Lake Superior Outdoor Fishing Report – Feb. 4, 2025
Fishing Wisconsin
Chequamegon Bay/Apostle Islands Fishing Report
Ice Conditions
The DNR does not monitor ice conditions, but they are monitored locally. Local fishing clubs, outfitters and bait shops are the best sources for local current ice conditions.
If you decide to go out on the ice, use EXTREME caution; DO NOT assume ice is safe. Ice thickness and conditions will vary considerably. Check with your ice spud bar constantly as you go, and make sure you wear your floatation suit and have your ice picks readily available. Wear ice creepers/cleats when there isn't snow on the ice.
Fishing Report
Fishing within the Chequamegon Bay continues to be excellent. On the Ashland side, some very nice mixed bags are being brought in. Anglers are reporting good numbers of yellow perch (9-12 inches), coho salmon (14-16 inches) and herring (15-19 inches), along with a mix of a few walleye (15-25 inches), splake (17-20 inches), northern pike (26-34 inches), brown trout (16-24 inches), lake whitefish (17-22 inches) and white perch (8-12 inches). Most anglers are fishing in 20-30 feet using spoons, jigging raps and lake shiners, sucker minnows or golden shiners. Anglers fishing after dark are reportedly doing well for walleye and burbot. Most anglers are accessing the bay with vehicles from Kreher Park and Second Landing, but anglers are still urged to use extreme caution and check ice conditions as they go.
On the Washburn side of the bay, anglers are reporting catching nice mixed bags out from Bono Creek, Thompson Park, the Washburn Coal Dock and Memorial Park. A good number of splake (15-20 inches), coho salmon (14-16 inches), herring (15-19 inches) and lake whitefish (17-22 inches) are being reported, along with a few brown trout (16-24 inches), yellow perch (9-12 inches) and the occasional northern pike (26-34 inches). Anglers are targeting many water depths, with the most successful anglers fishing in 25+ feet of water using jigging spoons, jigging raps and lake shiners or golden shiners. Most anglers access the lake with snowmobiles or ATVs, but several large ice heaves can make travel with machines difficult, and anglers are advised to be cautious and check the ice carefully when crossing any cracks or heaves.
Outside of Chequamegon Bay, anglers are accessing the lake from a variety of access points, including Bodin’s Resort, Sioux River, Onion River, Bayfield and Red Cliff. Anglers are advised to use caution when venturing out on the ice from any of these areas, as ice conditions vary quite a bit and can change rapidly. Most anglers are reporting good fishing with mixed bags of lake whitefish (17-20 inches), splake (15-20 inches), coho salmon (14-16 inches), herring (15-19 inches), brown trout (16-24 inches) and yellow perch (9-12 inches). Anglers are targeting many water depths, with the most successful anglers fishing in 30-60 feet of water using jigging spoons, jigging raps and lake shiners. A few anglers have begun to venture out to deeper water to target lake trout, but anglers are urged to use extreme caution as ice thickness can change quickly, and many cracks, heaves and areas of pack ice can make traveling into the islands extremely dangerous.
Ice Safety
- There is no such thing as safe ice. You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor, such as its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether the ice is covered with snow. Ice seldom freezes uniformly and can vary greatly in different areas of the same water body. It is important to know before you go. The DNR does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice. Local bait shops, fishing clubs, and resorts serve winter anglers every day and often have the most up-to-date information. If you’re heading out onto a frozen lake for the first time, check the ice yourself and check it often.
- Ice Safety Tips:
- Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof case, a life jacket and a length of rope.
- Dress warm in layers.
- Don’t go alone. Head out with friends or family. Carry a cell phone with you, and make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.
- Know before you go. Don’t travel in areas you are not familiar with, and don’t travel at night during reduced visibility.
- Avoid inlets, outlets or narrows that may have current that can cause thin ice.
REMINDER - Anglers must carry a paper copy of their license/stamps while fishing on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Wisconsin/Michigan, Wisconsin/Minnesota and Wisconsin/Iowa boundary waters.