Lake Superior angling has closed for the open-water season. A few anglers were still getting out at the end, but they have now put their boats away for the year.
Up until the big snowstorm last week, the weather was nice and comfortable. Smallies were being reported in the Ashland side using tube jigs and ripping plastics over the shallower structure. A few pike were still on the chew as well. Now we will wait for the first ice to show up. Depending on the weather, of course, I figure it will be around New Year’s Day when we start our ice trip operations.
The St. Louis River has started to ice over and, as long as the winds stay down and we don’t get any snowy weather, we will be set for good ice-making conditions. The same goes for all of the lakes, reservoirs, flowages and ponds. Ice angling is just starting to get going, and in the next two weeks, I figure most area waters will have some sort of fishing traffic over the hard water.
Prior to ice forming on area waters, we did check in with Hayden Anderson of Hayden Anderson Fishing. Anderson reported the following: “Fishing was good, targeting smallmouth bass in deeper wintering holes; 20- to 30-foot hard bottom areas with some scattered rock were best. Utilizing SteelShad blade baits and 2.5-inch big bite bait salt tubes with a 3/8-oz tube jig was a great option.
“The important key to getting bit was moving the baits as slow as you possibly could. The short lift and drop with the blade bait, followed by a long pause, and a slow drag with a long pause for the tube as well. Most bites would come after the bait sat there still for 10 or more seconds.
“This late in the year, fish are biting very light, so using a rod with a very sensitive blank is critical to feeling the fish. It is important to utilize a signature series rod like ‘The Spin Boss’ from Vocelka Fishing And Customs when dragging the tube on the bottom. The right gear for the right type of fishing is always important.”
Thanks, Hayden. We couldn’t agree more.
Alrighty, anglers, be careful. Again, practice safe habits as we are now into full-blown winter fishing. We will see you on the ice very soon.
Jarrid Houston of South Range is a fishing guide ( houstonsguideservice.com ) on Minnesota and Wisconsin inland waters, the St. Louis River and, in winter, on Lake Superior.