Minocqua Fishing Reports
Not a noteworthy week in many respects. The wind finally laid down enough for better boat control, but some storms (and threat of storms), changed plans and patterns.
Musky baits and top water tail baits (Whopper Ploppers and Pace Makers) have worked well over thick weed mats, especially pre – front conditions. Big bladed buck tails / double bladed that move water also good choices.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Wind not a friend to bass anglers early in week. Once things calmed down, plastics in the form of Sweet Beavers, Creatures and Craws Carolina rigged produced well. Buzz baits and other top water offerings towards warmer evenings.
Northern Pike: Good. Best on spinnerbaits and swimbaits over thick weeds of 6-10’. Live chubs or suckers in and wide gapped weed less jig working well.
Walleye: Good. Bite off from early in week when it was best. Picking back up some. Red tails good choice on weed edges in wind. Crawlers or leeches along sand grass of 14-22’.
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Some evening top water action for big smallies. Daytime drop – shotting with plastic craws or pin – minnow’s best. Big leeched hard to resist.
Crappie: Good. Deep wood best, though some big slabs 14” along deep weeds came to the boat using chubs meant for walleyes. Looks like a good number of 11-13” fish on many of our lakes and flowages.
Bluegill: Good. Be better if less windy early. Evenings still good for top water poppers and dry – fly’s. Small leeches along deep coontail edges of 12-16’. Nice gills even taking crappie minnows.
Yellow Perch: Fair – Good. Best using ½ crawlers or frozen soft shells over deeper sand grass or along drowned wood (cribs).
Water temps dropped early last week, most surface temps running 72 – 74. Flowage water levels also dropping.
Kurt Justice
Kurts Island Sport Shop
www.Kurts island sports.com