Black Bay...Crappies???

[Monks 164]

Just curious if anyone has ever caught or heard of Crappies being caught in Black Bay on Lake Superior.

I have found the fishing on Superior to be getting better every year for many species or maybe I'm just finally figuring it out.

Anyway I found an MNR document indicating there are Crappies in Black bay (see page 10) Will be adding this to the list of multi species opportunities on Superior this year to try.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@letsfish/documents/document/stel02_198321.pdf

[Eyeguy 22]

There's a few in the Kam, but have never heard of any caught in Superior. Not saying they're not there - I just haven't heard of any.

[Guest Munshaw]

I agree, it's fantastic having a great fishing opportunity close to town that is able to support not only such a large and diverse population of fish, but could support a large amount to fishermen as well. Sorry, fisherpeople.

Edit: it also shows Black Sturgeon Lake, Nipigon Bay, and Thunder Bay. I wouldn't put much stock in it.

[iCORY 2]

is black bay safe to take a small aluminum boat out on?

[Lyle Reiner 174]

It's a very large body if water that can whip up quickly. Feel free to head out, but as with any part of superior, be mindful of weather and make sure you have GPS

[iCORY 2]

thanks for the info, sorry to hijack the thread

[Guest Munshaw]

is black bay safe to take a small aluminum boat out on?

Depends on your definition of small. I would say anything smaller than a 16 foot deep and wide with a 40 would be unsafe. I almost got caught out there once in a 16 footer with a 60 on the back, and that was a large boat for a 16. Waves whipped up from the SW and coming back into the boat launch was extremely dangerous as the waves got larger and the period got much shorter.

That said I've also seen old Finlanders out there in 14 footers in a good 3 foot chop all by themselves.

I guess it all depends on how comfortable you are in potentially *really* big water, what kind of safety equipment you have on board, and how much you value your life. Season doesn't matter so much, as if you go overboard for any length of time, its not a matter of *if* you'll get hypothermia, its *when*.

Squaw bay itself isn't so bad, but its easy to get farther away from the boat launch than you remember, particularly when trolling for long periods. Its one of those things, as soon as the wind begins to pick up, you best be making it back to the leeward shore. I tend to get out there really early when its usually calmer, and often am blown off by lunch time.

[johnr 47]

i got caught in a lund wc 14 30hp. Calm leaving the launch at Grann Drive and by the time I reached the islands the wind started. Too rough to open up the engine so had to crawl back. By the time I got half way back to the launch we had driving rain and 4 foot rollers. White knuckled upstream of the launch and drifted in to drop my buddy to back the trailer in. No cover at the launch so had to park the trailer high and dry and let one of the waves plant the boat. Nearly CRAPPED MY DRAWERS and landed as smooth as silk. He hooked up and drove off. I am now known as a big chicken s**t for leaving the lake at the earliest hint of trouble. By the way...I live on Lake Superior so I am familiar and still get caught. Be very cautious or prepared to spend the night!!!!

[iCORY 2]

I have a 16" deep and wide lund, and a 15hp johnson seahorse that is tempermental at the best of times. Probably I will just avoid lake superior with this rig