Minocqua Area Fishing Report 1/8/2013
It’s definitely been an ice fisherman’s winter so far in the Northwoods. Very little snow and pretty good ice has made access to most lakes not bad. There is still room for caution on the large lakes with ice thickness varying from 3-10”. Most lakes averaging 7-9”.
Walleye: Good to Very good. Bright sunny days best at dusk and pre-dawn. Overcast days seeing decent action through mid-morning. Lots of tip-up action on suckers, shiners- jigging anglers picking up larger fish (22-27”) on isolated humps using jigging Raps and Snap Raps.
Pike: Very good. Lots of flags flying! Action and size as mild winter weather keeping fish very active. Several musky, including a 48” caught and released. Nicer pike on big slab shiners. Fish of 27-34”. This week lots of smaller (action & eaters) on medium shiners under tip-ups.
Crappies: Very good. Odd to have such a good crappie action this part of January. Anglers using small purple or black jigs tipped with single spike, chena or plastic tails doing very well in green weeds of 8-12’. Rosie reds on tip-downs also scoring as warmer than usual weather making tip-down use viable.
Largemouth Bass: Very Good. Thanks to warm weather LMB very active. Lots of action on tip-ups, medium shiners meant for pike/walleye. Also targeting minnows on tip-downs for crappies. Jigging Rapalas, Swedish Pimples and Slender Spoons. Nice average of 13-16” with a few 17”ers reported.
Bluegills: Very good. Enjoying weather. Small bright colored jigs scoring lots of fish in 5-8’ weeds. Waxies, spikes, plastics and mousses (when available) all good.
Perch: Good-Very Good. Best action shallow water 4-7’. Snap jigging pimples, vinglas and #2 jigging Raps. Anglers using Forage Frys and waxies also doing well.
White fish: Fair. Not as many reports. Fish to 70’ on Pimples/waxies.
We hit 40 degrees today and may see more of this mild temps before cold moves in on Sunday. Anglers should take advantage of this warm spell but use caution when traveling on ice.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports
715-356-4797