Sucker Lake

Big Bay de Noc is located on the north end of Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, in the south central part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, east of the cities of Escanaba and Gladstone, Michigan. The area is noted for its scenic wilderness shorelines. The eastern shoreline, near Fayette State Park, has beautiful limestone bluffs.Many shallow reefs and boulders are found around the islands and shorelines that can hinder navigation. Big Bay de Noc and Ripley shoals are large, off-shore structures that pose hazards but are not marked.

Alewife, trout-perch and smelt are utilized by large perch. While several species of insect, including mayfly larvae, caddisfly and midge larvae, are used by most perch. Crayfish and round goby are important forage for smallmouth bass. Walleye and northern pike prey heavily on perch, smelt and alewife. Emerald shiner, spottail shiner and sucker are also present.

In early spring, right after ice-out, perch are found in Ogontz Bay, Garden Bay and near the Big Fishdam River mouth. Walleye relate to the rocky shoals and windblown shorelines with rock or gravel bottom to spawn in spring. Due to the bay being very large and open, heavy winds can create difficult spawning conditions on these structures and results in a decrease in spawning success. Shallow areas with soft bottom, marshy areas and tributaries attract northern pike in spring to spawn.