Minocqua Fishing Report

Minocqua Wisconsin - Fishing Report

Cold moved in at the end of the week through Saturday to help ice production.  Kept more than a few people off the ice.  Snow on Monday 5-6" but plenty of ice to support it.  Average thickness is now 15-16". 

Walleye:  Fair-good.  Windows of opportunity seem smaller.  Dusk, 9-10pm and a few anglers scoring between 2-3am.  Deeper water action (some in as deep as 45') requiring suckers, large #7 or #9 jigging raps.  Big fish (26-30") but less action than earlier in the month.  For eaters stick to weed edges of 8-14' at dusk with shiners, #5 jigging raps, #5 Chubby darters or #4 pimples with minnow head. 

Perch:  Fair-good.  Action over mud flats heating up, still not fast but nice 8-10" perch over 16-18' mud on pimples, flickers tipped with wigglers.  Bright or glow tungsten jigs help get single red spikes down when perch in negative mood.  

Pike:  Fair.  Small fish still fairly active, but few larger fish reported, tops being a 30" this week.  Shiners, river shiners, suckers held 18" off bottom below tip-ups.  Rig small spinner blade foot above bait for added attraction. 

Bluegills:  Fair.  Cold held back anglers for this species.  High pressure on Thursday and Saturday didn't help.  When it's like this, go light line 1-2# test and small #14 jigs with small plastic or single spike or moussee. 

Crappie:  Poor-Fair.  Few reports.  Too cold for tip-downs, slow dropping. 

Good new is with an average of 15" most lakes are good for truck travel.  This weeks forecast with lows in the teens, highs in the 20's should keep snow as snow (not slush) so travel by trucks should be good.  

Kurt Justice
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com