Fishing, Photography, and the Beauty of Escanaba Harbor in Pictures (Eating Safe Fish Guide)

Escanaba Swan

I can print most pictures up to
poster size for $50
Frame or Unframed. I do
this as a hobby so 50% for charity
and 50% for me. 
Send me a message to the right
or my email. 
You may check out My Gallery
and Art Page
muradabel@gmail.com

There’s something special about heading out on a beautiful day and casting a fishing line into the water. It doesn’t have to be an all-day adventure. Sometimes 20 minutes, a half hour, or an hour is enough to reconnect with nature. Whether you're standing on a pier, relaxing along the shoreline, or spending a few hours in a boat, these moments offer a chance to slow down and appreciate the world around us.

Along the way, you might spot ducks gliding across the water, swans passing by, or a breathtaking sunset reflecting off the harbor. These simple experiences remind us that life is about more than work and deadlines. Finding a healthy balance between productivity and enjoying the outdoors can make all the difference. Creativity comes from blank spaces.

For years, I focused on working hard and accomplishing goals. While those goals still matter, I've learned that making time for activities like fishing is just as important. Recently, I've been experimenting with artificial lures and a compact retractable fishing rod that fits easily in my car, making it simple to stop and fish whenever the opportunity arises.

The photographs featured here were taken while fishing in two beautiful locations in the Escanaba harbor. These images capture not only the fishing experience but also the natural beauty, wildlife, and peaceful atmosphere that make this area so special. Take a moment to browse the photos and enjoy a glimpse of the sights that make spending time outdoors worthwhile.

Escanaba Lighthouse

I can print most pictures up to
poster size for $50
Frame or Unframed. I do
this as a hobby so 50% for charity
and 50% for me. 
Send me a message to the right
or my email. 
You may check out My Gallery
and Art Page
muradabel@gmail.com

We have great water and we should always protect it. Reading about fishing and some of the issues our habitat faces allows us to create awareness of how our policies on a state or national level impact our world. While we have realatively clean fish here there are places where poor decisions have impacted entire communities. Forget politics and make good choices for yourself and society. Keep our environment clean. I eat the fish that I catch here...when I catch them. :) 

Check out, 

Michigan Upper Peninsula Eat Safe Fish Guide 2025

• Provides fish consumption guidelines for lakes, rivers, and waterways across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
• Lists recommended serving limits for different fish species based on contamination concerns such as mercury, PCBs, PFOS, selenium, and toxaphene.
• Organizes advisories by county, including Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, and Iron Counties.
• Includes lake- and river-specific guidance for common fish species such as walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, bass, trout, and suckers.
• Advises “Do Not Eat” recommendations for certain fish in highly contaminated waters, especially larger northern pike, carp, and some PFOS-affected species.
• Notes that bluegill, perch, and other panfish are often considered safer “Best Choice” fish when not otherwise restricted.
• Encourages anglers to cross-reference Great Lakes guidelines for fish caught near Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron.
• Includes maps and tested water bodies to help residents and anglers make safer fish consumption decisions throughout the Upper Peninsula.

Escanaba Aronson Island

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. (2025). Upper Peninsula Eat Safe Fish Guide 2025. 

A couple of fish products worth considering:

Browsing around to see what might work well in this area. 

Panfish Kit: Looks like some interesting stuff. 

Backpack Tackle: I might actually consider getting this one for my retractable pole and gear. Makes more sense then just the bucket.

Telescope Rod: These types of rods are cool. I use them all the time.