Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Cold temps for late March (single digit mornings to start the weekend) put a huge stall on the spring thaw. Despite just enough warmth in the afternoons to get rid of mid weeks snow, it’s been 9 days of no ice melt, possibly even adding a little ice.
Bluegill: Fair. With a lot of high pressure and high wind, the bluegill bite has been off. Best to use small tungsten jigs tipped with single moussee, spike or wax worm held close to the bottom to lure in bites. Cold could be reason best bites are mostly in deeper water (12-14’). Searching out less pressured water has helped several anglers find catches when the “popular” spots don’t produce.
Perch: Fair. Deep mud flats still holding perch feeding on wigglers. Work the 14-22’ mud, banging the bottom to stir up mud to simulate feeding fish. The other area anglers are finding perch is up along weed edges of 8-12’. Minnows and minnow shaped jigs such as #2 Jigging Rapalas preferred in these areas.
Crappie: Fair. Fishing has been disappointing for this species. Deep water anglers having better success using tip-downs to pick up scattered biters. Some finicky fish being picked up using #10 and #8 rockers and a piece of Chena or plastic. Patience has been a must.
Things could change this week with temps of high 50’s to low 60’s and some cloud cover mid week. Ice in good shape as of now with averages of 18-24”. A few smaller lakes that didn’t freeze as well due to early ice up and more snow cover are in the 14-16” range for ice.
Shoreline access is still good except where there is a current (Flowages) opening up. Coming warm spell mid week could hurt some north (south facing) access.
Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, Wi