Ashland Area Fishing Report for May 16, 2014
~ Fishing Guide Nate Baron from Up North Guide Service and fishing guide Scott Bretting from River Rock Inn and Bait Shop, 715/682-3232 (http://riverrockinn.net), report the following:
The ice finally went out of Chequamegon Bay last Friday, thanks to some strong westerly winds and a lot of rain. The water is still really cold right now though and not many anglers are venturing out.
There is even some ice still floating around out there by Houghton Point and Long Island. Plus there is still ice on the south channel along Madeline Island.
“The smallmouths are not biting yet,” said fishing guide Nate Baron. “It’s still too early for that. But I’m sure people will be out this weekend fishing because warmer weather is predicted.”
If nothing else, right now is a good time to get your boat ready, arrange your tackle, buy some new lures and prepare for the coming season.
The streams and rivers in the area are up to their banks following the recent rains. The water is very high and muddy and may remain that way for several days. If you do decide to chase steelhead or trout this weekend, be extremely careful wading as the currents are very strong at this time.
Good luck on the water and tight lines to all!
~ Fishing Guide Roger LaPenter from Anglers All, 715/682-5754 (http://www.anglersallwisconsin.com), reports the following:
Anglers have been getting some walleyes at the hot pond this past week, mostly casting with stickbaits. They have also been trolling the Washburn side of Chequamegon Bay mainly over from Houghton Point to the Onion River and having some luck catching brown trout, walleyes and coho salmon.
The water is still really cold and it needs to warm up for the fish to be more active. Carolyn LaPenter advises anglers to try to find mud lines if possible as that is where the fish often hide this time of year.
Anglers should watch the ice conditions, she added, as there are some big “bergs” moving around out there around the Apostle Islands.
“There is lots of floating ice out by the islands,” Carolyn noted, “so fishermen should be aware that they might not be able to get their boat back in at the same spot they went out from.”
Sturgeon are being caught off either end of the breakwall and anglers are “soaking smelt” (letting the smelt lie on the bottom) for those. They are also catching plenty of lawyers as those fish like the dirty, muddy waters prevalent at the moment.
The northerns, browns and walleyes are after the smelt and are coming into shore down on Ashland’s east end, so you can catch them by trolling as well right now. This is another sign the water is starting to warm up a little bit, said Carolyn.
For the safest and most up-to-date fishing report, give us a call at Anglers All and we will keep you informed.
~ The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, www.visitashland.com, 1-800-284-9484, reports:
Fishing is always an adventure in the Ashland area! And outdoors enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 8th annual Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival May 15-17 at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. For more information or to register, call 715/682-2500 or visit www.birdandnaturefest.com.