Good Morning, the Minocqua Area Fishing Report:
Surface temps have yet to drop to levels usually seen at this time of year. Most lakes are seeing temps averaging 60-62 degrees- last year at this time the average was 49-50 degrees. This week’s air temp lows of the 40s will be working against highs in the low 70s.
Pike: Good. Spinnerbaits over cabbage beds of 4-8’ producing pike of 22-30”.
Musky: Fair. Surprisingly slow for what is usually prime musky time, fish are very shallow- 4-8’. Twitch baits (Cranes, Big Game) and shallow running jerks (Suicks, Smity’s) pulling some fish from shallow weeds. Topwater (top-Raiders, Whopper Ploppers) also producing fish this week. Mostly smaller fish, top reports a 45” tiger (sucker) and 47” true musky (8” Crane).
Largemouth Bass: Good. Spinnerbaits also tagging nice bass in the 3-5# range. Double Colorado blades a plus on larger 3/8-1/2 oz lures.
Crappies: Good. Working wood in 8-14’ using medium fatheads producing nice catches of crappies 10-13+”.
Walleyes: Fair. Deep water (35-45’) depth producing walleyes of 19-23”. Chubs preferred, yet hard to find. Use suckers of 3-5” on 3/8-1/2 oz jigs or Lindy Rigs. Flowage walleye being found in 10-14’ near wood on large fatheads.
Perch: Fair-Good. Recent weather made targeting perch tough over weekend. Prior weather with less wind gave up good catches of 9-13” perch using fatheads on 1/16 ox jigs in 4-7” weeds.
Been predicting good musky fishing coming up- just hasn’t happened. Fall fishing looks to stretch out as cold weather isn’t due this week. Hot sucker bite yet to occur.
Colors on trees have not peaked as of yet. Upcoming weekend forecasted for a little rain, fairly stable temps.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports
715-356-4797