Heading out for a little fishing excursion in our great state of Michigan this fall…..5 to 6 day trip heading north out of Grand Rapids. I will be pulling my usual rig with a 14 ft flat-back canoe inside. As of right now the tenative plan is to stop in Antrim Co., probably I -Chain, for the first night (infiltrate Shorts Brewery afterwords)…proceed to Big Island Lake – Wilderness Area. One, posibly two nights here depending on the fishing. Any words of advice for this area would be appreciated as I am a Big Island virgin. Proceed to Craig lake….first time here as well. The last day I'm planning on driving all the way south to Green Bay and hiring a guide near Menominee. That part will obviously take care of itself……but inbetween Craig Lake and Green Bay are a thousand options. Iron Mountain area, Lac Vieux,Chicagon-Emily, Brule, Lake Michigamme, head into Vilas Co? I would like to hit one other lake in this area. PMs or replys about Big Island, Craig, and any other lakes in the U.P. in between Craig and GB would be much appreciated. Obviously I'm attempting numbers, a shot at a biggin, and scenery all in one week……get one shot a year so I want to make it count….as most of you know, planning is half the fun. Tight Lines. Adam
If I had a canoe I would put it in on the Paint River and float from the first bridge above Horserace Rapids to the top of Paint Pond flowage. On a map, look at the river west of Amasa, maybe 10 miles, for the bridge put-in. Take out would be the northen-most public access on Paint Pond, about 15 miles north of Crystal Falls.
I simply need 2 weeks for a trip like this….Chicagon has always interested me, the Cisco Chain ate me alive one year, and Ranger's Paint River float would be amazing….especially since I can have a contact in the Crystal Falls Area that could spot us….the only downside is we may be ready for a break from the canoe after all the time in Craig and Big Island. Love this! Keep the ideas flowing and really would appreciate ANY advice on the Big Island portion and maybe a refrence to a guide for GB out of the Menominee area (found several on line)…..thanks Ranger and Lunge of all that is Cyberlicious. [smilie=2thumbsup.gif] PS…almost forgot, it looks like Coon Lake next to Craig has had some limited stocking which I'm wondering if anyone has ever caught a Muskie from this lake….and do any of the other Big Island lakes connect or is Big Island the only one that holds fish? Thanks again, Adam
"Adam Minnick" said:
…and do any of the other Big Island lakes connect or is Big Island the only one that holds fish?
Big Island does not connect to the other lakes for fish passage. Mid Lake (next lake over) long ago received a batch of fall stockers, but highly doubtful those fish reproduced in that weird little lake.
So things have changed a little for my trip, but I will still need to PM a few of you guys who have been in Craig Lake and Big Island. A friend from work recently had a back surgery but will be healthy enought to tag along, thus allowing us to utilize his two properties just north the Crystal Falls area. (about an hour from Michigamme Lake and CLSP). Also will be taking a long time friend who is moving to San Diego in a couple of months who will be in a kayak. Its looking like mostly Craig and Big Island with a side of McKeever and Michigamme……still ending in Green Bay. If anyone has info on the wilderness area of Big Island and is willing to share, let me know. Michigamme looks like a real beast as well, but had me curious. Thanks Adam
Michigamme is tough water, as is Peavy. Big wind will blow yer yak/canoe totally away if weather comes up.
Put the yak on the Paint River access bridge I mentioned above then you can wait for him in yer boat on Paint Pond. If yer buddy really knows the folks just north of Crystal Falls, tell him I'm from the old Hahn Brothers deer camp (Razahaba and Lajobi)straight west of Amasa on the Paint River.
Ok that sounds like a good float (still might put my buddy in the yak on it), but I am going to have by big boat with me also looking for a little time to straighten my back out…..thats why I was thinking about some bigger water (michigamme, peavy, etc) After looking into some things we will probably heading south to Groveland. Ranger…I'm budies with the Nelson's who stay on Fence Lake Rd. They have a few walleye rearing ponds and his father Rick Nelson was the only US Marshal in the UP for about 15 years….could you PM me some information on the ponds, I've heard this was your stomping grounds. There is very little on line. The ramps were supposed to be improved late last year, but can't find much like I said. Always appreciate the posts, Thanks, Adam
Craig Lake is worth the trip, there are a few portages that will be rough with anything larger than a 14ft'r and light weight. Last year when I had a foot issues, I did a portage to craig (we stayed in the yurt on Teddy) and then over to crooked. The boy scouts we passed on the trail had fairly good luck on crappie, we CNR'd a dozen or so real nice bass and a few nice gills. My foot wasn't up to the tougher portages though as we have done in previous years. The park ranger was installing nice fire rings at sites on Craig which has a few awesome locations. Pm for specifics. Van Riper(Michigamme) state park has a real nice cabin for rent on the water, or lots of local cabins too.
Crooked:
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Craig(from the Crooked lake portage):
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The uphill portage has a wood slide with stairs, but other wise the hike is fairly straight forward, mark your trail path well if you are unfamiliar, esp at the 4 way. Last year the directional sign was ripped down and laying on the ground. GPS enabled phones may or may not work.
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