Minocqua Area Fishing Report 4-17-2013
Little change since last week’s report – except maybe the odds we won’t see open water for the walleye opener! Ice thickness remains in the 27-31” range: Minocqua Lake at 29”, Indian Bay on the Willow at 36”. Sunday morning temp was 11 degrees, high that day in the upper 30’s. Actually had good weather for most of the weekend. Good numbers of anglers and better fishing reports.
Crappies: Very Good. While some of the traditional late ice crappie spots have fallen silent (Big Arb), other lakes are producing good numbers and/or big slabs. Tip-downs with minnows have been best just before and after dark. During the day Little Cecils, Moxy jigs and #8 rockers tipped with plastic (orange, white, glow), waxies or Chena slow dropped have produced. Bays with green cabbage best. Inlets with some moving water coming in are even better.
Perch: Very Good. Best bite still deep over mud flats of 18-22’. While males are showing signs of milking already, the thick ice must be holding these fish deep. These fish feeding heavily on mayfly larvae (wigglers), but also taking minnows/rosies on tip-downs. Heavy tungsten jigs, pimples, Halis needed to get down deep quickly. Nice catches of 9-11”ers.
Bluegills: Very Good. Anglers finding gills locating in bays with weeds in 5-8’, also some nicer gills suspended over sandgrass in 12-15’. Small dark jigs tipped with black, purple, red and motor oil plastics as well as the standard waxie, spike or chena. Bigger gills (8+”) towards dusk. Small plastic “creature” baits by Northland Impulse and Berkley Gulp also very good.
Lots of people calling the shop asking (and being shocked to find out) we probably won’t be ice free by May 4th (opener). Panfishing should be great and jigging and tip-ups outside known spawning areas should be hot for walleyes….don’t put your ice gear away yet….we haven’t!!!
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com