Minocqua Area Fishing Report 6/18/14
Minocqua Area Fishing Report:
At least all the wind has kept the mosquitos at bay. Wind has been the biggest hindrance to fishing for most species.
Where possible and with proper boat control some of the best walleye fishing of the season came last week, but the wind made it work!
Walleye: Excellent to Good. Action slowed some after the full moon. Prior to that lots of limits (lake limits) of larger fish (18" plus). We personally released 8 walleyes of 23-26" on jig and dace combos. Evening casting with #13 Rapalas, Rattlin Rouges and #11 Scatter Raps remains hot! Seems to be a lack of forage in some lakes which is equating to hungry walleyes.
Largemouth Bass: Very Good. Cooler temps (some morning launches saw 41-44 deg.) pulled water temps into the lower 60's.Any largemouth bass that hadn't started to bed on larger lakes are holding out. Jig and creature baits still good choice as has been pre-rigged worms.
Northern Pike: Good. Actively hitting jig/chub combos. Mepps spinners (#3's)and chatterbaits also effective. Most pike running smaller (20-25") but a few low 30" fish caught this week.
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Post spawn fish starting to scatter out to usual summer haunts. Wind has made fishing off shore humps difficult. Work calmer waters at dusk with x-raps to find cruising fish up around flats. Once possible, fish breaks and side of humps with tubes.
Bluegills: Good-Fair. Wind has limited accessibility. Find good water on the lee side of the lakes and good action with some fish to 10 1/2" reported taking small leeches, wax worms and even crappie minnows! Tough to fish poppers in this wind, though once things calm down this week expect action on top to pick up.
Yellow Perch: Good-Fair. Larger perch up in weeds of 6-8' dining on dragonfly larvae. Use medium leech below slip float for best action. 1/2 crawlers also doing well.
Crappie: Fair. A few incidentals jigging for walleye. The lucky few who had shelter from the wind inside boat houses also scoring some fish. Should pick up with calmer seas.
Musky: Some decent numbers on bucktails, tubes, small rubberbaits, not much for size.
Fishing has been good, just difficult. Not much for hex hatches, could be the cold mornings and high winds keeping the hatch from rising. Lots of daylight, so early mornings / late evenings best times to fish.
Thanks, Kurt
Island Sportshop
715-356-4797
PO Box 1144
824 Hwy 51 N.
Minocqua, Wi. 54548