Ashland Fishing Report
~ Fishing guides Roger LaPenter and Luke Kavajecz from Anglers All, 715/682-5754, report the following:
This report is about the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay. Winter is here with a vengeance, folks! We’ve got single-digit high temps and snow almost every day. The Ashland area has received 1-2 more inches of fresh snow over the last couple of days with more on the way tomorrow.
The bay has finally frozen and people are starting to take machines out off the Ashland shoreline.
There are still a lot of areas out on Chequamegon Bay that are pretty sketchy, according to fishing guide Luke Kavajecz with Ashland’s Anglers All, but he says “there’s anywhere from 4-8 inches of ice out in front of town. It gets pretty thin the further out you get.” (Photo courtesy of Luke Kavajecz)
“We’re looking at 6-8 inches of ice thickness on the Ashland side,” said Carolyn Swartz, co-owner of Ashland’s Anglers All. “It could be a little more – it could be a little less. Just be prepared for pack ice along the shoreline with it being a little rough until you get out a little ways.”
She said folks have been “catching a little bit of everything,” including perch, northern pike, brown trout and whitefish. Over in Washburn, anglers have been catching some fish off the coal dock, such as brown trout, whitefish and smallmouth bass, mostly using shiners.
Although there are still a lot of areas out on the bay that are pretty sketchy, “there’s anywhere from 4-8 inches of ice out in front of town,” according to Anglers All guide Luke Kavajecz. “It gets pretty thin the further out you get.”
“As of a few days ago, the ice at the S-curve was NOT safe and the same sheet meets up probably about a mile out from town,” Luke added. “Things can change fast, so it could be good soon. If in doubt, don’t go out.”
“There is new ice in Washburn and people have started going out off of the S-curve,” Carolyn continued. “They need to use extreme caution on that new ice, especially because it has snow on top of it.”
She said that hard-water anglers who have been venturing out are jigging with all kinds of variables, using tip-ups, lake shiners, and waxies.
On the inland lakes, people are targeting crappies along with northerns and walleye. Again, extreme caution is urged, however. “Even though you see people out there, you should still use an ice bar and check your way as you go,” Carolyn warned.
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 Guide Scott Bretting from River Rock Inn and Bait Shop, 715/682-3232, reports the following:
According to River Rock’s first ice report of the season posted online earlier this week, the S-curve is about 2" thick and not safe to walk on yet.
“We checked off of the ore dock and the ice ranges from 5-8 inches everywhere,” the report says. “We checked out a half mile from it and to the west. There is a point a half-mile out that has the same ice as the S-curve and it goes down to nothing fast. This needs more time, so be patient!!”
“We would ask that people keep in mind that this is simply an ice report for the areas where we checked,” noted fishing guide Scott Bretting, owner of River Rock Inn & Bait Shop. “Folks should always check, check and check again. Use a spud bar and never travel on a machine until you are sure it's safe!”
“People are catching some nice browns,” he said, “and quite a few whitefish. There are a lot of bait fish around and a lot of smelt, plus they’ve been getting a few nice walleye in the evenings.”
Scott said anglers “are starting to venture out a little further each day. The layer of snow makes it spotty though. The cold weather should take care of some of those lighter spots. But with the snow cover, you can’t see the transition from new to old ice so that snow can be very deceiving.”
“There is ice on part of the bay now, but the other side was open water just last weekend,” Scott continued. “I really can’t stress caution enough. Especially if you are new to the area or a visitor, heed the warnings. Ask one of us before you go out. And don’t be a leader. Go where the locals have been because they usually know where it’s safe.”
Stop in and see their great selection of live bait, fishing tackle, gear, accessories, smoked fish, and much more at River Rock Inn & Bait Shop on West Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2)!
Please remember: No ice is ever 100% safe! Conditions can change rapidly on Lake Superior in particular. Please have all the necessary safety equipment with you such as ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag or case, a life jacket and length of rope. 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.
Ice safety: Did you know?
New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly‑formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially‑thawed ice may not.
Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.
Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.
(Ice safety information taken from Wis. and Minn. DNR websites.)
~ 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.
- A High School Ice Fishing Tournament on Chequamegon Bay will be presented this Saturday, Jan. 16, by the Wisconsin National Guard from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Send-off and weigh-in will take place at the Armory, 420 Sanborn Ave., Ashland. Refreshments will be served at weigh-in. For more information, call 715/577-2590.
- The 8th Annual Butternut/Schnur Lake Association Fisheree will take place Jan. 16 at Butternut Resort, 11633 Lakeview Rd., Butternut, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be raffles and cash prizes for the top three longest fish of these species: walleye, perch, crappie and northern pike. There is a minimal registration fee. For more information, call 715/769-3333 or visit www.butternutresort.com.
- Iron River’s Annual Fishin’ Chicks Ice Fishing Contest will be held Jan. 16 on Spider Lake, Iron River, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Only women can compete, but men can attend and assist. Proceeds benefit breast cancer awareness efforts. For more information, call 218/591-4333 or visit www.fishinchicksforbreastcancer.com.
- Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17, during Free Fishing Weekend. This includes all inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Other fishing rules apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species. So, pack up the family or call your friends and head to the water for fishing fun! For more information, go to www.dnr.wi.gov and search “Free Fishing Weekend.” This is a great way to introduce new anglers to ice fishing!
- The Gordon Lake Annual Ice Fishing Tournament at Northern Lure Resort & Campground, 23913 Preib Rd., Glidden, will be held Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The minimal entry fee includes lunch. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish. For more information, call 715/264-3677 or check out www.northernlure.com.