Lake Superior Outdoor Fishing Report – Jan. 22, 2025
Fishing Wisconsin
Chequamegon Bay
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 try it, 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, make sure you wear your floatation suit and have your ice picks readily available. Wear ice creepers/cleats as there is no snow currently on the ice.
Fishing Report
Fishing within Chequamegon Bay has been excellent this winter. On the Ashland side, many anglers are reporting good catches of yellow perch (9-12 inches) along with a few walleye (15-25 inches), northern pike (26-34 inches), splake (17-20 inches) and the occasional whitefish (17-20 inches) and white perch (8-12 inches). Most anglers are fishing in 15-25 feet of water using spoons, jigging raps, lake shiners, sucker minnows or golden shiners. Anglers fishing after dark are reporting success targeting walleye and burbot.
On the Washburn side of the Bay, anglers are reporting catching a mixed bag of fish 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), and herring (15-19 inches) are being reported, along with a few brown trout (16-24 inches), whitefish (17-20 inches), perch (9-12 inches) and the occasional northern pike (26-34 inches). Anglers are targeting many water depths, with the most successful reports coming from those fishing in 25 feet or more of water using jigging spoons, jigging raps, lake shiners or golden shiners.
Outside of Chequamegon Bay, anglers are now fishing from various access points including Bodin’s Resort, Sioux River, Onion River, Bayfield and Red Cliff. Anglers are advised to use extreme caution when fishing from any of these areas as ice conditions vary and can change rapidly. Most anglers are reporting good fishing with mixed bags of splake (15-20 inches), coho salmon (14-16 inches), herring (15-19 inches), brown trout (16-24 inches), whitefish (17-20 inches) and perch (9-12 inches). Anglers are targeting many water depths, with the most successful reports coming from those fishing in 30-60 feet of water using jigging spoons, jigging raps and lake shiners. No anglers have reported being able to “bob” for lake trout, but continued cold weather could allow anglers to reach deeper water in the coming days or weeks.
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.