Ashland Smelt Report 5-10-2013
The Smelt have just started to run in the Chequamegon Bay. Smelters reported the run started on Wednesday night (May 8th) and they pulled in a lot of smelt. There is still some ice that is in and out on the shoreline so Smelters need to find open water on the shorelines at the beaches to Smelt. The bottom line is...you may have to fight the ice to get the seine in the water. There are no predictions on how long of a Smelt Run it will be this year as it’s all up to Mother Nature.
Good luck Smelters!!!
Fishing Guide Roger LaPenter from Anglers All, (715)-682-5754, http://www.anglersallwisconsin.
The Ice is moving in and out by the Sioux and Onion Rivers on the Big Lake. There is still ice on the shoreline that needs to move out. Stream Fishing has been reasonably good for Steelheads but always check on water conditions before making a trip. There have been a few boats going in at Bodins over by Washburn and fishing the Sioux and Onion. Only smaller boats can use this boat landing.
The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce reports:
Call the local bait shops for any fishing news! (Anglers All, 715-682-5754 or River Rock, 715-682-3232). The Ashland Chamber will have a "Smelt Hotline" on 800-284-9484 or check out our website at www.visitashland.com.
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What is “Smelt Season” All About
The "Smelt Run" in the Chequamegon Bay usually starts around the 3rd week in April shortly after the ice goes out of the Bay. This year has been a little delayed due to the snow storms and cold weather that hit the Ashland Area in late April and early May. The smelt usually run late at night and are brought in with a seine net or dip net. The seine net is used on the shores of the big lake and some smelters use a dip net in the creeks and drop nets off the docks. Smelting is always a fun time with the smell of the clean air of Chequamegon Bay and the awesome site of the many campfires along the shoreline. Smelters light campfires and enjoy the outdoors as they wait for the run to come in heavy. At times the smelt may start running at 9:00 p.m. or they may be running at Midnight or later. They are unpredictable little fish (with the average size approximately 4 to 5 inches in length and even longer) that only answer to Mother Nature. Smelt were planted in the lake many decades ago and are not a native fish in Lake Superior. Smelt season usually lasts 12 to 14 days. There is an old tradition that you bite the head off the first smelt brought in….of course you don’t actually eat the head but you would be the brave smelter for sticking with tradition. For more information on smelt season in the Ashland Area, including the regulations and licensing for smelting call us at the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-284-9484. We will have a smelt hot line set up during the month of April.
*note* The Bait shops will let us know when they are starting to peak, which is usually half way into the smelt season. We will pass that info. on to the callers as soon as we hear! Check out our website for a complete listing of lodging and dining in Ashland. Fish...Shop...Dine...Stay in Ashland, Lake Superior's Hometown, the Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin!