Depth?

[Will]

I'm coming up to cheq bay in 2-3 weeks. Can anyone tell me if there's certain depths to look for? We would like to fish for a mixed bag of trout/spake. We're not lookin for lakers, we're not confident enough to venture out to the deep stuff this year. We are coming from cornucopia, so we will be getting on the bay from that side.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Will

[Jim Hudson]

Most shallow water trout are going to be in 10 to 30 FOW, along the shorelines.. Sometimes just off the breaks too, in 40 to 50 FOW.. But, I would concentrait on the 10 to 30 for the best luck..

[magic_minnow]

Also coming up in 2 weeks. Jim: Do you think there will be enough ice for small cars to drive on? Looking forward to your sleeper!

[Will]

Jim,

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I'll see ya on the ice

Will

[maxpower117]

Jim or anyone else that can help, I've never been to the area but would love to get up there for some lakers. What are my best options if I don't have a wheeler or snowmobile? I'd have no problem walking with light gear up to 2 miles or more.

Thanks,

Matt

[montowibo]

Matt,

You can walk out of Bayfield and within 1 mile you can get to laker waters on foot, but I personally wouldn't make a special laker trip right now. Jim is out and about on a daily basis and would know best on the current conditions and whats biting. Watch/read his and other's reports on here and on lakelink, they usually key in on whats most important and that is safety.

It's sketchy out there and for someone new wanting to pursue lakers, I would recommend hitting up snowbank or burntside instead of superior at least for this weekend and possibly next.

[maxpower117]

Thanks for the info. I've really been considering b-side this winter. I just want to keep the option open to hit the big water if I can. I really don't have any plans to head anywhere until I see some good reports. I've been keeping an eye on his reports. I really just want to know if there is some good laker fishing within walking distance, or if I should try to get a hold of some transportation.

I actually made my maiden voyage on superior last winter in Duluth the one weekend that the ice was around. I know what you mean when you talk about safety. Pretty spooky out there. In the 2 hours I fished I picked up 2 lakers about 30" each and missed one other. What a rush!

[montowibo]

@ Max,

The North Shore can be fantastic when there's ice. Unfortunately this year there may not be any. Last season I went out of Two Harbors near one of the large shipping docks and was amazed at the coho and herring action. It kind of reminded me of Chequamegon Bay on it's better days.

I wonder how Nipogon or Rossport areas are for lakers/coasters? My father hammers them in the summer up there, but through the ice is an unknown.

I too am waiting for some slam dunk reports from Jim and company as well as sound ice reports before I venture back to the Washburn/Bayfield/Apostles.