Minocqua Area Fishing Report 9/30/14
The last week of September saw some beautiful, warm weather. Lake surface temps climbed, conditions were prime for several species of fish and fall colors closed in on peaking.
Smallmouth Bass: Very good. Smallies moved in on many lakes to feed on bait fish that moved in to shallows. X-Raps, Spinnerbaits- even glidebaits meant for muskys scored big bass including a 21 7/8"-6# 2oz. monster on the aforementioned musky bait.
Crappies: Very Good. Big slabs- including a measured 16" goliath caught and released- being caught on medium fatheads on slip-floats or 1/8 oz jigs over deep wood or along deep coontail edges. Northland Crappie Thumper jigs also effective over like cover.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Wacky worms, pre-rigged plastic worms and 4" tubes were hot over the weekend for nice largemouth of 16-19". Spinnerbaits also effective over shallow weed flats of 5-8'.
Bluegills: Good. Finally some nice weather for panfish anglers. 1/2 crawlers, Leaf worms or waxies tipped on small jigs, mini mites outside standing cabbage or coontail close to deep water. Gills active due to warm up, take advantage while temps remain north of 60 deg.
Walleyes: Good-Fair. High pressure of weekend tough on walleye anglers. Flowages best bet with moving water helping to offset barometer. Redtails, black chubs and large fats worked slowly for tentative biters.
Northern Pike: Good-Fair. Action slowed during the weekend. Live bait best under tough conditions.
Yellow Perch: Fair. A few big perch caught by anglers targeting walleyes or crappies. Some reports of average catches of average size (7-8") using 1/2 crawlers up on shallow flats with sparse weeds in 6-10'.
Musky: Fair-Poor. Not liking high pressure and the warm up. Few reports. Smaller twitch baits and gliders. Smaller plastics also moving some lookers-but few takers.
Despite a gorgeous weekend, by Monday(9/29), cold weather is back. The coming week looks to have colder temps, rain and some wind. Not great for LMB, Bluegills- but should improve walleye and musky action- especially for meat as surface temps are sure to drop back from highs of 66 deg. Sunday, to upper 50's by mid week.
Thanks,
Kurt
Island Sportshop
824 Hwy 51 N.
Minocqua, WI 54548