Minocqua area fishing report
As October seems to have slid into the second week of November, anglers are finding good reason to get the boats out for “one last shot” at landing a musky or putting some last minute fish in the freezer. A few 20 degree mornings have helped push surface temps into the upper 40’s all throughout the Lakeland area. Some ice on a few bog ponds was also reported by muskrat trappers.
Musky: Good. While the action has slowed for some, reports have other anglers still getting three to four bites a day, mostly on suckers. Location seems dependent on type of lake as anglers finding fish in shallow weeds of 6-7’ outside weed lines on mid-large lakes of 12-18’ and some fish in 20-30’ suspending at transition areas where Cisco and Whitefish would be staging.
Walleyes: Good. More attention than would usually be found as anglers taking advantage of the warm weather spending more time on the water. Redtail chubs, blacktail chubs and 3-5” suckers in depths of 18-26’. Nice fish up to 28” this past week.
Crappies and Perch: Good. Still best in green weeds of 6-10’. Small minnows or mini-mites tipped with waxies best.
Whitefish: Good to very good. Staging outside nighttime spawning shoals. Jig Swedish Pimples tipped with waxies for best results.
Weather may not be as nice this coming weekend (Wisconsin Gun Deer Opener) but opportunities will still be there for those who bag their buck early.
Deer activity has been high as the rut has been in full swing.
Kurt Justice
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.comn