Minocqua Area Fishing Report 7-4-14
Water temps rising as warm winds pushing surface readings to the low 70's. High winds making boat positioning difficult,
hard on the precision needed for walleyes or to anchor for panfish.
Largemoutrh Bass: Very Good. Winds keeping action sub-surface. Jig / pig - creature baits along deep weed edges. Wacky worms
(this is where the heavier Senko worms shine over other lighter like style worms) also an excellent choice. Cranks and Chatterbaits taking a fair share, lots of 14-17" fish,
but fish to 20"+ this week reported.
Walleyes: Good. Wind helping, yet hurting. Keeps walleyes up in weeds later into the morning. Haven't seen a strong preference - redtails, crawlers and large leeches all good. Larger fish still being caught (24-26") with most fish in the 16-20" range. Scatter Rap minnows continue to produce fish at dusk. Lighted slip-floats with extra large leeches after dark.
Musky: Good. Bucktails and smaller (6") rubberbaits producing best. Temps good for topwater....wind not!
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Slow start to smallie season. Action beginning to pick up. X-raps over rocky breaks and peaks of 8-12' good. Try drop-shotting Craw-papis or 2 1/2" Jackal crosstail shads over deeper humps - fish just starting to show up over 14-18' depths.
Northern Pike: Good. Casting spinner baits over weed flats produced a 40" (released) pike this past week. Shallow, square bill cranks and soft bodied jigs also scoring.
Bluegills: ?/ Fair. Water temps are prime for bedding (72 deg.), but wind roughing up the water. Fish tiny plastics below small leeches, waxies, leafworms all favorites.
Crappies: ?/ Fair. Wind making targeting this species tough.
Yellow Perch: ?/ Fair. See above
Small cold front could slow things, but once winds die down expect both bass species as well as bluegills, perch and crappie fishing to improve by weeks end.
Thanks,
Kurt
Island Sportshop
824 Hwy 51 N.
Minocqua, Wi 54548
(715)356-4797