Minocqua Area Fishing Report 7-8-2013
Good morning, here is the local fishing report from Kurt’s Island Sports.We knew it was coming! Wish it wasn’t! The big (hexagenia ) mayflies are hatching! This major hatch-coming to a Northwoods Lake near you- is a killer for the walleye bite on your favorite lake for 3-4 days after it happens. Usually finished by the 2nd-3rd week of June, this year’s late ice out and cool weather had prolonged the inevitable. Go chase something else for a while...
Smallmouth Bass: Good. Saw some still on beds last week (late). Not moving to deep rocks yet. Mostly in 8-14’ gravel, some cruising shorelines in early A.M. hitting small x-Raps. Otherwise key on those 8-14’ depths using tubes, senkos, leeches or crawlers.
Musky: Very good. Lots of movers, some takers. Bucktails, swimbaits best. Work outside and over weed beds. Muskies and pike are unaffected by the Hex Hatch.
Crappie: Fair. Action- but small. Lots of little (6-8”) in 6-8’ weeds on small minnows, small Road Runners Mimic Fry, Charlie Bees just tickling weed tops.
Northern Pike: Very Good. As waters hover in high 60- low 70 degree range, pike have been very active chasing Boonie Bait Spinnerbaits, Chatter Baits, Mepps #4 spinners and Live Forage Swim Baits. Work any cabbage beds of 5-9’. With large chubs/suckers hard to get, most anglers turning to artificials and doing very well with many fish this past week in the 30-37” class- one of near 42”.
Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good. Should be better mostly smaller fish. Pre-rigged plastic worms, #3 Mepps, 1/8 oz spinnerbaits. Some slop action on frogs (plastic) towards dusk, need to see warmer temps.
Walleye: Poor-Fair. After such great bites last week, tough to take now. By weekend, lakes hatching should be cleared for takeoff- with mayflies gone, one less item on a walleye’s menu.
Perch: Fair-good. Slowed from last week. Mud bottoms with wood best in 8-12’. ½ crawler or medium fathead minnows. Drift slip-floats or lindy rigs to locate, and then anchor up.
Bluegill: Fair. Should be great. Cool weather and storms keeping larger fish from setting up beds in many areas. Those that have bedded staying put. Sponge spiders, mini mites and gulp alive crickets scoring.
Water temps sitting fairly constant (69-71 degrees), storms last week added to already high water levels. Summer patterns behind, but should be kicking in.
Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports
715-356-4797