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Fishing Report

Fishing Brochure

Check out the Chequamegon Bay FISHING Brochure. It has everything from fish species, places to fish, tying knots lake depth and much more. Also the Ashland County Inland Lakes Fishing Guide has lake names, descriptions and fish species.  Stop by our office or order your brochure today! info@visitashland.com

Here are downloadable versions of the Fishing Brochures.  These are large files so it might take a minute.  Remember if you would like a hard copy e-mail info@visitashland.com

Ashland County Fishing Brochure

 

Report from River Rock Inn & Bait Shop 4/23/2024

Smelt run is still hanging on but tapering off. We should see a little more action with other fish. There are reports of nice Northerns being caught. No sign of sturgeon yet but they should be coming after the smelt run. Trolling is good and Salmon, Browns and Lake Trout are being seen.  Near shore fishing is good as long as there are no heavy winds. Good weather, with the  moisture and rain will make for a  good opener the first weekend in May. However, Lake Superior never closes.

Report from Anglers All 4/23/2024

Trout and Salmon fishing remain good as long as we have good weather. Trolling remains excellent with most fisherman using stick baits off boards. Good fishing along Bono Creek North and out into the islands. Inside the Bay on the Ashland shoreline there is good Walleye action, however 50 ft in any direction of the discharge pipe is a refuge area at the present time. There has also been good fishing in the Kakagon and Sand Cut Sloughs but be aware water levels are low. Take your time or you may find yourself bottoming out. Fishing is good for Northerns Walleyes and Small Mouth Bass.

Smelt Report for April 25, 2024
We have had frost the last few days, so not much happening here in Ashland with the smelt.  Today the temps area supposed to get up to 60, so maybe something tonight.  Reports of smelt being caught in Cornucopia the last few nights.  Please keep checking back for updated information.

Due to damage to the pier, Bayview Beach Pier is closed at this time for smelting.  However Bayview Beach is open to smelting, the city just asks that smelters clean up after themselves: fire rings, burned wood, and garbage.

Camping at Bayview Parking lot $20/night.   A collection tube and envelopes & a porta potty on site, along with the sign and policies. The Parks Staff and PD will be checking for payment tags.

Lake Superior Webcams

Looking for a Hunting Information?

Please call our local bait shops for the most current fishing details.

  • 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 from Lake Superior. 715-682-3232
  • Anglers All, located at 2803 E. Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Highway 2) in Ashland, is a full-service tackle and fly shop offering a huge selection of baits and tackle for year-round fishing. 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!.

DO I NEED A LICENSE?

Wisconsin residents and nonresidents who are 16 years or older need a valid 2022-2023 fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. You can easily purchase a fishing license on the DNR Go Wild Web page.

WHAT CAN I FISH?
All regulations and season dates still apply. Check the 2022-2023 Guide to Wisconsin Hook & Line Fishing Regs for specific information about where you plan to fish.    http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/hookline.html

CAN I FISH IN WISCONSIN IF I AM A NON-RESIDENT?
All anglers must hold a valid 2022-2023 fishing license. Non-residents can easily purchase a license at DNR Go Wild web page.

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.

More on fishing in the Chequamegon Bay region

Entertaining viewing:

Check out this great episode of “John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods” from Feb. 6 focusing on ice fishing near Ashland.  Josh Teigen of Josh Teigen’s Guide Service in Iron River took the amiable TV host out on Chequamegon Bay where Gillespie said he had one of his “most enjoyable ice fishing trips of the year.”

Don’t miss this episode of “Larry Smith Outdoors” as the Berlin, Wis., guide and outdoorsman teams up with Tommy Hicks of Ashland and Beyond the Catch Guide Service to tackle Chequamegon Bay. Trout are on the menu along with whitefish when Larry and Tommy head out on the ice in “one of the prettiest parts of the state.”

Highly recommended reading:

Check out this wonderful article by Andrew Ragas of NorthwoodsBass.com about the excellent smallmouth bass fishery right here in Chequamegon Bay!  Ragas spent a day out on the water with Ashland native Nate Baron of Up North Guide Service.

A very well-written story by Tom Hazelton about a day spent fly-fishing out on Chequamegon Bay with Luke Kavajecz of Anglers All.  Hazelton calls it “Unsalted.”

Another great article on bass fishing Chequamegon Bay saltwater-style, this one by Duluth News Tribune outdoors writer Sam Cook. Read all about “Barefootin’ the bay.”

Learn more about the great fishing in Chequamegon Bay!

Chicagoans Meredith and Claire had some good fun on Chequamegon Bay this week catching smallmouth and enjoying some beach time out at Long Island. “Hard to ignore swimming when the water is 75 degrees,” said their guide, Luke Kavajecz of Ashland’s Anglers All. “It was a fun day for sure!” (Photo courtesy of Luke Kavajecz)
Chicagoans Meredith and Claire had some good fun on Chequamegon Bay last July catching smallmouth and enjoying some beach time out at Long Island. “Hard to ignore swimming when the water is 75 degrees,” said their guide, Luke Kavajecz of Ashland’s Anglers All. “It was a fun day for sure!” (Photo courtesy of Luke Kavajecz)