My name is Chris Beeksma and I have been guiding in the Chequamegon Bay area for 18 years. I offer a professional run guide service... I am licensed with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as a Captain and licensed by the State of Wisconsin as a guide. The Chequamegon Bay area has become well known for it's great smallmouth bass fishing but that is not all we offer. Chequamegon bay also has excellent fishing for walleyes, northern pike and many species of trout and salmon. My services for this exciting fishery are year round. I can accomodate topwater smallmouth fishing in midsummer or deep water lake trout fishing in mid winter. We are also surrounded by a number of inland lakes with superb musky, bass,walleye and panfish populations. Area streams offer the thrill of migratory trout and salmon out of Lake Superior in spring and fall. If you love fishing you will love our area.

Chequamegon bay is located between the cities of Ashland and Washburn, Wisconsin on the south shore of Lake Superior. This area is protected from the north by the Apostle Islands, a tourist destination for sailing and power boating. A number of area attractions are available year round. Lodging is available for the budget traveler and also to those who request more expensive accomodations.

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Fishing...

Spring smallmouth fishing starts in the first week of May. Ice out is usually in the 3rd or 4th week of April so the smallmouths migrate to the warmer temperatures of the shallows for a prespawn feed. The spawning season is greater than a month in length due to drastic water temperature changes which can occur this time of year. In June, we can be catching prespawn, spawning and post spawn fish all in the same area.

July and August have the smallies roaming vast weedbeds, rock piles and shallow water points chasing forage fish. A great time for fast paced fishing and of course topwater action. Artificial lures rule this time of year but livebait sure comes in handy with occasional cold front conditions.

Fall may be the best time for big fish as well as numbers of fish. The smallies are roaming shallow flats adjacent to hard bottom structure and feeding heavily in deep water transition areas. Artificial and live bait are both effective this time of year. Often we are using a medium sized sucker minnow on one side of the boat and slow rolling a spinnerbait while casting on the other side. This fall feeding binge can last into early November.

Trout, Salmon, Muskies...

Spring and fall also offer exciting fishing for migratory trout and salmon on our area tributaries of Lake Superior. Our steelhead populations have made a great comeback in recent years and our small streams present a challenge in landing these powerful fighters.

We are located within an hours drive to some of the most well known Musky waters in the state. We can accomodate the angler looking to land his first musky and also the musky hunter trying to catch a fish of trophy size.

Featuring High-Quality Equipment...

I will provide top of the line equipment to ensure trouble free fishing. Of course, this does not include the occasional backlash! We will fish out of a 2001 Fisher FXDV18 fiberglass boat with a Mercury 200 h.p. Optimax engine. Sonar equpment includes the Edge2 by Vexilar and a Lowrance mapping GPS navigational tool. I am also a proud user of St. Croix rods and Power Pro line. Please see my list of supportive sponsors.

All fishing equipment is furnished. You may bring your own equipment if you prefer. For smallmouths, I recommend medium to medium heavy rods and reels with smooth drag systems and 6 to 10 lb test line. For fly fishing, 6 to 8 wt. rods work well. Floating line is adequate the majority of the time along with a 0X or1X leader material between 8 to 14 lb. test. Smallies love a variety of leech patterns, clouser minnows and of course bass size poppers.

Please remember to bring: Camera, food and beverages of choice, license, rain gear and extra clothing such as a sweatshirt or jacket.

Visit www.in-depthangling.com for the lates word on the bite!

Stop in to www.in-depthangling.com and check out the Chequamegon Bay Forum that I moderate to get the latest word on conditions, the hot patterns and photos from my most recent guide trips. While you're there, don't forget to register a user name and drop me a line letting me know how you've been doing on THE BAY!

Use the link below to go straight to the Chequamegon Bay Forum on In-Depthangling.com

Chequamegon Bay Forum

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