Ashland County Fishing Report
Anglers All Reports, Located at 2803 E. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2) in Ashland, is a full-service tackle and fly shop offering a huge selection of baits and tackle for year round fishing. For the most complete and up-to-date fishing report, just give them a call at 715/682-5754, and they will gladly keep you informed!
Luke from Anglers All Reports: Cool nights and cools mornings have been the norm around here lately and it's hard not to start thinking about the next season ahead. Fishing pressure has been minimal on the Bay and the bite has been on for a variety of species. Smallmouth fishing has been great with morning fishing being the best. Some really nice fish are starting to come back into the mix and although there are still a few fish hanging out in some shallow spots, most of the fish have been hanging in that 15-30 ft range. Dropshotting small shiner imitations has been the best technique for those deeper fish.
There are cohos and browns making there way into the Bay as well, and again, early morning has been the best to find these active fish. Fish have been found in 30-50 feet of water running shalow stick baits as well as cranks that run 10-15ft down.
Whitefish are being caught jigging in 50-60ft of water and make for great fun on light tackle. Lake Trout season has been closed to recreational fishing in zone W-2, as the quota for the year has been met. It will reopen again on December 1. Lake Trout fishing in zone W-1 is still open.
Lake Trout Season for Sport Fishing Only closed SUNDAY, August 20th @ 11:59pm until the opener on Dec.1st. But you can still target Brown Trout, Cohos, and Splake!
Please get involved with Public Meetings!!!!!! You can make a difference!
River Rock Inn & Bait Shop, Located at 1200 W. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2), in Ashland where you can stop in and see their wide variety of live bait, fishing tackle, gear, accessories, fresh and smoked fish from Lake Superior, local meat sticks, and microbrews, and much more. Call them at 715/682-3232 for the most current fishing report.
Scott Bretting from River Rock reports: There are cooler nights now and fall is in the air. Small Mouth are out deeper now and looking for cool water in 12 to 15 foot range depth using sucker minnows and shad raps. Small Mouth will get more active now…they put their feed bags on and turn into eating machines…so they should really be biting!!! We are starting to see weed growth in that 12 to 15 foot area, which gives the Small Mouth some cover. Due to some inclement weather that came in, Small Mouth Bass fishing has been a bit tough but it WILL pick up. We are also seeing good numbers of Northern Pike in that same area. Even though live bait is an excellent choice, artificials are working well.
Trolling for Walleye's in Chequamegon Bay at 15 foot using planner boards and scatter raps has brought in some nice fish.
We were getting some rain and seeing activity in some of the local streams with reports of some nice native Brown Trout in Fish Creek and White River.
note...keep a look-out for commercial fishing nets within the Islands where there is great fishing! The commercial nets at the end of Long Island are gone, so trolling in the area will improve and fall fishing will be FANTASTIC in that area. We are seeing some nice Northern's being caught in the Bay!!
Inland fishing has been productive. The Blue Gills, Crappies, Perch and Bass are very active on the Inlands using crawlers, and leeches. There is a wide variety of baits to use for fishing any time this summer!!!!! Shore fishing off the Marina Sea Wall, Power Plant and the Base of the Ore Dock has brought in many fish from Rock Bass to Walleyes. Anglers are soaking Smelt and catching fish! Don’t be afraid to switch up gear mid-day. We are in typical September fishing! Enjoy!!!!!