Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Though We lost some ice last week due to the warm weather, since Saturday (3/21) cold temps have held the ice we have in check. This is leaving the anglers with 16-24" of ice on average to keep fishing on. While trucks are being driven on the south end of Big Arbor Vitae, it's not really a good idea. It's best to use ATV's, snowmobiles or foot traffic from here on out. Shoreline access has been relatively good, probably due to the lack of snow for run off. Overnight temps in the low 20's firming things up nicely now. A threat of snow for Tuesday/ Wednesday (3/24-3/25) could complicate matters, but lows of 10-13 deg. for the next couple of nights after should help conserve the ice we have through the weekend. Forecast for highs of 60 deg. for April 1st. will remove any snow and start the ice melting procedure again.
Bluegills: Good-Fair. Oddly... fishing for all three panfish species got tougher as the weekend wore on. Lots of reports of anglers marking fish, but not able to get bites. Diamond Jigs (in black) tipped with a red spikes or dark colored plastic have helped a couple of local anglers to nice catches of gills towards dusk. Ants (in black) have also been working. On tough bites, dark colors seem to be best. The best depths in 8-12' of water.
Yellow Perch: Good- Fair. Several anglers gave similar reports of marking- and moving perch, but reluctance to bite. Mud flats still holding perch, use heavy spoons / jigs to get down quickly- tip with wigglers - red spikes. Tip-downs with minnows also working, but action slowed. Weed areas for perch producing nice plump fish of 8-11" using VMC waxie jigs tipped with wax worms. Depth of 8-12' best for weed bites.
Crappies: Good-Fair. Disappointing... as this should be great crappie fishing.
While many anglers using tip-downs complained of very little action, it was the slow droppers, fluttering #8 & #10 rockers dressed with chartreuse, yellow or white plastics as well as light colored Purist Jigs that worked up decent catches. Some fish found just under the ice to 12' down over weeds. Deep mud flat fish are best on tip-downs / minnows. Night fishing using glow jigs or glow hooks also working.
The hot bite will return- a few anglers actually did very well fishing away from the popular areas. Creepers have been a must, snow on ice will help- but won't last.
Kurt,
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI