Fishing continues to be a bit spotty, but there have been some good reports this week.  In the bay there is still plenty of ice, however the access points and areas near shorelines are very wet and slushy.  There are still a few trucks heading off the ashland side, but with deteriorating ice conditions, this is no longer recommended.  ATV and walk on access remain excellent.  The lighthouse region and the channels off ashland have been producing a mixed bag of coho, walleye, browns, smelt, perch, and bass. Tip-ups with lake shiners, and swedish pimples or hali jigs tipped with a shiner head or waxworm have been producing best.

 Farther to the north, the river mouths have started to turn on due to warmer weather, and increased stream runoff.   Fishing can be excellent in shallow water directly off the river mouth for steelhead and coho early in the morning and in the late afternoon.  During mid-day the deeper waters will produce more fish.  Shallow water steelhead bite well on spawn bags or lake shiners fished on a tip-up or dead stick.  Small jigging spoons or panfish jigs tipped with waxies will also work well. 

Bobbing continues in the islands for lake trout, but with the warm weather, this will probably only last another week or so.  The bite remains best in deeper water (over 150').  Successful anglers have been using beetles and large jigging spoons tipped with cut herring.

Please use caution and check ice conditions frequently as you go.  This time of year ice conditons can change quickly due to warm weather, runoff, and currents.

River Rock Inn and Bait has all the bait, equipment, and current fishing advice you need to make your next ice fishing trip successfull.  Be sure to stop by for the latest reports!

Good Fishing!!