Chequamegon Bay & Hayward, Wisconsin Ice Fishing Report 12-29-14
It’s crazy to think that this is our last fishing report for 2014. Man how time flies! We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas spent with friends and family. Hopefully Santa put a few new lures in your stocking as well… Our crew continues to get after it on the ice, and it’s safe to say we’re full steam ahead. Aron Kastern and his wife Lacey had a chance to do a little more scouting on Chequamegon Bay around mid week, and Aron reports that the perch bite continues to be good with plenty of 10″ – 11″ fish in and along weeds in 15′ of water. Jigging spoons with waxies and crappie minnows continue to produce fish. Don’t forget to set out a tip up or two rigged with a shiner or sucker minnow to catch that pike, walleye, or trout that wanders through looking for a meal. Wherever there’s perch, big fish aren’t far behind… As for ice conditions, weather continued to be warm throughout the week, but cooled down over the weekend. Nothing much changed since our last report
with plenty of fishable ice on the Ashland side of the bay and unsafe conditions continuing northeast of Washburn. However, a cold snap has arrived. With single digit temperatures predicted over the next several days, we’ll be making ice again. I’d suspect we’ll have some news from the Washburn side on our next report. Minimal snow cover continues to make for smooth foot and ATV travel. Now, I’m just wondering when Aron and Lacey are sending the invite to the fish fry?!
Meanwhile, Josh Teigen has been getting after it on the inland lakes in a big way. The walleye bite continues to be strong with plenty of eater size fish and a few bruisers mixed in. With some good pike action during the mid day hours as well, the inland bite is definitely happening. Josh had a mid week trip with his local pals Tony, John, and Vana. They iced some very nice walleyes up to 28″ during an evening bite over weeds in 12′ – 22′ of water on tip ups rigged
with shiners and suckers. As of mid week, Josh reported sloppy ice conditions and warned to stay away from shorelines and current areas with ATV’s. Great job by Josh and the gang. Even Top Shelf Tony looks good holding up that eye!
After all of the Christmas festivities, it was time for Josh to get back to work. He spent Saturday with Adam, Kristin, Sydney, and Dagan from Milwaukee, WI for a full day trip. They caught a bunch of nice pike up to 32″ on tip ups with shiners as well as jigging spoons in 10′ – 15′ of water over weeds. Toward the end of their trip, the walleyes turned on, and they put some nice fish on the ice up to 27″ on tip ups with suckers in 16′ – 25′ of water. Deep weeds continue to be the structure to key on. What a nice looking bunch enjoying a great day on the ice. The smiles say it all!!!
Josh spent Sunday with Delmar, Tamara, Andrew, and Rebecca from Wausau, WI for a half day trip. Again, the pike were cooperative with plenty of fish being caught up to 27″ along with a few bass up to 15″ on tip ups with suckers. There was also a good bluegill bite happening with a pile of fish up 
to 8″ caught on bright tungsten jigs. All of the fish were holding in 14′ – 16′ of water over weeds. Lots of action with lots of fish. Exactly what we like! Ice conditions on the inland lakes will start to firm up with the cold temperatures that have arrived. The Hayward Area received around 5″ of snow over the weekend which may cause slushy spots to deal with in some areas. Farther north, snow continues to be minimal on the lakes, and travel conditions should improve as the week progresses. Thanks for the great reports Aron and Josh. Have a great week everyone, and thanks for a great 2014!!!