Ashland Area Fishing Report
~ 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. Fishing has been good this past week with walleye, brown trout, and coho salmon being caught in the bay.
It has been a memorable autumn with the extended warm weather, especially after last year’s major snowstorm in early November. Water temperatures in Chequamegon Bay are still in the low 50s. And even out in the big lake, the water is still relatively warm with temps in the upper 40s, “which is highly unusual,” noted Carolyn Swartz, co-owner of Anglers All in Ashland.
There have been reports of some splake and steelhead showing up in the Sioux and Onion rivers area, she said.
“As expected, after our last rain event, the rivers loaded up with fish for a short period,” concurred Luke Kavajecz, Anglers All fishing guide.
“The cohos have been huge this year, by Lake Superior standards anyways,” he said, “and if you got in on that last push of fish, you would've seen some great ones.”
In the lake proper, trout and a few salmon are working the shorelines. “I've run into a pile of splake and some good browns up really tight to the shore in some places,” Luke said.
“It seems like most of the cohos are probably up the rivers and gone by now,” he added, “but there are a few out there yet.”
Zach of Crested Butte, Colo., caught this handsome splake on a recent stream fishing adventure with Anglers All fishing guide Luke Kavajecz. “Lots of splake around the shorelines,” commented Luke. “Great fun on a fly rod or light spinning tackle.” (Photo courtesy of Luke Kavajecz)
Carolyn reminds anglers that trout and salmon fishing closes Nov. 15 on the downstream section of Lake Superior tributaries that remained open after Sept. 30.
Smallmouth bass are moving into their wintering areas around Ashland and schooling up. Just last week there were still smallmouth being taken up along Brush Point and out toward Long Island.
In addition, there has been decent walleye activity along the Ashland shoreline with folks dragging stickbaits, mostly Rapalas, for those and using sucker minnows.
“It's been a good season with consistent fishing and some funky weather and wind,” Luke observed, “but all in all, another good year on the water.”
The next step is to gear up for ice fishing, Carolyn noted. Anglers All has some items in stock for hard-water season with more gear on the way so be sure to stop in.
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.
- The annual Ashland area Veterans Appreciation Dinner will be on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the AmericInn, 3009 E. Lake Shore Dr. (U.S. Hwy. 2). Social hour is set for 5 p.m. with the banquet to follow at 6 p.m. For more information, call 715/682-9636
- Also on Saturday, Nov. 14, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 201 E. Lake Shore Dr., will hold their annual Holiday Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more details, call 715/682-7620.
- Glidden’s annual Hunters’ Special Pork & Dumpling Dinner will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at the Glidden VFW, Post #7300, 118th E. 1st St., from 4-8pm. For additional information and fees, call 715/264-2191 or 715/264-2641.
- The Fall in Christmas Sale & Luncheon at the Ashland Enrichment Center (formerly the Senior Center), 400 Chapple Ave., will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come and enjoy a morning filled with fun shopping for wonderful Christmas items, raffle items, and baked goods made by your local seniors. Lunch will be available for a nominal fee. All proceeds will go towards the day-to-day operations of the Enrichment Center.