Minocqua area fishing report 3.22.11 Winter isn't through with us yet! Reports of a heavy snow storm to hit tonight (8-14" possible) and lows in the single digits on Thursday means ice will stay on but travel will get messy.
Fishing has been good overall. Some anglers reporting things getting a little tougher over the weekend, but not a bad bite.
Bluegills: Good to very good. Gills have supplied the best overall action with many anglers finding fish of 7 1/2-8 1/2" with a few 9+ working 7-12' weeds with #10 darts, #12 gill pills tipped with single spike or waxie. #8 rockers with Chena or plastics have also been working for droppers. Red, black and purple as well as motor oil best colors.
Crappies: Good. Still some deep water crappies coming on tip-downs baited with rosie reds (18-30'). Early am and late pm a move to weeds near deep water has anglers icing crappies of 11-13". Tip-downs working here as well. slow dropping plastics also good. Shrimpos, #10 rockers and Gapens ice lice scoring well. Crappies in weeds of 12' and less responding best to the plastic/chena methods.
Perch: Good. Less action over the mud flats as perch seem to be moving up in along weeds to feed up before they spawn. Wigglers and red spikes still best over deep water. For weed relating perch use minnows or fry shaped jigs/spoon tipped with waxies or minnow heads. Nice heavy fish in the 8-10" range with enough 10-12" fish here and there to keep things exciting.
With threat of lots of heavy wet snow coming our way, access on and off lakes could get difficult. Lakes still averaging 24" (lows of 18 to highs of 30") but weight of wet snow plus single digit low could mean crust on top of slush. Wear tall boots and be careful driving.
Kurt Justice
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com
