Minocqua Area Fishing Report
This week of artic blast shut the door on fish and fishing this past week. Wind chills down to 25-30 below kept most anglers looking for other things to do.
Some improvement on Monday of this week, but by Wednesday it’s going to be super cold again. Temps will be in the teens for the weekend.
Pike: Poor-Fair. Due to weather over the weekend, this was the best fish to fish for thanks to tip-ups baited with shiners. Even though pike fishing had been slow, had excellent reports on Monday (2/16) after cold snap temporarily lifted.
Perch: Poor-Fair. Action is in weeds of 6-8’, but mostly small fish. Use medium fatheads or large rosie reds to target larger fish. Access to mud flats is getting better (very little slush, but, watch for “quick snow”). Wigglers on Hali jigs or Swedish Pimples best in 18-30’.
Walleye: Poor. Fishing seemed to really shut down for walleyes. Again good reports came in from anglers that went out on Monday, with action starting around 4pm.
Crappies: Poor. Was picking up nicely through 2/12 then fell off to near nothing over the weekend. Watch for improvement as the temps climb this week.
Bluegills: Poor. Too windy/cold to hole hop so very few anglers trying for gills.
Largemouth Bass: Poor. This species likes warmer conditions (temps over 20 degrees will spur action).
With only 2 weekends left in the gamefish season, anglers should be out and about this coming weekend to catch walleye and pike. Highs in the teens won’t feel so bad after last weekend and the warmer temps will help fishing.
The biggest drawback to travel is wind. Tracks/roads are drifting over with light powdery snow. Some areas only have 2-3” of snow on the ice, other areas have 14-18”. Ice depth averaging 22-27”.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop