Ashland Area Fishing Report for Jan. 30, 2015
~ Fishing Guides Roger LaPenter and Luke Kavajecz from Anglers All, 715/682-5754 (http://www.anglersallwisconsin.com), report the following:
This report is about the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay. It's mid-season ice fishing and there are a lot of opportunities to get after just about everything that swims out there.
“We've still got excellent travel conditions on the bay and to points north,” said fishing guide Luke Kavajecz of Anglers All. “Minimal snow on the ice and great ice depth make it pretty darn easy to get around.”
To the north, nearshore fishing for trout has been decent with some days better than others. Whitefish are being caught out in a little deeper water as well as the occasional herring. Set tip-ups rigged with a shiner and a small hook just a few feet below the ice for the herring.
Into the Apostle Islands, the ice conditions are variable. As of a few days ago, there's open water on the north side of Madeline Island and lots of blue water beyond that. Just be super careful when venturing into the islands.
As always, conditions can change rapidly on Lake Superior. For your own safety and especially if you are unfamiliar with the area you will be fishing, hire a local guide or check with a bait shop prior to venturing out on any ice.
In Chequamegon Bay proper, smelt fishing has been great out near the lighthouse and in the deeper water of the channel. If you can find a good weedbed, you can catch smelt all day long. Use a super-light rod rigged with a Hali jig tipped with waxies or a minnow head.
“It's great fun and you can get your smelt fix if you have a craving for the tasty little morsels,” noted Luke. “Just be prepared for the occasional brown to come through and test your lightweight smelt tackle.
“Anything can happen out there this time of year,” he continued. “It's kind of fun to see how many different species you can catch in a single day.”
For the most complete and up-to-date fishing report, just give them a call at Anglers All and they will gladly keep you informed!
~ The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, www.visitashland.com, 1-800-284-9484, reports:
Fishing is always a thrilling adventure in the Ashland area! Chequamegon Bay is famous for its world-class smallmouth bass fishing.
Ashland’s King of the Bay Snowmobile Drag Races will be Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Maslowski Beach. Held on the ice of Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay, this exciting event offers hot snowmobile racing action with 660-foot tracks on both shaved ice and groomed snow. King of the Bay also features raffle prizes, concessions and awards in more than 60 classes. Go to www.ashlandkingofthebay.com for more details.