Ashland Area Fishing Report for March 31, 2016
~ Fishing guides from Anglers All, 715/682-5754, report the following:
This report is about the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay. The ice has been in and out of the bay several times now, with the most recent change in wind direction blowing it back in last night. The amount of open water is definitely on the increase, however, and it shouldn’t be too much longer before the bay is completely free of ice.
“Back here we are still seeing ice by the boathouses,” noted Carolyn Swartz, co-owner of Anglers All on Ashland’s far east side, “but it’s clear to the west of us by the condos.”
Carolyn said from her vantage point she can still see ice in the bay over toward Washburn.
“I know there is some ice along the shoreline in places over in Washburn, but then there is open water around the coal dock. This stuff is going to keep moving back and forth until it totally disappears,” she said of the lingering ice. “We are in transition still, but we’re getting there.”
“Nobody from here (Anglers All) is even going to try smelting until next week,” she added. “I haven’t taken the water temperature yet to see where we’re at, but I don’t think it’s warm enough for them yet.”
Those who plan to venture out and try trolling should look for clean water and mud lines, according to Carolyn. “They will want to troll on the clean side of those mud lines. The fish like to hide in the dirty water and then pop out into the clean side.”
Carolyn said the water is pretty high in the local rivers and streams after the recent rains and with the snowmelt. “The surrounding streams and tributaries are very high and dirty. It would be wise for people to wait until they come down a little.”
She said there is some steelhead fishing going on with people using spawn, yarn and flies “during the times when the rivers are fishable.”
** 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:
Open-water fishing on Chequamegon Bay is getting closer every day. “With this rain and if the winds are right, we may have no ice out there by the weekend,” said an optimistic Scott Bretting, owner/operator of River Rock Inn & Bait Shop.
“But either way people are starting to get out,” Scott continued, citing the example of an area angler who had luck trolling in front of Second Landing. “He launched his boat from his house further east though because Second Landing is still locked in,” Scott explained, adding that the man reported there was still ice about 2 miles out.
Other folks have been fishing off the Ashland Marina seawall and Washburn coal dock, as well as the open water around the ore dock base. Scott said he has received reports of some nice trout and salmon catches.
“People have been fishing from both the Short Bridge and Long Bridge west of Ashland,” said Scott, “and the ‘pig iron’ beach down by the (Xcel Energy) power plant west of the breakwall. Once the ice moves out, that will turn into an active spot for early-season pike.”
Trout fishing season opened up last Saturday on designated sections of some Lake Superior tributaries. Anglers have been out 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.
“We’ve had nice reports of stream fishing for steelhead,” Scott said. “They are up high in the creeks already, which seems kind of early, but the last two years we had ice and snow until May.”
He said egg patterns are a commonly used bait to attract steelies. “They are using spawn sacs, brightly colored yarn, spinners … looper bugs are also working for some people.”
Scott said the inland lakes are starting to open up, too. “Those should see lots of action in the next week with the increasing open water.”
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 last week. 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.
“It should be a real good smelt season without any ice blocking them from making their spawning run,” Scott commented. “And we know there’s plenty of smelt in the bay because they were catching them all winter.”
** 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 this 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.
Ashland native Nate Baron, owner and operator of Up North Guide Service, shows off the sweet 27.5-inch steelhead he caught March 28 in a local stream drifting a spawn sac. (Photo courtesy of Nate Baron)
Daniel Terry of Iron River caught this huge lake trout during a recent trip with busy fishing guide Josh Teigen. “It felt good to get in the boat!!” said Daniel. “Nothing better than catching big lakers with Josh Teigen!” (Photo courtesy of Josh Teigen’s Guide Service)