The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Report
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce report; the local anglers are reporting they didn’t get out on the Bay fishing much this week due to the rain and stormy weather Wednesday and Thursday. The forecast calls for possible thunderstorms and cooler temps Saturday through Memorial Day. Respect the Bay and always check with the weather reports on storm and wind conditions before you head out on the water. Fishing right off the docks has been good and the Smallies are biting like crazy. Restaurants, Shops, Convenience Stores and the friendly People in Ashland are ready to welcome Anglers to our beautiful City. Check out our Historic Downtown after fishing. Ashland is the Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin and home to many unique shops and the award winning South Shore Brewery, home of the Nut Brown Ale and homemade Root beer. Local restaurants serve delicious specialties like Fresh Lake Superior Fish, North Coast Chowder soup or Wild Rice Soup.
For more information on fishing in Ashland County or for an updated weather report, check out www.visitashland.com or call 800-284-9484.
Fishing Guide Roger LaPenter at Anglers All Bait Shop says the Small Mouth Bass fishermen are still very happy with Bass Fishing right now. The Number one primary spawning ground is Sand Cut. Along the Shoreline the Northern fishing has been very good. There have been reports of some Trout and Salmon in the Bay by the Breakwater. A lot of panfish have been caught at the Marina Breakwall. Sunrise is the best time for catching fish in the shallow waters. Anglers have been mainly fishing for Trout and Salmon on the outside of the Bay, starting around the old Coast Guard dock and working all the way out to the Islands. The Walleyes are biting at the head of the Bay and Brush Point. Anglers are using crawler harnesses and stickbaits and also coasting along the shoreline with stickbaits. Roger has been busy with many anglers wanting to be guided out on the Bay as they check out all the fishing hotspots! You can reach Roger at 715-682-5754.
Hudson’s On the Spot Guide Service, Capt. Jim Hudson and Scott Bretting at River Rock Inn and Bait Shop report: Everyone is getting geared up for the Memorial Day weekend here on the big water. Looks like it might be a typical holiday weekend, rainy and windy. But that does not mean the fish wont bite, as we do have some great fishing happening right now.
SmallMouth especially. They are on their annual spawn routine in the Kakagon and Sand Cut. Most males are on bed now and females are recouping in the deeper stretches. 60 degree water temps, so we should see
this going on for another week or so, until we see some better post spawn action. Catching them on worms, tubes, grubs and drop shots most days. With the big rains we are getting and wind, look for the water to be a bit cloudy, but the fish will still bite.
Still, quite a few trout and salmon being caught in the south channel and around Houghton Point. Again, trolling is the main method to catching the fish. Now that the water is starting to warm, differing tactics need to be deployed to be successful, everyday. Leadcore, Dipsys, and Downriggers are all a part of the equation now, with Spoons and Flasher/Dodger - Fly rigs needing to be used, especially for Salmon.
Lake Trout fishing is going well, and we have been catching some big fish. Wind is really the limiting factor, but, on the days we have calm weather, its been good. Jigging is a great way to catch them right now, just as if we were still ice fishing. Hit those spots and anchor, use a drift sock, or slip the water with your trolling motor to move slowly and you will get hooked up. Again, same type of lures and bait you would use for ice fishing out here. Heavy bucktails, spoons, or beetles tipped with some cut-bait. Trolling has been good too, mainly right on the bottom. Also, in the South Channel area and in the islands, the water temps are prime for shallow water lakers. On the surface in the South Channel, from shallow water to out to 80FOW at times. And along the islands, along the shoreline. Trolling to catch them, on stickbaits and shallow leadcore techniques.
Panfish have been pretty darn good on the inland waters. We have been out a few times and have been keeping up to date with our local friends who have been fishing quite a bit. Crappies are the main target right now, water is still a bit cold for good Bluegill action. Weeds associated with spawning areas are key, as is the warmest water possible. Walleye fishing has been great too, best bet for me is to find the greenest weeds, with a small drop associated. Pitch jigs and slip bobbers to these areas to find the concentrations of fish. Smallies on the inland waters are good right now too, just getting onto their spawn as well.
Contact Jim at http://www.fishchequamegonbay.com 715-209-6431. Contact Scott Bretting at River Rock Inn and Bait Shop at 715-682-3232. www.riverrockinn.net