Minocqua Area Fishing Report
By Professional Guide Kurt Justice
With the weather forecast calling for warming temps plus clouds - maybe some rain - things look very good for the gamefish opener this weekend. Slowly rising water temps are bringing panfish and bass into the shallows to warm up. Insect hatches, signs of minnows and small perch are pulling walleyes, pike and muskies in also. The warmth and the cloud cover should keep fish fairly shallow (8' and less) and provide for a very good opener.
Crappies: Very good - Excellent. Pattern of deeper water(10-12') during cold mornings and shallow water (2-6') during warming afternoons has continued. For deeper fish - crappie minnows below slip-floats has worked very well. Small 1/32 oz jig heads with an imitation minnow (Gulp or Impulse) very effective. In the shallows keep split shot off line and let minnow swim free below thin stick floats. Nice fish over 13" this week. Lots of 10-12" fish.
Bluegills: Good-Very good. The warm afternoons have put gills up in the shallows. Waxies, small worms, even crappie minnows and artificials meant for crappies are catching nice gills in 2-5' of water.
Perch: Good. Most of what is being caught are males (some still carrying milt) that haven't had a chance to spawn (and won't) in shallows of 4-6' with some weed cover. Anglers are finding insects such as dragonfly larvae and also small leeches in the bellies of these perch - a good indication of how the warming water is bringing these food sources out into the shallows.
While the water temps weeks ago had hit the mid 50's around here, cooler temps lowered most lakes to the high 40 degree mark. We are now seeing temps creep back up into the low 50 degree mark. That is a great early spring temp. At the low to mid 50 degree mark, walleyes seem very eager to feed up following the spawn. If clouds and warmth continue, expect a good active opener.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com