Minocqua area fishing report
Fall fishing is in full swing now that last week’s cold nights helped to put the turnover behind us for the most part. You may see surface temps top out in the mid 50’s or higher early in the week due to a couple of warm days, but, that won’t recreate a turnover as sub-surface temps will remain in the low 50’s now.
Musky: Very good. Until Sunday, wind and weather helped to trip the “trigger” of muskies throughout the Lakeland area. Suckers have been the “hot” bait on the menu. Windy days drifting bladed quick-set rigs (Smity) using 12-16” suckers best. Jerk baits (Suicks), gliders (Smity Jerks) and Twitch baits have been scoring well. Moderate retrieves with small pauses working best.
Walleye: Very good…with a catch! Walleyes are feeding well, but, are very tentative. Patience is the key to “feeding” redtailed chubs up in heavy green weeds. Slow dragging on 1/16 oz. weedless Jack’s jigs or Northland Weed Weasels best. Deeper lakes best using Lindy style rigs, 1/4oz. jigs or Jigging Raps (#5, #7, #9). Good catches of nice eaters with plenty of “slot” fish to go around.
Crappies: Very good. On lakes, anglers finding crappies suspended 9-11’ down being caught by trollers using Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and Jr. Thundersticks.
Bluegills: Very good. Surprising since few anglers target gills at this time of year. The consensus is 10’ green cabbage. Worms, leeches or waxies. Nice gills of 8-10”.
Northern Pike: Very good. Pike taking jig and chub rigs with regularity. Some on “jig” swimbaits.
Perch: Good. A few flowage anglers plying deep wood and shallow weeds picking up decent catches of perch on medium fatheads.
Bass: No reports
This post turn-over period shouldn’t leave us too soon. Great fall temps (cool/cold morning followed by warm afternoons) should spread this “season” out a bit.
Kurt Justice
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com