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March 2003Vol. 8, No. 1 Lots of Ice! The deeply cold weather that has hit much of the eastern part of the nation, arrived in the U.P. at mid-month, and immediately went to work on what had been the open waters of Little Bay de Noc. Ice fishing shacks popped up all over the bay, as fishermen hurried out onto the frozen surface to try their luck. The lack of snow cover on the ice has caused some shacks to move in the wind. More than a few ice fishermen have retired for the night, and then returned the next day to find their carefully augured holes are now outside their shacks! Another phenomenon noticed this week was the sight of a fisherman ice skating back to his shack over the smooth frozen surface of the bay. Many walk out to their shacks, some ride four-wheelers, while some drive out in style in the family car. The ice is thick enough to drive on in many places, but it's thin in others, and there are many pressure cracks to avoid. In the last few weeks, the larger walleyes were taken up at the northern end of the bay, while smaller walleye and perch were pulled thru the ice south of Gladstone. One regular visitor to the area from Lower Michigan walked into the store last week with a 2 pound, 15 inch perch. It's too early to say with conviction, but locals are expecting that we'll have ice on the bay longer than usual this year. If you're interested in trying your luck thru the ice, just call the resort and Naomi can help you rent a heated ice shack, and even recommend a guide who could provide everything from drilling the hole to providing a tasty shore lunch! BayShore Walleye Stew 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped 1 fresh jalapeno chili -- thinly sliced 1 small onion -- finely chopped 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels 3 cups de-fatted chicken broth 1/2 cup (slightly sweet) white wine 1 cup chopped parsley 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon honey 1 16 oz. can peeled, seeded and diced tomatoes 2 lbs. walleye fillets cut into 1-inch pieces Serves 4 Heat oil in a 4 to 5-quart pan over medium-high heat. Add fresh tomatoes, the jalapeno chili, onion, and corn. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to brown (about 10 minutes). Add broth, wine and the canned tomatoes. Cover and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat before stirring in the fish. Keep on the burner for 2 minutes, then remove from burner and let stand until fish is just cooked. Stir in fresh lime juice, honey, and sprinkle with parsley just before serving. Serve with garlic toast. Demons, Weasels, and Varmints... Perch are going after wigglers and wax worms one day, and two to three inch minnows the next! Walleyes are biting on baits like locally made Swedish Pimples, along with Demons from Custom Jigs, and Weasels and Varmints from J B Lures. We're busy re-ordering these popular lures, while trying to keep the fast moving Marble's knives and hand axes in stock. Some folks have already reserved cabins for the coming season, while there have been many calls to the store for specific color Reef Runner Lures. Many walleye tournament fishermen are preparing for the first of the contests that are not too many weeks away. While in the shop on your vacation this year be sure to look for new colors and styles of crank baits. Naomi promises to have some new and unusual ones this summer. You're sure to find one or two that you'll want to try out. Also new in the shop are Inland Lake map books, with separate volumes for Eastern and Western U.P. lakes. CD-ROM versions of the books will be available, so you can study the lakes at your leisure. Got some pictures of the big fish you caught in the bay? We're are always looking for additions to their web-site photo gallery. You can e-mail your pictures to [email protected]. Remember the resorts' web-site always has the latest DNR fishing report along with information about new products available on-line and in the shop. You can even find old newsletters in case you want another copy of a special recipe. A week or so from now the resort will be the center of activity for the Kids First Fishing Derby. Last year the ice was so poor the Derby was cancelled! Organizers have been busy collecting prizes to add to those not given away last year, so that each child taking part in the contest can win something. UP Coming Events February 8 Kids First Fishing Tournament August 22-24 PWT Professional Walleye Trail Lowrance/Lund North Central Pro-Am Sept 13-14 MWC Masters Walleye Circuit
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