Ashland Area Fishing Report for March 24, 2016
~ Fishing guides from Anglers All, 715/682-5754, report the following:
This report is about the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay. Ice conditions are changing very rapidly now. Going out onto the ice is NOT recommended.
Anyone who plans to go out fishing should by all means bring an ice bar and check their way as they go. Flotation devices are a necessity. Extreme caution is advised!
“Your best bet now is to spend the time getting your summer gear ready,” suggested Carolyn Swartz, co-owner of Anglers All. “Check over everything and start prepping your boat. Open-water fishing will be here before we know it!”
** Located at 2803 E. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2) in Ashland, Anglers All is a full-service tackle and fly shop with a professional guide service for Lake Superior and area inland lakes and rivers, offering the largest selection of baits and tackle in the Chequamegon Bay area. 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!
~ Fishing guides from River Rock Inn and Bait Shop, 715/682-3232, report the following:
Ice fishing on Chequamegon Bay is over for the season. The remaining ice is so thin and unstable that no one should go out on it at all. A few days of warmer weather combined with prevailing winds from the south should see the bay free of ice.
Folks have been trolling out of Saxon Harbor to the east of Ashland, according to Scott Bretting, owner/operator of River Rock Inn & Bait Shop. He said other area boat landings like up in Bayfield and Cornucopia might open early.
“Unfortunately, the wind has blown the ice back into Chequamegon Bay for now,” he said. “And Second Landing is still locked in. It’ll probably be another week or two before that opens up.”
Despite previous hopes for an early smelt run this year, it now looks like we won’t see any smelt action until at least the second week of April, Scott noted. This will put us at about our normal pace because the smelt don’t typically start their spawning run until the third or fourth week in April. The run usually commences shortly after ice-out on the bay and lasts only 12-14 days.
Scott did mention that trout fishing opens up this coming weekend on certain streams. According to the DNR website, trout season will open Saturday, March 26, on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries.
Scott said anglers can go after rainbow trout and steelhead in the lower streams from the sloughs inland, including the Sioux, Onion and Brule rivers as well as Fish Creek. “They’ll catch browns in those streams, too.”
** Stop in and see their wide variety of live bait, fishing tackle, gear, accessories, smoked fish, local cheeses, meats, and microbrews, and much more at River Rock Inn & Bait Shop, 1200 W. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2), in Ashland. Call River Rock for the most current ice fishing report and they’ll give you the 411 on the bay area!
~ The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, 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. The 12-mile-long bay’s rock piles and breakwater structures make for perfect bass habitat.
- The Annual Bay Area Farm & Garden Show and 4-H Dairy Breakfast will be held Saturday, April 2, at the Bay Area Civic Center in Ashland featuring 4-H displays and the popular “Largest Scrambled Egg Omelet” dairy breakfast in the Northland. Look for local honey and other dairy displays. There will be fun for the entire family! The 54-inch frying pan will once again be used to prepare the “All-Wisconsin Scrambled Omelet” that serves 100 people and weighs about 50 pounds. The omelets will be prepared in the exhibit area. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare each omelet, which contains one-half pound of butter, six pounds of cheddar cheese, six pounds of ham, 250 eggs, onions, mushrooms and salt and pepper. 715/682-2500
- The Wild Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold their Fishing Expo and Auction on Saturday, April 2, from 1-7 pm at the Ponzio Center on the Northland College Campus. The event will feature two great speakers: Great Lakes Stream Restoration Manager for Trout Unlimited Laura MacFarland and fishing guide Luke Kavajecz from Anglers All. Activities include fly fishing instructions, bucket raffles, and a live auction.
- The Washburn Area Ducks Unlimited Banquet is set for Thursday, April 7, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Steak Pit, 125 Harbor View Dr., Washburn. This popular annual event features many quality guns & prizes, plus an awesome cooked-to-order steak dinner. For more information, call 715/373-2087 or 715/779-3639.