5/20/14 Minocqua Area Fishing Report
After a little taste of winter late last week (yes, snowflakes on May 15) and the drop in water temperature that comes with the cold, things look good from here on out with a nice gradual warm up for the next 7-10 days. We will need the warmth and sun to get the weeds growing. We are weeks behind on both plant growth above and below the water.
Crappies: Good and Improving. Crappies are moving up to the shallows on North and East shores to collect warmth in the afternoons. Now that we are done with the night cold, these fish are staying and staging in areas. Submerged wood along these shores and in protected bays help to gather heat to the surrounding water and adds protection for these fish. Pitch tiny jigs (Gapen’s Freshwater Shrimp, Mini-mites, Hotties) under small floats from as far away as possible to suspend these offerings to entice hits. Small minnows, leeches and wax worms also working.
Walleyes: Fair-Good-Improving. Drop in temperature hurt late last week, but there was still a good bite in the afternoons and evenings as the waters warmed back up. Post spawn walleyes are moving shallow to feed up after the rigors of spawning.
A lack of green weeds to hold forage fish means a lack of targets for walleyes and anglers to key in on. A majority of walleye stomachs have been full of small bluegills and perch (though fish from the Turtle Flambeau Flowage have reportedly been full of leeches). Small, shallow running crankbaits that run to 5-6’ depths and not retrieved too quickly have been a good way to work shallow flats, covering water and enticing strikes from active fish. A jig and minnow (or leech) combo slowly worked back over the same areas will produce the less active biters.
Pike: Good-Improving. Most catches have been by anglers targeting walleyes with jig/minnow combos. Larger chubs or suckers produce best. Slow moving plastic spoons (Moss Boss) worked with a lift and glide as well as Slug-gos also garner nice action.
Largemouth Bass: Fair- Improving. Twitch stick-baits over shallow warming dark bottom areas. Plastics such as Salamanders, craws and tubes crawled/hopped in like areas also working.
Perch: Fair. Few reports
Bluegills: Fair-Good. Moving into shallows on warm days. Tiny jigs tipped with waxies.
Musky: Opener is this Saturday. Haven’t seen or heard much this spring. With the Memorial weekend temps forecasted to hit 70’s, water temps should rush through the 50’s and into the 60’s bringing fish up to pre-spawn mode.
Weather looks to be very favorable for the upcoming holiday weekend. Water temps should climb and weed growth should begin.
Wild bait such as chubs, dace are tough to get. Leeches are in good supply.
Should see pre-spawn activity increase for crappies, smallies and musky. Crappies and musky spawning the following week, if not before on some smaller lakes.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com