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Fishing Escanaba River: what the data says
UP iron-country river. brook trout upstream, smallmouth and walleye near the mouth. The river tops out around 8 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Escanaba River
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Current seam (mile 2.5) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring rainbow trout. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Escanaba River
Spring smallmouth bass on Escanaba River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 13.7) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Walleye fishing at Escanaba River
Spring walleye on Escanaba River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Dam tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Brook Trout fishing at Escanaba River
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 2.5): a current seam around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 8 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Rock Bass fishing at Escanaba River
Spring rock bass on Escanaba River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Riffle & run (mile 13.7) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Notable structure
- Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 8.3): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.4): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.3): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.7): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Inside bend (mile 5.4): point, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 24.5): current seam, around 6 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 22.4): eddy pocket, around 5 ft
- Inside bend (mile 20.3): point, around 5 ft
- Channel swing (mile 16.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Escanaba River?
Escanaba River is about 8 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Escanaba River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout, rock bass on Escanaba River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Escanaba River?
Current seam (mile 2.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Escanaba River?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Bass Lake · Little Lake · Shag Lake · Pelissier Lake · Kawbawgam, Lake · Goose Lake
See how Escanaba River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Michigan · best walleye lakes in Michigan · best rainbow trout lakes in Michigan · best brook trout lakes in Michigan
Browse all Michigan fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.