Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Another weekend of wind, cold, rain, sleet and snow. Big fall bites have just not developed well. Blame could be on conditions being rough for boat control, but, even then fish should be being caught.
Musky: Fair. Not much for reports over the weekend. Pressure put on smaller lakes as large lakes extremely tough to fish Friday and Saturday with high winds. Suckers on quick-set rigs best. Suicks, Smity’s, Bobbie jerk baits moved most fish. Casting rubber baits out over open water also producing.
Walleye: Fair. Deep water bite best. Chubs (if available) and suckers fished along transition breaks in 40-45’ producing larger fish (20-28”). Use 3/8 oz to ½ oz jigs or Lindy rigs. Look for Flowage walleyes to be stacking in deepest holes taking large fatheads on 1/8 to 1/4oz jigs.
Pike: Fair-Good. Few are targeting this species, yet nice pike in the low to mid 30” range taking baits (from suckers to suicks) meant for musky.
Smallmouth: Fair. Deep water, big fish on chubs/suckers or Lindy rigs.
No reports for other species. The wind had a big effect on angler participation.
Surface temps this weekend ranged from 48 degrees (Trout, Fence), 46 degrees (Squirrel, Big Arbor Vitae) to as low as 40-41 degrees on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage.
New moon period for coming weekend should help.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop