Minocqua Area Fishing Report
By Professional Guide Kurt Justice
After an opening weekend of rough weather, the rest of the season has been very nice and stable. Gradually warming temps have been great. The warm water temps does seem to have messed up the spawning cycle of some fish though. Just because the calendar says mid May, your next trip out you might see a few nesting bass and bluegills, a month early, but probably caught up in the crazy weather that has been going on this spring.
Crappies: Very good-Excellent. Crappie anglers have had a great week of activity as the lakes with surface temps in the low 60's already had fish spawning. Staging fish in 6-8' of weeds have actively been taking small minnow, tiny tubes and twister tails. Lots of nice 11-13" slabs with a few 14-15"ers reported.
Walleyes: Very good. The feed is on, though high pressure days have put the best bites after dark, early in the morning or at dusk. Local anglers have found active big fish from 10 pm to 2 am taking larger walleyes of 20-28" on lighted slip floats and large chubs. Casting stick baits such as Rattlin Rouges and #11 and #13 Rapalas over weed tops in 6-8' of water have also scored well. Daytime anglers best bet is to work early or late in the day or concentrate on dark water. Dace, large fatheads and mud minnows on 1/16 oz jigs with weed guards best. Redtailed chubs would work....if you can find any.
Pike: Very good. Jigging 4-6" chubs or suckers through 5-8' weed flats best. Some nice fish to 34" on spoons and spinnerbaits.
Bluegills: Very good. Lots of gills very shallow, some surprisingly making beds in the warmest of bays. Worms, Gulp Alive and even small minnows meant for crappies producing nice gills to 8 1/2".
Perch: Good. Not schooling very tight but putting weight back on. Nice perch to 12 1/2" caught on 1/32 oz jigs with medium fatheads and also on small crankbaits fished close to shore and around drowned wood in 2-5' of water.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Very good. Lots of fish very shallow. A few seen working beds (a month early). Fish in 1-5' of water. Tube jigs and 4" plastic worms working. Remember it is catch and release only until June 16th.
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Not being caught as readily as Largemouth, but big heavy fish taking jig/minnow combos meant for walleyes. Fish to 20+" and well over 5#s being caught.
The season looks closer to early/mid June than mid May with water temps of 64 degrees being recorded on smaller lakes. Big lakes still in the low to mid 50's but all producing nice action.
For information on lodging, dining, entertainment and more outdoors in the Minocqua Area, connect with the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce at www.minocqua.org or 715-356-5266.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
715-356-4797
www.kurtsislandsports.com