Ashland Fishing Report
~ Fishing guides from Anglers All, 715/682-5754, report the following:
This report is about the Ashland side of Chequamegon Bay. With daytime highs in the 40s and even some 50s, ice conditions are changing very rapidly now.
“Can you get out there (on the ice) is one question,” noted Carolyn Swartz, co-owner of Anglers All in Ashland, “but then the flip side of that is can you get back afterward? The boat landings are certainly problematic.”
“Water is starting to go through the holes that were already drilled on the ice,” she continued. “If it stays cloudy like it is today, the ice should hold up fine for the weekend. But if the sun comes out, it’s going to eat up that ice quickly.”
Carolyn said anglers who are determined to go out should bring an ice bar and check their way as they go. And she reminded everyone to be sure to wear a flotation device. Extreme caution is advised!
On a drive up the Bayfield Peninsula this week Carolyn saw that there are floating icebergs between Bayfield and Madeline Island. She said that leaving off of the coal dock in Washburn is no longer possible because a pressure crack has opened up too wide for an ATV to get through safely.
“Your best bet now is to spend the time getting your summer gear ready,” Carolyn suggested. “Check over everything and start prepping your boat. Open-water fishing will be here before we know it!”
** Located at 2803 E. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2) in Ashland, Anglers All is a full-service tackle and fly shop with a professional guide service for Lake Superior and area inland lakes and rivers, offering the largest selection of baits and tackle in the Chequamegon Bay area. 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!
~ Fishing guides from River Rock Inn and Bait Shop, 715/682-3232, report the following:
Although the fishing was grand last weekend for the annual Ice-O-Rama tournament held out at Second Landing, conditions have deteriorated to the point now that fishing guide Scott Bretting said he wouldn’t advise anyone to venture out on the ice of Chequamegon Bay.
“I don’t recommend travel on the ice right now, this year especially,” the owner/operator of River Rock Inn & Bait Shop said. “It never was a good ice year. We’ve had marginal ice all winter and now with this weather, no way. Conditions are too unpredictable.”
“The snow in my yard was gone overnight, that’s how fast it’s happening,” Scott noted, adding that there is a lot of high water in area creeks and streams right now from snow melt.
In response to a question about intrepid (or perhaps insane) anglers who were seen sitting on what appeared to be chairs within a few feet of open water near the “hot pond” earlier in the week, Scott said “they were after cohos.” He also observed that “they must not have gotten any because you notice they haven’t been back.”
UPDATE: Anglers were again positioned daringly close to the edge of the ice shelf by the Xcel Energy warm-water discharge pool (or hot pond) on Friday morning (3/11). Make of that what you will, but it looks highly ill-advised to the average observer.
Scott said he “had a lot of fun” participating in the 29th Annual Ice-O-Rama held last Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by the North Wisconsin Rod & Gun Club.
“I caught a lot of whitefish and I know they had good reports of perch and northerns,” Scott said. “A 21-pound northern pike won the tournament. A local guy who hadn’t been catching many fish caught that huge pike on a perch rod using less than a 6-pound test line. If he hadn’t been an experienced angler, it would have gotten away.”
Scott said he was pleased to have caught his five-whitefish limit on Saturday for a great meal Sunday with his family. “We battered them up and then cooked them in an electric skillet,” he explained. “Man, they were good! Sometimes we will broil them or cook them out on the grill, but whitefish are good any way you prepare them. They’re just a great, all-around eating fish.”
Bretting is cautiously optimistic about the chances for an early ice-out this year and with it perhaps an early smelt run.
“None of the boat landings are open yet,” he said. “They’re all still locked in with ice. We’re definitely in a transition time right now. That could last a month or more.”
“Ice-out typically occurs during the second or third week of April, but it’s certainly possible it could be earlier this year. We’re looking at the earliest we’ve ever changed over our store from winter to spring tackle, I can tell you that,” Scott added.
He noted that commercial fishermen are able to get out on the lake from Bayfield, meaning his bait shop has fresh fish for sale right now. So if you can’t get out and catch them yourself at the moment, you can still enjoy a terrific meal of locally-sourced lake trout or whitefish!
** Stop in and see their wide variety of live bait, fishing tackle, gear, accessories, smoked fish, local cheeses, meats, and microbrews, and much more at River Rock Inn & Bait Shop, 1200 W. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2), in Ashland. Call River Rock for the most current ice fishing report and they’ll give you the 411 on the bay area!
A happy ice angler displays the nice brown trout he caught in Chequamegon Bay during a late February weekend excursion with Josh Teigen’s Guide Service out of Iron River. “Another great weekend on the ice!” Josh said. “Twelve different species were caught, including the biggest laker, splake, and steelhead of the year.” (Photo courtesy of Josh Teigen)
Fishing guide Josh Teigen of Iron River, Wis., grins while holding the large splake he caught while ice fishing on Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay during the weekend of March 5-6. (Photo courtesy of Josh Teigen)
Josh Teigen, owner/operator of his own guide service based in Iron River, was thrilled when he caught this burbot last weekend on the ice of Chequamegon Bay, his first one of the year. “What a fight!” he commented. The burbot is a cousin to the saltwater cod, commonly known as eelpout, a remarkable predator that is excellent to eat. (Photo courtesy of Josh Teigen)
~ 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. The 12-mile-long bay’s rock piles and breakwater structures make for perfect bass habitat.
The Annual Pan-a-Rama Ice Fishing Tournament will take place this Saturday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Northern Lure Resort & Campground on Gordon Lake in Glidden. This contest is for panfish only. There is a $5 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest panfish in several categories. Lunch will be served. For more information, call 715/264-3677 or visit www.northernlure.com.
The Snowbelt Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host their 16th Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet on Saturday, March 12, at the AmericInn Hotel & Suites, 3009 E. Lake Shore Dr., Ashland. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner served at 7 p.m. Ticket includes the dinner and membership in the NWTF. This is the Snowbelt Longbeards Chapter’s annual fundraising and membership banquet. There will be a pre-event raffle and early bird incentive drawing. For more information, call 715/893-2216 or 715/893-2270.