Lake Superior Outdoor Fishing Report – April 18, 2024
Fishing Wisconsin
Trolling for trout and salmon continues to be very good. Limits of Coho and brown trout are being reported in our creel surveys. Long Island and fishing the shorelines of the inner islands (of the Apostle Islands) have reportedly been productive. Coho average size has been 15-17 inches and browns average size is 18-20 inches, with several fish over 28 inches reported. Anglers are having the best success trolling high in the water column using stick baits and/or shallow-running crankbaits behind planer boards. A few splake, lake trout and rainbow trout are also being reported.
Smelt activity along the Ashland shoreline has been hit or miss, according to reports. There have been several good nights with a few unproductive nights (mainly due to stormy weather) mixed in.
Anglers are starting to target and catch a few walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike along the Ashland and Kakagon Sloughs shoreline.
Shore anglers, those wading out, report catching walleyes along the Ashland shoreline. Casting stick baits during low light conditions, such as evening or night, has been productive, per reports.
ICE SAFETY
There is no such thing as safe ice. You cannot judge the strength of ice by one factor like its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether the ice is covered with snow. Ice seldom freezes uniformly and can vary significantly in different areas of the same body of water. 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 daily and often have the most up-to-date information. Check the ice often if you’re heading out onto a frozen lake for the first time.
Before venturing onto the ice, remember these safety tips:
- Carry a charged cell phone and tell people where you are going and when you’ll return home.
- Wear proper clothing and equipment, including a life jacket or a float coat, to help you stay afloat and to help maintain body heat.
- Wear ice creepers attached to boots to prevent slipping on clear ice.
- Carry a spud bar to check the ice while walking to new areas.
- Carry a few spikes and a length of light rope in an easily accessible pocket to help pull yourself – or others – out of the ice.
- If you fall in, remain as calm as possible.
- While attempting to get out of the water, call for help.
- Anyone who attempts to rescue you should use a rope or something similar to avoid falling through themselves.
- Do not travel in unfamiliar areas or at night.
- Have a plan in place noting where you will be and when you plan to return.
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.