Minocqua Area Fishing Report 10-15-12
By Professional Guide Kurt Justice
Lake temps continue to drop further into the 40's, a few larger lakes still in the high 40's - low 50's, but the cooling water definitely affecting fishing -- some good --some not as good.
Musky: Very good. Lots of fish reported this past week. Many anglers reporting multi fish days. With nearly all lakes turned over, anglers finding fish at a variety of depths depending on lake type. Reports from guides Russ and Jake Smith have fish hitting big Smity Jerks worked just off the edge of dying black weeds in 6-10'. Russ boated 6 fish in two days. Guides Paul Habram and myself found best action in 14-20' drifting large and XL suckers on quick set rigs with blades. Lots of 40-48" fish over the weekend with Paul's clients boating fish of 44, 45, 47, 47 1/2, and 48" over two days. This is the time to be out on the water for Musky.
Walleye: Good. Best action deep (30-50') dragging chubs and suckers on Lindy style rigs. Big eyes at this time of 26-30" with a 30 1/2" on a 6" sucker being tops for the week. Please use caution reeling fish from these depths. Slow is the key to being able to release these fish (think of the future).
Perch: Good. Work green weeds to find eaters using 1/2 crawlers or medium fatheads. A few nice 10-11"ers reported but mostly 8-9" fish.
Pike: Good. Live bait best. Some nicer pike hitting twitch baits meant for musky. Overall a slow, live bait presentation is best.
As of time of this report, no reports on bass, crappies or gills.
The hot musky action has strong correlation to the weather. Cloudy, windy days have been best. While some anglers have reported better action during the afternoons, our boat landed 4 (including a fat tiger) all in the morning on Sunday. With many lakes running surface temps of 42-46 degrees. Slow and big seem to be key.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com