One Day Charter Trips from Marquette
15 May 2005 to 31 Oct 2005

Half Day Trolling Trips and All Day Stannard Rock Jigging

Our one day charter trips from Marquette are available aboard the Uncle Ducky II or the Uncle Ducky III Sportfishing Vessels. Both of these boats have twin engines and are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and Michigan DNR to carry up to 6 passengers. They have enclosed cabins to get all 6 passengers inside in case of inclement weather. Both have restrooms, refrigerators, micro-wave ovens onboard. We keep an ample supply of soft drinks and water on board. We can also supply coffee and continental breakfasts is you wish. On all of our trips we supply all of the tackle and lures. You are responsible to obtain a Michigan Fishing License with Trout Stamp for all of your party 17 and older. One Day Licenses are available. We do not mix groups on the boat unless the party booking the trip requests it and the booking cannot be dependent on it. We will also have your fished cleaned for you upon return to the dock.

Stannard Rock
Stannard Rock - Lake Trout Jigging 

 All fishing equipment supplied by Uncle Ducky Charters 
 
Located 40 miles north of Marquette and 26 miles southeast of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Mid Lake Superior, Stannard Rock Reef is one of Lake Superior’s most remote fishing reefs. It was discovered by Captain Charles Stannard in 1835 aboard the fur trading vessel JOHN JACOB ASTOR. This natural fishing reef is actually an underwater mountain range comprised of many pinnacles and smaller reefs and canyons that are home to the native Mackinaw Lake Trout that often exceed 30 lbs and in which the Michigan State record fish at 61 lbs was caught in 1999. The reef is approximately 1x5 miles in area and nearly protrudes to the lake surface from surrounding depths on nearly 600 feet. We fish this area using G-Loomis rods and Shimano reels, 14 lb. Fireline and white leadheaded jigs, twister tails and some cut sucker meat.  Also, casting spoons is a very good method and even fly fishing during bug hatches works very well.

The Stannard Rock Lighthouse stands as a lone sentinel to protect shipping from running aground on this reef. The 102 foot tall structure was completed in 1882 and was continually manned until 1961 when it was automated.

Normally we depart our dock at Marquette’s Presque Isle marina at 6:00 am unless you want to go earlier. The trip out takes about 2 hours or slightly less in normal sea conditions.

Customers should bring their lunches, a raincoat, camera, small cooler for fish once we return, sunscreen, coffee if wanted, and if you feel you need something for motion sickness make sure you take it prior to leaving the dock. Normally its not needed but of course some people are more  susceptible than others. Also, everyone one aboard must have a valid Michigan fishing license.  We provide soft drinks, limited snacks, all fishing equipment including rods, reels, jigs, and cut bait. On the way out some anglers want to watch the sunrise while others just catch a little more shuteye. There is plenty of room on the uncle ducky II for everyone to be inside out of the sometimes cool lake superior air.

Once we arrive at the Stannard rock area we get out the rods and brief everyone on how to jig for these fish. The key is vertical jigging with short rapid retrieves and then longer slower retrieves and drop back down to repeat the process again. Once the drift of the boat causes the line to go more horizontal then we crank in and drop back down more vertical.

Having arrived at the rock at about 8:00 am we first fish at a couple of spots where we know there are a lot of smaller fish just to give you some practice before moving off to more productive larger fish locations.

We fish until about 1:30 regardless of how many fish are caught. The limit for possession is 3 per person including the captain. Maximum number of fish that can be brought in is 21 if we have 6 anglers on board. You can catch and release as many as you like.

The trip back in again takes about 2 hours and we normally send the fish to Thills fish market to be cleaned. Its part of the cost of the charter. On weekends, however, we clean them on the way back in as Thills is closed when we normally arrive.

This is a trip of a lifetime if you like jigging or casting for big fish. It can get a little choppy but normally the best time of the year is from June 1st through August 15th to have the best shot for good weather. Many of our customers schedule two days. One for local inshore fishing and the other Stannard rock and then we go to Stannard the better of the 2 days.

Welcome aboard. You're in for the trip a lifetime.

Lake Superior Trolling Trips

This is really a great way to relax and enjoy a morning or afternoon on the water with family or friends, business aquaintances or clients.

We operate both morning and afternoon trolling trips from the Presque Isle Marina in Marquette's Presque Isle Park. Trolling for Lake Trout, Salmon (Chinnok and Coho), Steelhead, Brown Trout, and Splake. We're not fishing too far from home only about 10 miles at the most and never over 2-3 miles offshore.   We are trolling with Downriggers, Dipsy Divers, Planer Boards, and Flat Lines. This  is a very relaxing way to fish. Many of our customers bring along a picnic lunch or dinner.

We have both morning and afternoon/evening trips availabe for your convenience and also can adjust times for you if necessary.

Costs for these trips are:

• Morning 6:00am to 1:00 pm     $499.00
• Afternoon 2:00pm to 8:00 pm    $399.00
• Up to and including 6 passengers

For more information or to make a reservation please call us toll free at 877-228-5447 or email us.