Minocqua Area Fishing Report 4-5-2013
Though the calendar says April, don’t put your ice fishing gear away yet! Looks like there will be plenty of ice fishing for panfish here in the Northwoods for weeks to come. With night time temps in the teens and twenty’s and daytime temps in the low 30’s to 40’s, we won’t be losing any ice for a while.
Fishing hasn’t been great. There has been small windows of good ice fishing (generally towards dusk), but a lot of poor reports. The best is coming. Signs of activity are showing up. Anglers biggest concern has been access across lakes – it’s not good. Snow levels have dropped on the ice, but layers of snow/ice/slush/water make travel very difficult. Even snowmobilers are having difficulties.
Perch: Fair. Best on wigglers over mud in 12-20’. Place wigglers on small spoon for flash (Hali, Swedish Pimple, Forage Spoon). Very nice fish of 10-12” though ability to follow schools hampered by poor travel conditions.
Bluegill: Fair. Spikes, waxies, plastics best. While some action in usual weed areas, nicer fish being found suspended out away from weeds. Look to mud of 12-10’ and near any drowned wood or pilings. Gill gills at this time to 8”.
Ice thickness running 26-30” on average. Still layers of crust, ice, slush protecting from the sun. Ten day forecast shows little change. Expect lots of improving ice fishing.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop