Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, your go-to expert for all things fishing around Lake Superior, particularly in and around Duluth. As of January 31, 2025, here’s what you need to know to make the most of your fishing trip.
First off, let's talk about the weather. We've been experiencing some frigid temperatures lately, which has kept some anglers off the lakes, but for those who are brave enough to venture out, the rewards are well worth it. Today, expect clear skies with temperatures hovering around 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for ice fishing.
Sunrise is at about 7:30 AM, and sunset will be around 5:00 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the ice. There’s no tidal report to worry about on Lake Superior, as it’s a freshwater lake, but ice conditions are crucial. Be cautious, as ice conditions can vary and change rapidly, especially around access points like Bodin’s Resort, Sioux River, Onion River, Bayfield, and Red Cliff.
Now, let’s dive into the fish activity. Chequamegon Bay has been a hot spot recently. On the Ashland side, anglers are reporting excellent catches of yellow perch (9-12 inches), walleye (15-25 inches), northern pike (26-34 inches), splake (17-20 inches), 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. If you're fishing after dark, you might find success targeting walleye and burbot.
On the Washburn side of the Bay, the catches are just as impressive. Anglers are reporting a mixed bag of fish from areas like Bono Creek, Thompson Park, the Washburn Coal Dock, and Memorial Park. You can expect to catch splake (15-20 inches), coho salmon (14-16 inches), herring (15-19 inches), brown trout (16-24 inches), whitefish (17-20 inches), perch (9-12 inches), and the occasional northern pike (26-34 inches). Here, fishing in 25 feet or more of water with jigging spoons, jigging raps, lake shiners, or golden shiners has been the most successful.
For those venturing outside of Chequamegon Bay, areas like Bodin’s Resort and the Sioux River have also seen good fishing. Anglers are catching mixed bags of splake, coho salmon, herring, brown trout, whitefish, and perch. The most successful reports are coming from those fishing in 30-60 feet of water using jigging spoons, jigging raps, and lake shiners.
In terms of lures and bait, northern and walleye suckers or shiners are popular choices. For jigging, Rapala jigging raps, Acme Hyper rattles and Hyper glides, and Northland Puppet minnows have been working well. For crappies and panfish, Tungsten Skandia Diamond jigs along with K-Rips and T-Rips are recommended.
If you're looking for some hot spots, I highly recommend checking out Chequamegon Bay, particularly around the Ashland and Washburn sides. Another great spot is near Bodin’s Resort, where you can find a variety of fish species.
Remember to always use extreme caution when fishing on the ice, and make sure to follow all local regulations and guidelines to ensure the sustainability of our fish populations.
Good luck out there, and tight lines
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