6/24/14 Minocqua Area Fishing Report
East wind and lots of it along with cooler than usual temperatures postponed several events that have usually transpired by now.
On the larger lakes, largemouth bass, bluegills and pumpkinseeds have not started bedding yet. Plump females of all three of these species are being caught by anglers targeting walleyes and smallmouth bass along outside weed edges of 10-16’. While reports of bedding largemouth and gills were coming in a couple weeks ago, these were from small lakes with much warmer water.
The other event that usually occurs by now is the massive Hexagenia mayfly hatches. Typical of mid June in our area during this melee of swimming flying, mating, dying bugs; almost all walleye catches drop to zero for about three days. While some smaller, lesser species of mayfly have hatched- this cloud of walleye angler doom still lurks and should be coming sometime to a lake near you!
Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good. Wind has put a damper on top-water action. Best catches on wacky style worms, pre-rigged plastic worms and 7” worms rigged Carolina along outside weed edges of 10-16’.
Walleye: Good. Action slowed from previous week but still nice fish being caught. Still utilizing cabbage flats and (depending on lake) coontail edges. No distinct preference on bait, though redtailed chubs worked best on windy days (more weight, easier to control) but as wind died down leeches and crawlers also doing the job. Releases of 23-27” this week with plenty of 15-20” eaters.
Northern Pike: Good. Most catches on chubs meant for walleyes in the wind. Past few days as wints settled casting spinnerbaits producing will including 40” release!
Bluegills: Good. Oddly deeper weeds are better. Tiny jigs, tubes, small leeches and worms on the deep weed edges producing nice gills of 7 1/2 -9 ½”. Spawn yet to come on large lakes. Wind keeping popper bite down.
Musky: Good. Bucktails & Plastics best bets. Fish roaming windy weed beds feeding on panfish in 6-10’.
Crappie: Fair-Good. Wind making it tough to find & stay on fish. Catches jigging medium fats, small chubs aggressively through weed tops scoring nice crappies of 11-13”. Look for bite to improve as weather (wind) mellows out.
Yellow Perch: Fair. Wind tough on perchers. When possible jigging ½ crawlers or frozen soft shells over windy weedy flats producing some nice perch.
Smallmouth bass: Fair. Not a lot of reports of late. A few nice 17-19’ fish on chubs meant for walleyes along 11-14’ coontail edges.
Ease winds have left for now. Action picking up as conditions easier to fish, with the exception of the pending mayfly hatch, outlook is good.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports