The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce report
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce report; the local anglers are calling in and letting us know the fishing is good right now in the Bay. Northern’s have been biting along the Shoreline and anglers have been catching them in the shallows. 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.
Carolyn at Anglers All Bait Shop says the #1 report is: Small Mouth Bass fishermen are in heaven right now! Anglers All reminds you to be gentle with the fish right now. The Number one primary spawning grounds are Sand Cut, Brush Point and Oak Point. The secondary spawning grounds are the Head of the Bay and the Shoreline. 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 in their post spawn feeding stage and biting. The Anglers are using crawler harnesses and stickbaits and also coasting along the shoreline with stickbaits. 715-682-5754.
Hudson’s On the Spot Guide Service, Capt. Jim Hudson and River Rock Inn and Bait Shop reports…Crazy how fast weather changes things. The water temps are climbing here in the bay, due to some hot and sunny days along with warm nights. With that, it has pushed fish around a bit, but the fishing is still really, really good.
SmallMouth went from Pre-Spawn, in deeper water, to pushed way up shallow in a matter of days. Fish were cruising a lot the past week, looking for beds as the water temps went into the 60's. Right now, we will see fish that will be on bed and in spawning mode, but still have fish that are pre-spawn as well. So, you can literally catch fish in a foot of water out to the deeper stretches of the Kakagon and Sand Cut. Watch the water temps and fish the fish accordingly. Lots of soft plastic techniques are working right now, but, you can still catch fish on jerkbaits and traps as well.
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, it’s been good.
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 River Rock Inn and Bait Shop at 715-682-3232. www.riverrockinn.net