Fishing Report

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

Fishing Report June 29, 2022

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.   River Rock Inn & Bait Shop reports lots of bass heading out of the spawning beds into waters around 4 feet to 6 feet.  Hitting on sucker minnows and plastics.  Walleye bite continues to be hot by brush point on the east end of the bay and short bridge on the west end of the bay in Ashland.  Perch can be found at either marina; Washburn Marina and Ashland Marina areas.  Northerns are a sure bet and as soon as we see more weed bed growth, the fish will be heading to the weeds.  Lake Trout are active by the flats, Long Island, and Madeline Island.  Reports of fish being caught early morning on the Pollen Dust in shallower waters near the island.   Inland lakes are yielding crappies and bluegills.  Warmer water temps will bring top water action soon!  We have a great Chequamegon Bay Fishing Brochure/Map which shows some of our shoreline fishing spots.

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! Anglers All reports: The water is clearing up. Right now, the water temp is in the low to mid 60’s. Fishing action is picking up on the Bay and on the Inlands. Trollers continue flat lining stick baits from Houghton Point to Long Island and out to the Apostle Islands and catching Lake Trout.  When trolling, continue looking for visible mud lines.

“Long day at work, so I thought I would run down and drop a line before heading home. Nice Sturgeon – Took me 20 minutes to pull him in”!

Ben Richmond, a local caught this big old Sturgeon on the Hot Pond Platform… You don’t even need a boat to have fun fishing in Ashland.  Order your free Chequamegon Bay or Inland Lake map today at visitashland.com

Check out the web cams of the bay

• Northern State Bank Live Cam – Marina Area
• River Rock Inn & Bait Shop Live Cam – Hot pond area.  Make sure you click the link once in the page.

DO I NEED A LICENSE?
Wisconsin residents and nonresidents who are 16 years or older need a valid 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 fishing license. Non-residents can easily purchase a license at DNR Go Wild web page. Make sure to check with your state’s emergency orders and travel restrictions. Under Gov. Evers’ Safer at Home order we encourage the public to fish within your local community

• Northern State Bank Live Cam – Marina Area
• River Rock Inn & Bait Shop Live Cam – Hot pond area.  Make sure you click the link once in the 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.

WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP MYSELF/FAMILY SAFE?

• Avoid crowded locations and set out with backup fishing locations in mind.
• Give other anglers space and maintain 6 feet between yourself and members outside of your household. Measure your fishing rod and use it as a gauge.
• Don’t travel in the same boat or vehicle as another angler unless they reside in your household.
• Wash and sanitize your hands especially after touching public surfaces such as handrails on boat launches or piers.
• Don’t share equipment with other anglers.
• If you are feeling sick, stay home.

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.”

Read about Roger LaPenter’s 2014 induction into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.

Learn more about the great fishing in Chequamegon Bay!

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)