Minocqua Area Fishing Report 5-1-13
Hard to believe it’s April 30th and our lakes are still covered with an average of 24” of ice. The pond behind our shop is approximately 15% ice free. We use this as an indicator as once the pond is out, typically Lake Minocqua follows in 7-10 days. The rains forecasted for the past couple of days never materialized into much. Today is the last of the much needed warm temps. While things for the opener don’t look promising, fishing (ice) has been good for those willing to walk out.
Crappies: Good. Moving in to shallower weeds where adjacent to open shorelines or moving water, sometimes as high as just under the ice at peak bites to tight to weed roots when needed to be coaxed. Slow dropping Little Cecils, #8 rockers, Russian Hooks and Bro’s bloodworms tipped with waxies, Chena and plastics (silver, white, yellow have been lately) doing best. Tip-downs and small minnows also taking nice slabs to 14”. Take a lantern and stay after dark, fishing minnows high up for larger crappies.
Perch: Good. Scattered, but showing signs of moving into spawning areas (weed covered bottoms) from the 14-18’ mud/sand flats they had been holding in. Minnows on tip-downs, pimples, Buckshot spoons and Forage minnows tipped with waxies. Gulp and Impulse baits in shapes of mayfly larvae, crickets or any bug profile also producing.
Bluegills: Good. Larger #8 teardrops tipped with spikes or waxies in 4-8’ weeds. Fish mostly tight to bottom. Rockers (#10) with Wedgee plastics in red, purple, black and motor oil best. Gill bites better than perch and crappie bites since they bite better through the day vs. perch/crappie giving windows at dawn/dusk and possibly short periods at mid-day.
Anglers reporting lots of bass action while fishing panfish. Also, walleyes showing up on lures meant for panfish.
As for live bait availability for the opener, we will have: Crappie minnows, rosie reds (limited), Medium Fatheads, Large Fatheads, Walleye Suckers, Mud Minnows, Shiners, Leaf worms, Nightcrawlers, Waxies, Spikes and Wigglers. We WON’T have redtail chubs, blacktail chubs, rainbow chubs, dace or leeches until available. With the cold and ice, these wild baits have either not run up into the streams or can’t be reached. We will carry them AS SOON as they are available.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com