Chequamegon Bay Area Fishing Report, August 16, 2016
Anglers All, Located at 2803 E. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2) in Ashland, 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 715/682-5754, and they will gladly keep you informed!
Roger from Angler All reported: The water is definitely starting to clear. Houghton Point to Pikes has clear water and the fishing continues to be good there. Long Island has cleared up considerably! Trolling for Trout has been great using spoons and spin-n-glows most commonly. Overall, the Big Lake is in good shape and fishing has been good. Fishing the Bay and the Apostle Islands has great for trolling!
Walleye fishing has been good. When you have a clear sunny day, Anglers are fishing the edges of the channel and into the channel to catch Walleye. Use crawlers or stick baits in the early morning or evening and fish the shoreline and the edges of the weeds out in the bay.
Inland Lakes continue in the mid-summer pattern with really good reports from anglers catching Pan Fish, Bass and Northerns.
The Small Mouth bite has been reported good but remain a bit finicky as the weather has not been consistent. “If you can locate the Bait fish, you can locate the Small Mouth”. Always continue to pay attention to the possible floating debris.
River Rock Inn & Bait Shop, Located at 1200 W. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2), in Ashland where you can stop in and see their wide variety of live bait, fishing tackle, gear, accessories, fresh and smoked fish, local cheeses, meats, and microbrews, and much more. Call them at 715/682-3232 for the most current fishing report.
Nate from River Rock reports: The Bay is clearing up nicely and in the mid-summer pattern. Lake Trout fishing has been great, with reports that the Lake Trout are at the bottoms. Start fishing the flats where good numbers of “keep-able” Lake Trout are being caught. The slot size range is 20 to 25 inches. You are allowed one “Trophy Lake Trout” over 40 inches and there have been reports of them being caught in the outer islands area. Anglers are trolling for Lake Trout using spoons and doing well catching fish. Start out with a good mix of different colored spoons. Sometimes the fish bite on the green and sometimes the wonder bread. Trolling for Waleye has been really good in the Bay this year, using Stick Baits such as Rapalas or Bombers or Crawler Harnesses in 16 to 25 feet of water.
Small Mouth Bass fishing has been really good now that the water is clearing up. The Bass are almost moving into the fall-pattern. There have been good numbers of Small Mouth Bass being caught at the end of the Break Wall and Long Island and the Rock Pile, and they are a good size. Baits being used are “Gold Color” Kast Masters.
The weeds are thick on the Inland Lakes making it a bit difficult to fish but reports have been good with Large Mouth, Pan Fish and an occasional Northern being caught with crawlers being the mainstay and a good mix of other bait. Always be aware of floating debris when fishing!
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.