Ashland County Fishing Report
Anglers All, 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! Anglers all reports: Temps in the 30’s and low 40’s are in the forecast through Saturday. It makes it a little tough to predict the ice conditions. However, The Bay area in general has 12 plus inches but be sure and check your way with the ice bar. Machine travel has been the norm. Fishing has remained steady with a great mix of Browns, Splake and Whitefish being caught off the Washburn side. Reports of Perch, Walleye and Browns and Northerns are being caught on the Ashland side of the Bay. The fishing pressure has been pretty high and with a lot of pressure in one area so the fish tend to scatter. Beware of pressure cracks!!! Conditions can change around pressure cracks. Anglers are fishing as far as Bayfield but only in the shallows and using extreme caution. Bring an ice bar to check your way…Bring safety equipment, like ice picks. We have had some really, really cold temps so the ice is continuing to build. Don’t access the ice with machines on new ice unless you have checked the ice depths. Conditions have changed North of Washburn after the wind storm on this past Monday so use caution and call ahead to check!!!!!
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 has been good fishing out there with a lot of Browns and white Fish being caught by Long Island. The Bay on the Ashland side has 17 plus inches of ice.(keep in mind that some areas do vary in ice depths). The Washburn side of the Bay has approximately 16 inches of ice. There is a very large pressure crack on the Washburn side so use caution when crossing it. Ice conditions change often near pressure cracks. There are permanent ice houses and sleeper shacks and tents popping up on the Bay. Machines are appearing throughout the Bay. Beyond that, from Houghton Point toward Bayfield to Red Cliff, machines are not recommended for travel on the ice!!!
There are a lot of Smelt appearing around the Light House. Good bait has been Hali Jigs, Shuck’s, Small Sweedish Pimples with Minnowheads or Waxies. If you are looking for Browns, Walleye or Perch, move away from where the Smelt are appearing. Hot bait for catching Trout has been Acme Hyper Glide along with the Clam Flutterspoon.
There are reports on the Ashland side of the Bay of nice Walleye, Perch and White Fish being caught. Browns, Splake and Coho’s are being caught off of Bono Creek (S-Curve) with ice conditions around 16 plus inches in that area. Inlands have had some reports on some nice size crappies being caught and a few Walleye showing up. Snow cover does make it slushy on the Inlands so be aware!
Attention: Recent snow cover makes it extremely difficult to see the changes in ice conditions! Always bring your ice fishing safety equipment with you. The south channel did open up all the way to the Onion river to the tip of Madeline Island after the last wind storm. However, the Ice road is open right now to Madeline Island. USE CAUTION at all times! Remember to always check your own ice conditions!!!! Bring an ice bar with you at all times!!!
Note…for a Madeline Island Ice Road report check out this web site!
https://www.facebook.com/Madeline-Island-Ice-Road-368319013633710/