Chequamegon Bay

[Curly]

I heard the ice is out of the bay. Has anybody been out yet?

[Northlander]

The ice is out. Guys are wading for eyes and catching Lakers, Browns and splake off the lighthouse breakwall. Im going down on Tues.

[Curly]

Do you know if people are out trolling for coho and what the report is?

[Northlander]

I havent heard about any trollers but Im sure you can get some. They are getting a few off the lighthouse.

[Guest]

When do you think the smallies will move up? Never fished Cheq in spring.

[Smeds]

Was out on Chequamegon this weekend. Trolling was just O.K., with the NE & E winds we had it was pretty lumpy. Picked up 7 Coho, a Laker, and a Brown all in the Long Island area. Should get better as we progress. Moved up into the cut to soak some smelt for Nort's, nothing happening there either yet. Temp in the cut was 50 degrees, a warmup there should help as well. Caught 4 smallies trolling stick baits inside on Long Island, and two more bouncing a light jig w/grub in the cut. They're not blowing up yet, but they sure put up a hell of a fight even with the cold temps.

[Northlander]

wgsma you know the spots. Like Can it be luck said mid june it heats up. Walleyes are going now by the hot pond.

[Guest]

Very cool you guys...thanks. You know I love to ice fish Cheq now it's time to use the boat.

[can it be luck?]

wgmsa, late May into mid June is when I fish the bay. The fishing WILL BE good at that time rest assured. That's why I pick those dates. I'm sure the fishing can be good as of now, but as spring progresses it will definitly improve. I always fish the same areas that time of year. Northeast and east of 2nd landing which is located a few miles east of Ashland off of hwy 2 just past the gas station. From the landing I head E/NE(to the right) to the bay which is a couple miles from the launch, a river enters the bay as well. The bay is only 2-6 fow and contains the right components for pre/spawn/post spawning bass. Wood, rubble, sand, slight current, and "nursery type" areas for the fry are all found here. When you catch one...you'll catch more, guaranteed.
I would imagine the areas around Ashland would be very good too. The wood, docks, rocks, and numerous other types of structure abound around Ashland's shoreline. I guess I never had to find a different or better spot than where I fish now, thus may lack of "actual" experience in that area. However I would bet the fishing would be great anywhere you can find the right ingredients. Didn't you fish the docks around Ashland this winter? Weren't the Fishfever videos shot there?

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[rascalP]

Any reports? Water temps?
Thanks
rascal

[can it be luck?]

Yep, bass are starting to hit on the bay. N to NE of second landing. There's a bay there...GOOD fishing to be had! Most guys like to fish artificials, which are good, but if you want LOTS of fish use leeches and crawlers. Barbless and set the hook quick though!

[This message has been edited by can it be luck? (edited 05-20-2004).]

[rascalP]

Can it be Luck,

I'll be up there 6/7 - 6/10. Any info on water temps and/or turbity would be appreciated. We've been there before around the same time, but this year it seems like water-temps are coming up a little slower and pushing things back a bit. What do you think? If you see 3 guys in a maroon Alumacraft-75hp merc-MN registration, pull up and say Hi.

rascal

[can it be luck?]

Rascal,
I haven't made it out to the bay yet this year. My brother went last weekend and he said the water temps were in the upper 50's to lower 60's depending on where you were. The area mentioned in my previous post was fished.....And produced! Like clockwork, the fish were there. Water levels and quality were normal from what he told me. Now is the time to enjoy the fine fishing to be had in Cheq Bay.
Good luck! Can it be luck?

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[rascalP]

Thanks Luck,

Looking forward to getting up there again. Some great smallie fishing to be sure. Was your brother using plastics, hard-baits or live? I've heard husky jerks are the ticket in May. We've done best on plastics in the past, in June. When are you going to be fishing the Bay? I'll post when we get back. Hear's to some stable weather ahead.

rascal

[can it be luck?]

RascalP,
I don't know if I will be able to make it this year quite honestly. I'm planning for Erie around the 12th of June or so, Memorial weekend is usually my "for sure" weekend on the bay. With the weather we had this past weekend.........Well, you know "the rest of the story".
Leeches and crawlers, plain hook, split shot, and bobber is what he used. It's my bait of choice as well. Artificals can and do work, but I'll guarantee you'll catch them at least 3-1 on bait..... atleast. 2-4' of water and wood make for tough fishing if using many artificials in this area. N, NE of 2nd landing(right from launch) and head to the small bay. As I said, when you find one....You'll find many!
Who knows? Maybe I willl be able to sneak in a little bass fishing this year. After all, traditions shouldn't be broken.....Should they?

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[BUSHWAC]

rascalP- make sure you post and let me know how you do. I plan on going up on the 12th for a couple days. I have never fished up there in the summer. I made one ice trip last year.

Can it be Luck- a couple questions if you could help me out! Are you mainly fishing shoreline structure or vegetation on the flats? Are there any channels edges in that bay? What kind of water clarity is there? Are they known to hit top water? Is it strictly Smallies over in the bay or will you run across an occasional Walleye or other fish over there? I am thinking of doing a little trolling and was wondering if I had to go out to the big water to run across a trout or salmon of some type? What's the 2nd landing like, is it sheltered from the wind at all? Any information would be appreciated, thanks much!!

