Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Despite waking up to snow on the ground (5/19) and cold winds, mild temps look to return by the weekend. It just seems like a long way off when you are sitting in a boat now!
The past few days of wind and cold temps have slowed fishing, pushing some species out of the shallows. With forecasted highs only reaching high 60’s to low 70’s by the weekend, it will take at least until then to see fish return in numbers to the shallows.
Crappies: Very good to fair. Cold has shut down a lot of what was a very good bite. Males had moved in picking out spots to make beds. The females were hanging just outside. On some lakes the males are committed possibly already guarding eggs and won’t leave. Look for a return as waters move back into the low 60’s after having dropped into the high 50’s with recent cold snap.
Walleye: Good to Fair. Recent cold slowed this bite. Casting shallow running stick baits (Floating Rapalas, Rattlin Rouges, Thundersticks and #11 Scatterraps) over shallow, new plant growth, especially after dark has been a good producer. Jig anglers have to fish deeper as of late due to cold weather. The return of warmer weather should bring that daytime bite back up. While minnows have seen the bulk of the bite, some anglers reporting a good leech bite as well.
Bluegill: Good to Fair. Bite should return by weekend. Mini-mites tipped with waxies as well as small leeches fished in 4-8’ near weeds or drowned wood working well. Nice gills of 7-8 ½” reported on the Minocqua chain.
Largemouth Bass: Good to fair. Slower approaches working best with wacky style worms, jig and craw combos producing. As water temps climb, other tactics will come into play, but for now the subtle styles work best.
Pike: Good to fair. Pike are not as affected by the cold as the other species this week, but, still not as good a bite. Paddle tail grubs have been productive for pike as a lure that can be fished at different speeds. Without fish chasing on certain days of colder temps, stick to chubs or suckers under a float or on a jig.
Perch: Good to Fair. Some very nice perch (10-12”) being caught in shallow water (3-7’). Many feeding up to put weight back on after spawn. Don’t be afraid to use medium to large fatheads for these fish with big appetites.
Smallmouth Bass: Good to fair. Still catch and release only on this species, but some very nice smallies to 20+” on X-raps and jig and twisters this past week.
Musky: While always a guess to start the season (opens 5/23), a good portion of the population spawned earlier due to the warm April/early May. Typical tactics apply – 6” twitch baits and smaller bucktails. Some smaller rubberbaits would also be a good option.
While temps may not be as warm as we would like for Memorial Weekend, it is an early Memorial and the forecast looks good for nice, if not hot weather.
Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, Wi 54548