Ashland Area Fishing Report for Oct. 1, 2015
~ 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. Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing of the year is coming up and anglers are already getting excited for that classic fall bite.
“A lot depends on the wind speed,” said Carolyn Swartz, co-owner of Anglers All in Ashland. “That is one of the governing factors.”
Shallow-water fishing will be picking up – inland and on Lake Superior – as the water cools and the fish are more active during the daylight hours. Although the smallmouth bass will stay out in the deep water, the cool fall weather will be a boon to trout and salmon fishermen.
“Throughout the month of September it's been pretty warm up here,” noted fishing guide Luke Kavajecz of Anglers All, “and although the colors are turning, it doesn't feel like fall just yet. Water temps on the bay are hanging in the upper 50s and even low 60s in some areas as of today (Sept. 28).”
A happy young man shows off the smallmouth bass he caught during a late September fishing trip with Anglers All guide Luke Kavajecz. “It's been super foggy the past few days out there,” said Luke. “The water is still warm yet, and it doesn't really feel like fall quite yet.” (Photo courtesy of Luke Kavajecz)
With these conditions, the smallmouth bass are still keeping pretty much to their summer patterns, Luke said. He said he has been finding fish here and there shallow (in 3-6 foot of water) just roaming around scattered structure.
“There are fish out in the deeper holes too, but it's still fun to look for those shallow fish,” he said. “When we get our first good change of weather, the fish should start to school up a little deeper.”
There are good reports of Coho salmon being caught along the river mouths and there have been fish caught up in the rivers as well. “The first good push of fall steelhead came into the Brule River the other day,” said Luke, “and there are some big Cohos in there right now, too.”
The steelhead action is happening late in the day and should only get better as fall progresses.
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!
~ 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.
Ashland's 18th annual CenturyLink WhistleStop Marathon, Half-Marathon and Festival will be Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10. Don’t miss the hearty Lake Superior Fish Boil & Pasta Feed on Friday evening. On Saturday, Cruisin’ the Corridor 5K and 10K races begin at 8 a.m., the half-marathon gets going at 8:30 a.m., and the full marathon starts at 9 a.m.
The two-day event also includes the 16th Annual WhistleTot "Little Engine That Could" Toddler Run at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Join us in cheering on these adorable pint-sized athletes as they truck down the 100-foot course inside the Bay Area Civic Center. Wooden WhistleStop Whistles will be awarded to all the toddlers taking part in this race open to kids ages 2-4.
Enjoy food, fun and great music at the Post-Race Party starting at 10 a.m. Saturday in the festival tent. Acoustic Relapse will kick off the day’s performances followed by the Northland College and Ashland High School jazz bands. Highlighting the Post-Race Party will be local dynamic trio Defeating the Purpose bringing you their re-energizing music.
Topping off the weekend will be the WhistleStop Blues and Brews Festival Saturday night featuring two spectacular bands, MilkBone and Pop Rocks. Held in a heated, 1,000-person festival tent, Blues & Brews allows you the chance to sample over 50 varieties of microbrews from all over the Midwest, including expertly crafted beers from Ashland’s own award-winning South Shore Brewery. (Must be 21 to attend.)
For additional information, visit www.whistlestopmarathon.com or call the Ashland Area Chamber at 715/682-2500.