Chequamegon bay

[Walleye-1]

I am going to Ashland area weekend of May 12. I am wondering what the scoop is with trolling around Ashland. I fish Lake Michigan quite frequently and do quite well trolling shallow during this time of year. Does the same strategy work on Lake Superior? Thanks in advance.

[RickTK]

What are you fishing for ?

[walleye-1]

Well, I would like to fish for trout/salmon and for walleye. I am wondeering what the best techniques for each is in the bay or if it is possible to catch a mixed bag while trolling. I have heard that fishing the power plant is effective pitching jigs. I would appriciate any info. Thanks.

[RickTK]

It's been a while since I keyed on salmon and trout in the bay and when I did, I simply dragged a little cleo behind the boat but that was a while ago. A mixed bag is possible. The salmon and trout don't run as large as Lake Mich. and the steelhead aren't as plentiful as they once were. Trying to get local info about walleyes is pretty tough, the locals are secretive with info but the area around the powerplant is a good place to start. I'd run planer boards and anything that looks like a shiner or smelt;spoons,rapalas,thundersticks, flys/dodgers. I used to catch a fair amount salmon and trout near the surface just off the ore dock. I've picked up a couple of steelhead and a lake trout while walleye fishing the past couple of years. There's alot of water to cover but if you don't give up, you can generally catch something on the bay. GOOD LUCK!

[kc]

I was up there two weeks ago. The water temp was about 35 but the cohos were very active. Boated ten in about 4 hours--all on stick baits. I personally like Thundersticks, but I caught some on Raps as well. The day I was there orange and green were hot but that seems to change every time out. Listen to the vhf to find out what's hot that day. I fished from Houghton Pt to the Onion. Lots of boats and lots of fish being caught. Hope this helps.

[MDJ]

IF YOU DO GO UP IN MAY DON'T FORGET TO TRY THE FANTASTIC SMALLIE FISHING ,,IT'S ALL CATCH AND RELEASE,,,GO UP INTO THE SHALLOWS ON THE EAST SHORE IN FRONT OF THE BAD RIVER,,,DRIFT USING BOBBERS AND DRAGGING LEACHES OR MINNOWS 3-4FT DOWN
,,YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MAY HIT ,,WALLEYE , SMALLIES , NORTHERN,,,PEARCH ...THIS BAY HAS IT ALL...I HAVE GONE UP THE LAST 3 YEARS THE LAST WEKEND IN MAY ,,,WHAT A BLAST AND YES THE POWER PLANT CAN BE WALLEYE CENTRAL,,AFTER DARK,,,
ALSO IF THE WEATHER GETS GOOFY GO OVER TO SUPERIOR AND FISH THE ST. LOUIS RIVER BELOW HYW 23
OR IF YOU GET UP AFTER THE 19TH FISH ABOVE ,,THIS IS TRUELLY WALLEYE CENTRAL ..2 FISH LIMIT BUT YOU CAN CATCH 20 -30 PER DAY ALL DAY,,ORANGE(FIRETIGER) SHADRAPS ARE THE BEST BAIT ..YOU CAN USE WIS. OR MINN LIC, FOR THIS AREA AS IT IS BOUNDRY WATER...GOOD LUCK ,,I WON'T BE UP THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING A WEEK ON LITTLE BAY DE NOC IN STED....GO GET EM

[Walleye-1]

Thanks for the information. Can anyone give me a lead on a good bait shop?

[duluthian]

Talk to Carolyn at Anglers All

[Duluthian]

I'm sorry , Anglers All is in Ashland

[RickTK]

I prefer Harbor Motel and Bait on HWY 2. The bait store is in an old gas station. The guy that owns it is pretty nice and I think he'll give you better information.

[BigJ]

I much prefer Harbor Bait over Anglers All. I don't have much good to say about Anglers All, so I won't say it. Harbor Bait is always willing to help you out.

[RickTK]

BigJ agreed, we are probably on the same page about AA. I've flat out been treated rudely by them so I no longer stop there. Fortuneatly I know the bay fairly well. Eventually I find fish on my own. For those of you new to the area,just make sure you're getting reliable information.

[Crash]

I agree that nobody's gonna get any usefull service or information out of A.A. Harbor bait is usually very helpfull though. The walley have been hitting well, up to 30 a day with some nice post spawn females. Good luck!

[Cal (Savage, MN)]

Ditto on Anlger's All. Roger is a good guy, but Carolyn....

[seahorsemn]

There is a wonderful shop just before you get into Washburn called Outdoor Allure, fully equipped... the owners also do chartering. An extremely nice, helpful couple.

[RickTK]

Outdoor Allure owners... Northland College grads...good people. Roger - Not good, thinks all of the fish in the bay are his.