Minocqua Area Fishing Report 4-30-2013
I wish we had some good news for the opener, but, we don't!
Despite a third day of 60+ weather, we aren't loosing ice fast enough to insure open water come May 4th. On one measurement from Friday evening, April 26 until early Sunday morning April 28, we had lost only 1" of ice. A measurement of 24" of ice as of today (4/29) on Lake Minocqua means we have a ways to go. A loop from Minocqua through Boulder junction, to Land O'Lakes, Conover and Star Lake on 4/25 saw measurements of 23-28". I have received a few reports of up to 30". Shorelines have started to recede, especially on North and East shorelines. Most boat landing are shot - unless on the south ends of lakes. Access around edges of boat landings via foot, ATV and snowmobile are usable - once away from shore ice.
As of this report (4/29), my own personal opinion is we won't have enough open water to fish by boat. They Highway O bridge above the Rainbow Flowage below the Lake of the Falls Dam ABOVE the Turtle Flambeau Flowage (which still had 27" as of Sunday), the Manitowish River by Murray's Landing and possibly down in Tomahawk where reports are the Channel of Mohawskin is open, but Nokomis still has a lot of ice on it.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com