Minocqua area fishing report
A soggy Memorial weekend put a damper on what could have been a great opener, but, despite the forecast (and unfortunate reality), anglers who dodged the rain in many cases faired pretty well.
Northern Pike: Very good. Many being caught by anglers targeting other species (bass, walleye and musky). Big chubs and suckers of 5-7” on slip-bobber rigs and jig combos worked well, but casting swimbaits, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits (Boonies accounted for a lot of pike in the 24-30” class this weekend), caught lots of pike. Depths of 3-8’ with plenty of cabbage best.
Smallmouth Bass: Very good. Many fish up on beds. Topwater action best between rain squalls using Pop-R’s and Skitter Pops. Twitch baits such as Shadow Raps, X-Raps and Husky Jerks all producers.
Largemouth Bass: Very good. From 1’ to 8’ depths, LMB cruising the warmest shallows taking plastic Lizards, creatures, plastic craws fished on light Carolina rigs. Spinner baits, square billed cranks and pre-rigged plastic worms all helping anglers connect.
Walleyes: Good. Overcast and rain is ok for this species. Big leeches and 3-4” chubs and suckers in weed beds of 6-10’ when sun not shinning. Anglers casting Shad Raps (#6, 7, 8) over and along side weed beds/weed edges of 8-14’ doing very well. Fish of the week a 31” monster caught and released by a young fisher gal using a Boonie Bait (spinner bait).
Crappies: Fair-Good. The easy stuff is over as the previous weekends warm spell brought the spawn to a fast end. Still, anglers catching post spawn crappies using minnow on floats in 8-12’ depths.
Bluegills: Fair. Action will resume once the sun comes out and warms the shallows. Thunderbugs and small leeches best in 2-6’.
Perch: Fair. Not a lot of reports. Some anglers working weeds in 5-8’ using Thunderbugs and small leeches catching some nice “eaters” of 8-9”.
Much needed moisture, but, unfortunately on a Holiday weekend. Water temps bouncing from 64-69 degrees. Rain threat to end by Thursday.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop