4-21-14 Minocqua Area Fishing Report
So predictable! We get dumped on with 12-16" of snow midweek only to see temps top out at the high 60's by Sunday. More days of no ice melt as the sun works to get back to the ice. Nice!
Here we are twelve days till the opener and ice coverage on the lakes is near 100% with measured depths of 20" to as much as 33".(Hazelhurst to Manitowish Waters).There is signs of shoreline ice pulling back,
but not much. The top layer of ice is soft, but the bottom 10-14" on most lakes is still solid black ice.
Forecast of highs in the 50's midweek to upper 40's by the end of the week with night time temps below freezing will only make the syrup tappers happy.
Crappies: Very Good to Excellent. A few hic-ups in the bite such as Saturday, but the Sunday bite was on! Crappies stacking up in the bays. Little/ Lethal Cecils, #8 Rockers, Vinglas and Poppees tipped with Chena or waxies. Tip downs with minnows best in am. and nearer to dusk. Lots of size structure with 10+ being the most desirable as keepers.
Bluegills: Very Good. More anglers targeting crappies, but gills providing action on Larvae jigs, tungsten heads tipped with waxies, spikes or plastics....black, purple or reds are best.
Yellow Perch: Good to Very Good. Best reports up in weeds now, fish 6-10" with forage minnow jigs with a glob of waxies. Nice perch in the 9-11" range, a few 12"ers.
Did get a pair of reports of areas where pumps to keep ice away from piers has opened up some shorelines, so keep an eye open. Top layers of ice slushy, knee high boots recommended. watch our website for mid-week report update.
Kurt,
Kurt's Island Sports
Minocqua, Wi.