Minocqua Area Fishing Report 10/1/12
By Professional Guide Kurt Justice
A week of beautiful weather, though cold in the morning, kept water temps in the low to upper 50's. A few reports of smaller lakes turning over, but for the most part, things have been very stable. A little too much sun and high pressure, but the stable weather has led to overall good fishing.
Crappies: Very Good. Lots of numbers but varying sizes. Loads of 7-9"ers (let 'em grow) but enough 11-14"ers to make a few meals. Minnows under slip-bobbers best. Small plastics also effective. A few slabs (12-14"ers) on small crank baits.
Musky: Very good. Despite the high pressure and sun, very nice fish of 44 to 49" this week on suckers. Gliders, Jerks and twitch baits producing as well. Even topwater baits (a 45"er on a Top Raider on Thursday), which is not unusual before lakes turn-over.
Pike: Very good. Lots of action on jig/chub combos. Casting daredevils, #4 Mepps and shallow running cranks also good. Watch for shallow baitfish (perch) to key in on active pike.
Walleye: Good. Sunny days a little tougher on this species than others. Deep gravel humps of 22-25' holding nice catches on redtails, suckers or black chubs on 1/8 or 1/4 oz jigs or Lindy rigs. Weedless jigs and redtails on flowages in wood of 8-12' deep.
Perch: Good. Live bait (crawlers, minnows) in 8-14' over short weed flats and drowned wood. Nice fish of 9-12'. Also frozen soft shells, sliced in half and put on 1/8 oz jigs or below slip floats.
Smallmouth bass: Good. Activity from late morning till late afternoon along mid-lake humps. Chubs or suckers of 4-5" or Lindy rigs on 1/4 oz jigs best bet.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Work weeds (inside weed edges on warm days) with pre-rigged worms, wacky worms and light jigs with tubes. Big fish of 18-20" being caught surprisingly shallow. Fish feeding on small perch.
Bluegills: Good. Best from late morning on. Warming shallows with soft bottoms and weeds in 4-6'. Waxies, worms and even small leeches producing.
With some cold morning (temps down to 24 degrees) at early mornings, but daytime highs in the 60's keeping things leveled off.
These next two to three weeks are typically peak for musky fishing, especially on suckers. No reason to think it shouldn't continue this fall.
BTW: Tree colors very close to peaking
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports
www.kurtsislandsports.com
715-356-4797