Minocqua Area Fishing Report 11/24/15
Caution is the best way to describe conditions in the Lakeland area, Still! Here it is the 5th of January and some lakes in the area are not completely iced over.
Walking is the ONLY way to go, and even then- spud your way to make sure. In some instances, certain lakes look ( due to snow cover) and start out safe (3-8”) but there may be pockets of thin ice and even open water. Too many quads and snowmobiles have gone through this week to do anything but walk. One snowmobile rider unfortunately lost his life after breaking through!
Fishing action slowed some over the weekend. Could have been barometric up: downs as well as number of anglers on the ice Fri/Sat. But despite the dip in activity from earlier, good reports still persist.
Walleye: Very Good to Good: Best last hour before dark, again around 8pm and then near mid-night. Had to list this species first because of 14.94#, 32” walleye brought in and weighed on a certified scale this morning! Other anglers targeting walleyes still getting best action on jigging Raps, Ultra Lite Rattling Raps, Chubby Darters and slender spoons. Standard tip-up rigs baited with suckers on river shiners also doing the trick.
Northern Pike: Very Good-Good. Another species with exceptional size fish (32-36”) being caught with a photo and released 43” pike caught on Sat) 1/2). Big pike suckers and shiners best. Bigger fish along weed edges of 8-10’.
Bluegills: Very Good-Good. Action slowed and size average dropped on popular areas- probably due to such an influx of pressure. Reports from smaller outlying lakes coming in with good catches of gills 8-9”, 7-10’ seems to be key. Lots of action on jig fly’s by V.M.C and Northland. Number 3: # 4 Tungsten tipped with single waxie or spike also good. This week’s hot plastic color was root beer and motor oil.
Crappies: Very Good-Fair. What started out the week as HOT! Cooled by weeks end. Still some action on tip-downs with minnows towards dusk. Plastic dippers best on white, silver and chartreuse.
Largemouth Bass: Very Good to Fair. Action slowed, but fish to 18” being caught on tip-ups with medium shiners or as accidentals on jig poles, teardrop and waxies.
Yellow Perch: Good to Fair. Most of the best “classic” perch spots not accessible, so reports coming from shallow (less than 12’) areas of weeds by anglers using medium fatheads on small forage spoons.
Mid – week temps look to be mild (highs low 30’s) not ice making weather. BySunday (1/10) single digit nights and low teens for highs on Mon/ Tue should firm up ice the way we need to get around.
Continue to carry safety picks, rope, flotation and fish with a friend. If you have a Floating ice suit (Striker) wear it – or borrow or buy one. Please use caution and common sense- no fish is worth the loss of life.