Minocqua Ares Fishing Report 4-10-13
Ice travel conditions improved after Monday's rain. Truck and ATV travel are good. Ice is still thick (27-31"). The rain removed a lot of snow and slush, though knee high rubber boots (as well as cleats) are still a good idea for walking on ice.
Crappie: Good. Action improved with new weather (clouds, etc.). Nice catches of slabs (13-14") in bays with green weeds in 7-10' of water. Tip-downs with rosies/small crappie minnows scoring big, especially during late afternoons. Use plastic and Chena during the day to coax fish out of the weed bases. Glow, white, chartruese, and yellow on #8 rockers.
Perch: Good. Wigglers are the top bait. Stick to mud flats using Hali jigs, Swedish Pimples to kick up mud in 14-22'. Nice perch in 9-11" range also taking minnows on tip-downs in some areas.
Bluegills: Good. Small tungsten jigs (3mm) and tiny plastic (black, red, purple) or single spike in 5-8' weeds. On cloudy days check just under the ice for high rising gills.
Lots of ice with little melt in the forecast. Fishing improving, not much pressure.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop