Fishing Report

Check out the Chequamegon Bay FISHING Brochure. It has everything from fish species, places to fish, tying knots and much more. Stop by our office or order your brochure today! info@visitashland.com

Fishing Report January 21, 2020

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: We have had reports that the Ashland side of the Bay has more than a foot of ice. There are anglers using ATV’s, snowmobiles and walking out. We encourage you to always bring your ice bar and have flotation with you for safety. Be cautious and check your way. The ice off of second landing has produced some nice catches of Perch, Walleys, Northerns, Whitefish and Trout. The water clarity continues to be a bit cloudy right now but it is getting better. The Washburn side of the Bay has approximately 10-12 inches of ice, however, there are more pressure cracks to deal with. Brown Trout, Whitefish and Splake are being caught on the Washburn side. As of this report; Bayfield, Onion River, and Red Cliff has  very, very thin ice of only 2-3 inches. We stress to bring your ice bar and check your way at all times and call ahead for current information.

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, local meat sticks, and microbrews, and much more. Call them at 715/682-3232 for the most current fishing report. Scott Bretting from River Rock Inn & Bait Shop reports: We’ve had cold nights and the ice has firmed up! We have received fresh snow so be cautious. The water clarity is better on the outer side of Bayfield toward Houghton Point where the ice gets very thin! The snow covers up the outer edge where the ice is thin so use EXTREME caution with the change of ice in that area. Call ahead or stop in and we will keep you updated on ice conditions. Always us caution and think safety! Anglers are catching a mixed bag of fish including Browns, Splake and Walleyes. There was a 33 inch Walleye caught which was a real keeper and wall hanger! For a picture of this 33 inch fish go to River Rock Facebook page. There is 10-12  inches of ice in Ashland and 8-plus inches in front of Washburn and then it tapers off east of the Washburn coal dock toward Houghton Point. Be ware of a pressure crack in that area and use caution when crossing it. There is no safe ice in the islands yet and no ice beyond Houghton Point yet. There are people taking out machines in front of Washburn and at second landing. We stress using caution! There are anglers getting out on the Inland Lakes where the slush is starting to firm up with the colder temps. This coming weekend is the Wisconsin Youth Anglers Ice Fishing contest in Iron River sponsored by River Rock Inn and Bait Shop and Bait Rigs. Call River Rock for more information.

We want you safe when you are out exploring Chequamegon Bay in the winter.  Always check with a local Bait Shop, Anglers All or River Rock Inn and Bait shop for the best accesses onto the lake.  Please review this Ice Safety Brochure.

• 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.

Smelt information 2019

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.

• Wisconsin residents and non-residents 16 years of age and up will need a fishing license to fish any waters in the state. An annual license costs $20.  Go online at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations/hookline.html for more details.
• Residents born before Jan. 1, 1927, don’t need a fishing license. They do need to carry proof of their age when fishing, however.
• State residents who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty are entitled to obtain a free license when they go on furlough or leave.

New this year

• Motor trolling is now legal on all inland waters with one hook, bait, or lure and – depending on location – with up to three hooks, baits, or lures, according to the DNR website.
• Most inland lakes and rivers within the Ceded Territory (which includes Ashland County) have a daily bag limit of 3 walleye.

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)