Ashland Area Fishing Report for May 29, 2014
~ Fishing Guide Nate Baron from Up North Guide Service (http://www.upnorthguideservice.net/) and fishing guide Scott Bretting from River Rock Inn and Bait Shop, 715/682-3232 (http://www.riverrockinn.net), report the following:
The ice is finally starting to leave the south channel and the Apostle Islands. Memorial Day weekend brought some beautiful weather along with some excellent fishing! Water temps spiked 10-12 degrees in a couple of days and the pre-spawn smallies are moving onto the beds.
Smallmouth bass and northern pike action has been excellent on Chequamegon Bay this past week in 2-6 foot of water (FOW). Everything is working for smallies at this time! Casting Rapala X-Raps, square-billed crankbaits, Senkos hooked wacky-style, topwater baits, spinnerbaits, tube jigs and live suckers in shallow water have all been working.
Large northern pike are also sharing the same habitat as the smallmouth bass at this time and are providing some great action. The walleye on the bay has also started to heat up. Try trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits in 4-12 FOW in the morning or evening.
Anglers had a successful Memorial Day weekend off of Houghton Point, Long Island and near shore trolling for brown trout, coho salmon and the occasional lake trout. Most fish have been coming off the surface in 6-30 FOW trolling stickbaits, scatter Raps and Berkley Flicker Shads.
Finding warmer water temperatures has been key. Expect some great trout and salmon fishing as the water continues to warm. Anglers have been having great success soaking smelt on the bottom for burbot, lake sturgeon and northern pike out on the bay also this past week.
The crappie and bluegill fishing has been very good this past week on the area’s inland lakes with water temperatures rising into the 60s. Muskies have finished their annual spawning rituals on most of the smaller lakes at this time.
Target the smaller, shallower lakes with 6" jakes, twitchbaits and small bucktails. Look for fresh weeds starting that will attract the forage. Concentrate on shallow bays and weed edges on the north end of lakes and creek mouths which tend to warm quicker.
There are still plenty of steelhead in the streams yet and they have been providing some great action. The steelhead put up an incredible fight during post-spawn and warm-water periods.
Good luck fishing and tight lines to all!
~ Fishing Guide Roger LaPenter and wife Carolyn from Anglers All, 715/682-5754 (http://www.anglersallwisconsin.com), report the following:
This report is about the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay. The smallmouth bass action has been very good in the sand cut area this past week. The best activity has been in the shallow breaks off the sandbars where anglers have been moving jigs and twister tails very slowly.
In addition, the occasional walleye and northern pike are being caught in the same area using the same technique described above. Walleye action has been moderate off the Ashland shoreline with anglers using mainly stickbaits in the early morning and evening hours.
People are having good luck trolling with stickbaits for brown trout and coho salmon. They are flat-lining stickbaits over 30-70 FOW. They are also having moderate success trolling for walleyes in the weedbeds in the shallows of the bay.
Sturgeon are being caught off either end of the breakwall and anglers are “soaking smelt” (letting the smelt lie on the bottom) for those. They are also catching northerns from shore using live bait such as sucker minnows or by soaking smelt.
For the most complete and up-to-date fishing report, give us a call at Anglers All and we will keep you informed.
~ The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, www.visitashland.com, 1-800-284-9484, reports:
Fishing is always a thrilling adventure in the Ashland area!! Don’t miss Kids’ Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Rods, reels and bait will be provided along with a delicious lunch at this free, family-friendly event! Phone 715/685-9983 for more information or go to www.nglvc.org.