The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce Report
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce report; Fishing is starting to pick up again and the anglers are pleased to see the water starting to clear up. Bay Days is coming July 13th through the 15th. This is a Home Town Festival that is fun for the entire family. What a wonderful time of year to come and visit, enjoy the festival at Bay View Park, and test the super fishing waters of Chequamegon Bay/Lake Superior. For more information on events and 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 water still is murky and clay like at this time. Carolyn says the Anglers that are out fishing this week were happy to say "fishing was great all week". The clay water seems to be moving East and the anglers are catching a lot of Walleye, even at the head of the Bay. The Walleyes seem to bite even in the clay colored water. The Bass are biting but need a little more work trying to catch them. If one bait isn't working, just change it up and try others. Lake Trout have been biting, particularly in the flats. The wind direction plays a big part in which part of the Bay you are going to fish. We are looking forward to the water clearing...and it will soon! The fish are there just waiting for the bait!!! Roger likes to fish for Smallies using a 5inch Grub. Along the Shoreline the Northern fishing has been very good. There have been reports of and Salmon and Perch being caught this past week. Overall; Fishing in Chequamegon Bay and off the Marina Wall and Docks has been very good!!! Sunrise is the best time for catching fish in the shallow waters. Anglers are using crawler harnesses and stickbaits and also coasting along the shoreline with stickbaits. Once the water clears up; the fish will see the bait better and the really good fishing will become really great fishing!!! 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.
Fishing Guides Jim Hudson and Scott Bretting from River Rock Inn & Bait Shop report;
Smallmouth are mainly post spawn now. A lot of fish are pushed to the weed beds throughout the Sand Cut and Kakagon, where spinnerbaits - top water - rattle traps - jigs and grubs - and shallow diving cranks are catching these fish. Also, fish are moved off shore as well, onto the Rock Pile and off the Breakwall. Bottom techniques and crankbaits along with livebait are catching these fish. Lake Trout fishing is good, but, we are seeing a push of fish down deep already. A lot of fish a week ago we were catching right up in the shallows, but with calm winds for a week and high temps, the surface water warmed up to send this fish out of the shallows for the most part. Now, we are looking at 60FOW to 100FOW off shoreline structure and 100FOW and deeper for flats areas. Trolling a mixture of spoons and flasher/dodger with a spin&glo has been the mainstay, as usual. Colors depend on light conditions and the mood of the fish; keep switching until you trigger the fish. To reach Jim Hudson call: (715)779-5833 OR (715)209-6431. To reach Scott Bretting call 715-682-3232.