Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Cold nights with lows in the lower 30 degree range and some highs barely breaking 40 degrees last week pushed surface temps down. Some smaller shallower lakes saw surface water hit 47 degrees while mid – sized lakes 1,000 acre Big Arb for example) read 51-52 degrees and the largest lakes still about 54-55 degrees. Fishing pressure getting lighter as leaves falling opening up other pursuits such as grouse and archery deer hunting.
Musky: Good – Very Good. Action slowing down from last weeks peak, but still good and more reports of larger fish (upper 40” to low 50”) being reported. Suckers the top of the menu, Rigs with blades best on dark water and windy days, but even in deep water ( over 20’) blades help to add attraction. Casting Jerks (Suicks) Gliders (Smitty, Smutly) and Twitch (Cranes, Grandmas) as well as jointed varieties of the last two best. Work deeper once cold returns, 12-20’ + best.
Walleye: Good-Very Good. Good overall in most cases as deep water (18-34’) bites on mid- sized lakes using Large Fatheads or ½ crawlers. On larger lakes 22-45’ depth using Red Tails, 4-6” Sucker or Black Tails on 3/8-1/2oz. jigs on Lindy rigs (tail hook for action). Once located, rating of very good as limits (3 per) can be caught quickly.
Crappies: Good. Deep wood of 10-18’ especially with deeper water nearby. Medium fatheads or ½ crawler on 1/16-1/8 oz. jig or slip floats. Jig heads with spinner underneath tipped with medium fat good choice. Not numbers of Sept. but nice 11-14” fish being caught.
Yellow Perch: Good – Fair. On flowages big perch up along wood of 6-10’ feeding on dragon fly larvae, small crayfish and some small perch ½ crawlers, med fats best. On lakes, target weed edges of 10-14’- out here best on small minnows and ½ crawlers.
Northern Pike: Good- Fair. Action slowing some. For best results go live bait (chubs, suckers) Jigging and slip-bobbering.
Smallmouth Bass: Fair. Few reports. Wind kept some anglers from targeting these fish out deep over 20-35’ using Lindy rigs with chubs.
Largemouth Bass, Bluegills: No reports.
A warm spell (temps in 60’s Sunday and Monday, high 50’s Tues –Thurs) will keep surface temps where they are at. By the weekend, surface temps will probably start dropping a little as temps cool.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop