Episode 38
Another U.P. Hidden Gem
Show Date: September 19, 2026
Location: Marquette, Michigan
After the great time we had fishing with pro bass angler Ron Johnson on our last trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, we didn't need much convincing when Ron told us he had another treat waiting for us. So we made the trek back to the U.P., this time bringing our fishing buddy Henry Abbott along for the adventure.
Ron has been spending just about every free moment he gets exploring the lakes of the U.P., and with so many bodies of water to choose from, it's not difficult to find places that feel like hidden gems. In fact, Ron says he rarely sees another fishing boat on many of these lakes. That kind of solitude, combined with the opportunity to discover a great bite, makes exploring the area pretty special.
The weather wasn't exactly ideal for fishing—bright sunshine, high blue skies, and hardly any wind. Ron had a plan, though, and picked a stained-water lake where the reduced visibility would help offset the bright conditions. It didn't take long to see why he chose it.
We got on walleyes and bass right away, throwing Kalin's Jerk Minnows and Wac-O worms rigged Ned-style. The fish came in a good mix of sizes, including some really nice walleyes, and at one point Ron summed up the day perfectly with a little jab at Henry: "Even Henry can catch them!"
When we wanted to change things up, Ron took us in search of crappies. Once we located the school, the action really turned on. We caught a steady stream of fish for as long as we wanted, including some impressive crappies mixed in with the rest. Eventually, we decided we'd had enough of the crappie action and went back to chasing walleyes.
We didn't keep any fish, but we had plenty of opportunities to admire some quality walleyes and crappies before sending them back to the water.
That's what made this trip so enjoyable. We could move around, change species, change presentations, and keep looking for the next bite. With countless lakes to explore and very little fishing pressure on many of them, Ron has an incredible playground to explore.
Another fantastic day in the U.P., and another great reminder that you don't always have to fish the biggest or most famous lake to find some really good fish.
A huge thanks to Ron for showing us another one of his hidden gems, and to Henry for joining us for the fun. We're wishing Ron the best of luck during his tournament season!