[rascalP]

BUSHWAC,
2nd landing is likely to be one of the best landings you'll find. 2 concrete ramps. Lot's of parking. Very protected. You'll know what I mean when you see it.

Walleyes are caught in the Kakagon Slough area, but I think more people fish for them down at the head of the bay where Fish Creek comes in or around the power plant(hot ponds).

The smallies will be near wood. There's lot's of old timber scattered underwater around spots near shore. Look for some deeper cut's (4-6ft) in shallower water. Focus on the Kakagon, Oak Point, and Sand Cut areas. Also Anglers All in Ashland can be a good source of info and has any needed tackle.
rascal

[can it be luck?]

BUSHWAC,
Rascal covered it fairly well. I fish only one area for bass. From 2nd landing head to the right towards the bay with the river coming in(1-2 miles), not sure of the name of the river. As soon as you enter the bay start fishing the south shoreline and around to the point on the northern end of the bay. I love the S shoreline. A mix of sand, gravel, rubble, wood make for ideal spawning habitat. Water depth here is 2-4'. What's sort of weird is at times the water levels rise and fall, almost like a tide. At first I thought I was imagining this, but it does. On the NE end of this bay are a few shacks, the shoreline area is pretty good there as well. For the most part this bay has a max depth of 6' at the most from what I seen. The fish are in spawn mode so find the right bottom composite and you'll catch many bass.
Good luck fellas! And give a report when you get back!

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[This message has been edited by can it be luck? (edited 06-05-2004).]

[BUSHWAC]

Thanks for the information! I am looking forward to fishing the bay this up coming weekend. I'll certainly let you know how we do when I get back, Thanks again!!

[rascalP]

Just got back from the Bay. What can I say-- It was tough. We got fish but not huge numbers. But we did get some real big fish. Monday, I got 2 20" smallies before the wind blew us off. And each of my buddies got a 20". Pretty tough to break that barrier.

Monday, a south wind blew up the bay. We were fishing in the morning with a gentle (5-10mph) breeze out of the north and in less than 5 minutes the wind started howling out of the south. Fasted wind switch I've ever experienced. It was a white-knuckle ride back to the launch, to say the least. Word of warning: Pay attention to the weather. Know what's going on around you, and listen to the radio. NOAA radio is best. When in doubt, Get Off.

The water was still churned up Tues., and they had stiff N.E. winds on Wed. We went inland and fished some smaller lakes on Mon. and Wed. and had great success on Mon. on a lake in the Cable area. Point two: Have a plan B to keep fishin'.

rascal

[BUSHWAC]

rascalp- Thanks for the information. Glad you got into some fish. With the winds I guess plan B should always be an option. Yes, I am a little concerned about the cloudy water and it's supposed to be breezy on Saturday. Any particular patterns that did well Monday morning?

[rascalP]

BUSHWAC,

Plastics worked the best overall. Soft jerk-baits (flukes,jerk-shad,sluggo's),tubes,senko's (or imatations), and french-fries in the clearer water. Spinner-baits in cloudy water. If the wind is blowing, consider using a carolina rig with the plastics. You might get a few more snags,but the line stays tighter and with a good touch you can move the sinker through the nastiest of snags. Choppy, murky water calls for a spinner. If it get's calm, try a top-water.

rascal

[BUSHWAC]

rascalp, Can it Be Luck- Missed out on your last post before I took off. We did manage to do best on a small plastic craw colored jig tip with a small Gulp crawfish and also a white spinner bait. conditions permitting we try some top water and cranks but they didn't do very well. The water was pretty murky when we started fishing by Oak point early Saturday morning but we did catch fish. We moved to the back side of Oak to Sand Cut when the wind started to blow. There was a pretty good wind all day Saturday. Burned through a fair amount of 12 Volt. We certainly had to work for our fish but managed to catch a fair amount of nice sized fish. Sunday the water was still pretty murky and we got a couple of nice fish early and when it got a little tougher we went searching for some new areas and found an isolated rock pile that held a fair number of fish and our two largest fish of the weekend, a 20 and one just shy of that. the vast majority of our decent fish averaged about 18". It sure was fun going to new place, fishing hard and producing some nice fish! I can sure tell that place must have it's moments! conditions being what they were I was very satisfied with the weekend!! Thanks for the information and enjoy the fishing!!

[rascalP]

BUSHWAC,

Pretty pressured water, eh. I tell my buddies it's like jumping on a merry-go-round, and you hope you got a better presentation than the last guy -- and that's mid-week. Still, a great fishery, and the avg. size rock's.

I would like to figure out the fall pattern. More offshore, I think, on deeper rock piles and the breakwall. Fish should be heavier.

BUT, from everybody I've talked to, guides included, it's tough to break that 20" mark. I asked one guide who's fished it quite a bit, how many 22" fish have come into his boat and he said "none". I think I have to go to Mille Lacs for a chance at a true "horse".

Smallies are like muskies. It's a disease that get's in your blood and you chase them everywhere.

rascal

[CJ]

Heys Guys ,
Just got back and it wasn't pretty. Caught 11 fish yesterday(6-17) but they were all nice fish. Got blown off today and tomorrow. Wind was 15-25 blowing right into the sloughs when we left.Water temps ranged from 65-70. Water was dirty and most fish were caught on a inline spinner. Cant wait to go back this fall.
CJ