the village of Harvey about 4 miles east of
Marquette.About 35 miles long the watershed is approximately 250 square
miles. The Upper Chocolay drains permeable sand and gravel moraines in an
area of steeply sloping glacial drift, which release and abundance of cold
groundwater into many tributaries. Ninety percent of the river is ice free
even during the coldest winters and the gravelly moraines provide an adundance
of spawning habitat. Salmonoid reproduction here is excellent. The river
is fished year-around. The Chocolay wea a fabled Steelhead stream in the
20th century and still has an excellent run today. Many Steelhead even overwinter
in the river. Many fish rest in the downstream holes at bends in the river
and at tributary mouths. Brook Trout are found in the upstream portions
and in th! e tributaries. The river can be floated with a small canoe or
kayak. Lodging: Nordic Bay Lodge; (800-892-9376) Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters
(906-228-5447) Fly/Bait/Tackle Gander Mountain-(906-226-8300.
Little Garlic River
Marquette, Mi. Steelhead. Brook Trout. Located about 10 miles north of Marquette
on county road 550 the Little Garlic is a notable Steelhead River especially
during the early part of the season with the spring run-off. Filled with
large granite rocks and boulders the river is fishable either at the rivermouth
or upstream from the DNR parking lot just west of County road 550. You can
trek upstream about 3 miles to the Falls. Just below the falls there are
many small pools that hold many spawing Steelies. I've spent hours at the
base of the falls just watching the fish trying to make the upbound leap.
Spawn works best for the Spin casters and muddlers and streamers for the
Flyfisherman. Lodging; Nordic Bay Lodge(800-892-9376) Guides Uncle Ducky
Outfitters (906-228-5447) Fly/Bait/Tackle Gander Mountain (906-226-8300)
Escanaba River
Gwinn, Mi. Brook Trout. Brown Trout. The Escanaba River is one of the Upper
Peninsula's largest river systems and has many miles of flotable water.
Draining more than 900 square miles of remote hardwood forests and conifer
swamps in the central U.P. from south of Marquette to Escanaba the river
has several tributaries that form; most notably the East and West Branches
and form a confluence to the mainstream near the village of Gwinn. The drainage
area is found on the precambrian shield, with rugged outcroppings of rock,
sheer cliffs, towering hardwood forests, and pine plains. It can be a very
swift flowing river especially early in the spring run-off. One of the best
Michigan rivers for trout the Escanaba and its tributaries offer a varied
and challenging experience. For a float rip the main stream from Gwinn to
the Boney Falls Basin (25 miles) is best. Just below Gwinn the East Branch
dumps in and the fishing is great below the confluence. Also for a shorter
trip there is access at Sawmill Creek about 10 miles below Gwinn. This is
the best float area. The river runs about 40-60 feet wide and 3-4 feet deep
over a bottom of solid stone mixed with sand. Riffles are spaced from 1/4
to 1/2 miles apart. Trout hang out in the alternating pools or at the base
of the riffles. Like a Western river it is wide open for flyfishing and
is wadeable. Fishing pressure is light. Guides Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447)
Canoe and Kayak Rentals Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447). Fly/Bait/Tackle
Gander Mountain (906-226-8300)
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