Chequamegon Bay Smallmouth Bass Anglers
The smallmouth bass catch release season all hooks must be barbless and NO live bait
Chequamegon Bay is a premier smallmouth bass destination for many bass enthusiast. Chequamegon Bay is located in southwest area of Lake Superior between Ashland, WI and Bayfield, WI. A relatively large shallow bay (compared to the rest of Lake Superior) with a mix of sand, rock and other man made structures. Many streams and rivers deposit sediment into Chequamegon Bay which gives it its rich diversity of fish and wildlife, including world class fly fishing for smallmouth bass.
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The Wisconsin DNR created aggressive smallmouth bass regulations on Chequamegon Bay to protect spawning fish and because of their slow growing season. Most of the early season is catch and release only, after that it's only one fish over 22 inches!
Chequamegon Bay is probably one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the world. Angler's pursue smallmouth bass using a variety of angling techniques including bait, hardware, plastics and of course fly fishing! Fly fishing for smallmouth bass on Chequamegon Bay is a thrill of a lifetime where you'll be stalking fish up shallow in less then 5 ft of water along the shoreline.
Fly fishing is best from May through June. Weather plays an important role in determining fishing conditions and where the fish will be setting up. The weather on Lake Superior and Chequamegon Bay can change drastically over a short period of time, so you want to be prepared. If your hiring a guide, please be sure to ask for their Captain's License (also known as a 6-pack or Charter's License). There is nothing wrong for asking to see his or her U.S. Coast Guard license because all guides need to have it with them at all times when guiding on Lake Superior. Chequamegon Bay fishing guides also need a guide license registered through the state of Wisconsin.
From The Nature Conservancy:
"Fish and wildlife are abundant and water quality in the Chequamegon Bay Watershed, located on the southern shore of Lake Superior, is very high. All these things have important economic value to the surrounding communities. The nearly one-million-acre watershed contains the only undeveloped dune system of its type and the largest undeveloped wetland complex remaining in the Great Lakes region. It is home to 137 rare plants and animals and 33 different types of plant communities. The area also provides important habitat for migratory and nesting waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds and is an important spawning and nursery area for many fish species including the lake sturgeon."
They also have a nice Chequamegon Bay Watershed Guide. The Nature Conservancy