Minocqua area fishing report 6-11-13
What looks to have been the last week of unsettled weather for a while...? Fishing success seemed to follow the same up and down, can't seem to get a finger on it pattern that plagued the weathermen.
Had some excellent fishing, followed by good fishing, followed by -what just happened? Warmer weather, let's hope things move nicely into summer patterns soon.
Pike: Good to Very good. Jig and minnow combos meant for walleyes accounted for most of the action while anglers targeting pike reported nice fish in the upper 20" range hitting spinnerbaits and shallow shad raps.
Crappies: Fair. On many lakes they missed their chance to spawn. Most catches now in 8-12' of weeds, wood using small minnows on slip-floats. Don't be surprised to find soft, yellow/orange egg masses in the females; they will be reabsorbing these eggs as the summer progresses.
Musky: Good-Fair. Bucktails : small 5-6" twitch baits (cranes, Big Game) over weed tops in 6-10' flats.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Lots of action from smaller fish in shallows- a few big bass( for Northern Wisconsin) of 18-20" being caught. Twitch baits (x-Raps, Husky Jerks etc.) accounting for best action.
Walleye: Very good to Fair. Had some of the best catches (and releases) of the season followed by this past Monday's walleye-less day. With weed growth and water temps both below normal, most reported catches came from areas of new, yet sparse weed growth in 12-14' of water (shallower where the water was darker). Jig and chub/suckers accounted for multiple releases to 28". After dark, anglers casting the new Scatter Rap floaters scoring on mid- 20" fish while working shoreline flats.
Smallmouth Bass: Very Good. Season opens Saturday- Please leave those big females go! The season opens early and the spawn is late. Top water plugs (chug-bugs, jitterbugs) and creature baits in shallows.
Bluegill: Fair-Good. Improving with warming lake temps. Bug hatches are bringing bite to surface, try small dry flies (mosquito, gnat imitations) or small poppers on windless days.
Perch: Good-Fair. Bite slowed. Some nice catches of 9-11" fish from drowned wood (trees/cribs) using thunderbugs should pick back up as water warms.
After a week of temps hovering from 58-61 degrees, Monday saw lakes begin to warm nicely; South East winds plagued us most of the week (never a good wind). Bait supplies of chubs and leeches should improve by weeks end. Road work on 51 still making travel a pain, but should also improve by weeks end.
Kurt Justice
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
715-356-4797