Generally, Kuffer said walleyes in the St. Marys system follow a predictable pattern. They migrate downstream away from the dam on the upper river as spring and summer progress, and then they reverse the process in the fall. The shallow bays near the lower end of the system are good locations to look for ’eyes early in the season.

“Raber and Munuscong bays can be very good early in the season,” offered Kuffer. Early in the season could mean right after the season opens into July. “I have done well there because of the lack of pressure,” Kuffer continued. “Both Raber and Munuscong fish best early in the season when the weeds are still growing.”

The key, according to Kuffer, is to find the subtle drop where the weeds end and the main bay begins, which can be much farther from shore on Munuscong than on Raber.

As the shallow bays warm and the cold waters of Lake Superior moderate during late summer, the walleyes move into the shipping channel to follow schools of smelt and alewives, but they will quickly shift gears to take advantage of seasonal abundances of baitfish and other forage. When the walleyes are relating to deep structure and baitfish, jigging can be productive, but generally, a tactic that allows anglers to cover more water is better.

“The best technique the last few years has been bottom-bouncers and crawler harnesses,” claimed Kuffer. “The rig just allows you to cover a lot of water, and that is key on the St. Marys.”

To find information on guides, bait shops, tournament schedules and accommodations near the St. Marys River, contact the Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau at (906) 632-3301, or online at www.saultstemarie.com.

THUNDER BAY
Once famous as Michigan’s Brown Trout Capital, the waters of Thunder Bay near Alpena have now become one of the top destinations for Great Lakes walleyes.

“Thunder Bay has turned into another Saginaw Bay,” quipped veteran charter skipper Ed Retherford. “They are catching more and more walleyes here every year, and more and more of them are being caught in the daytime.”

Once thought to be strictly a nighttime fishery, the secret to Thunder Bay’s daytime walleye bite is just beginning to be unlocked.