First Ice - Chequamegon Bay

[Jim Hudson]

Great to get on the ice this year before the New Year. Last year was a killer waiting and waiting for the ice to finally lock in. Usually, we are on the ice ice by the 9th of December, give or take a few days. So a little later this year then the norm, but, a little earlier than last year!

And the little wait we did have was worth it, as the fishing the past few days has been great for us. These first few days it has been a group of us friends heading out and checking ice conditions and then fishing different places around the bay.

But, first, lets talk ice conditions. Most of the bay does have ice, but, not all of it has safe ice. So, safety, as usual, is the biggest concern. But, the line of ice that starts just south of Bono Creek and extends to the Lighthouse of the Ashland Breakwall and then over to Oak Point on the eastern side of the bay is the ice we have been on. Where right now, we are finding an average of 5 inches. Always, there are thinner spots and thicker spots, but, this is average. Also, the ice right in and around Ashland has quite a few cracks throughout it, due to N winds that rolled waves under it before most of the bay was iced over. So, EXTREME caution is needed. I still recommend walking out and taking all necessary safety precautions.

Fishing wise, we found a great Trout bite right off the get-go. Browns have been extremely active along with a few Steelhead. Both jigging and set-lines have been working. For spoons = smaller (1/8 to 1/4 ouncers) Buckshots, Pimples, Macho Minnows and similar spoons have been the best with Golds, Greens, Silvers and Oranges being the best colors. Jig 3 to 5 feet off bottom and keep a close eye on fast moving targets, and either watch them gobble it up quickly or make them by reeling away quickly. Sometimes, you have to reel up 5 to 10 feet before the commit. Set lines have been simple Beaver Dam tip-ups set with 8lb Fluoro leaders and a small treble or single hook with a lively Lake or Medium Golden Shiner. Also, we have been tipping our spoons with Lake Shiner heads.

In front of Ashland, mixed reports of Pike, SmallMouth, Perch, Trout, Salmon and some Smelt are the norm right now. Fishing right in the shipping channel or off the channel leading away from the Ore Dock to the mud flat running towards the Lighthouse. Same type of rigs.

Off Second Landing, mixed reports of Perch action. Some doing good and some bad. The usual. 10 to 12 FOW seems to be the areas that most perch are running around in, along with some nice pike following them.

As usual, I will try my darndest to keep everyone up to date on whats happening here on the Bay and then into the Islands.

[B-man715]

Great to see Jim!

Got some happy clients there

[Chad Peterson]

Nice report Jim.

[PurpleFloyd]

Awesome. Really hope to be able to get up there this winter.

[Jim Hudson]

Thanks everyone. Fishing was good. Back at it again tomorrow through the weekend!