Minocqua area fishing report

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Minocqua Area Fishing Report

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Minocqua Area Fishing Report

We’re back…

Per usual, April showed us what April can be.  Cold and wind this past week disrupted the nice warm up that seemed to be occurring.  With limited options to the fishing here in the Northwoods (panfish and catch & release Bass) what was a slowly improving bite came to a crashing halt.

 No worries, not a lot of anglers take advantage of the super early open water opportunities for panfish at times like these.  But it can be productive under the right conditions.

 On warming day, with air temps in the 50’s and 60’s, Crappies and Gills will congregate in the shallows to warm themselves and feed on invertebrates (Perch have or will be spawning further out away from these areas).  These Gills and Crappies are not spawning, as some think, just collecting heat to help with the development of their eggs.  These fish can be in as little as one foot of water and very spooky.  Stay as far back as a long cast will allow to offer up waxies, leaf worms, small minnows or tiny tube jigs.  Heavy, weighted floats, such as Rocket Bobbers, will help with these casts.

 Forecast of highs in the 50’s, maybe low 60’s with bright sun will be best.

We are extending our line sale through April 28th, so take advantage and get freshly spooled.

 As a reminder, the Lake Tomahawk/Lake Minocqua Chain will NOT be open to hook and line angling for Walleye at the time of the opener.  In fact, if the LDF tribe does not spear Walleyes (they have not as of this writing) then the chain will remain closed until the 2025 opener.


As Walleyes For Tomorrow has asked in the past, please refrain from targeting Walleyes on the chain as we continue to work to rehabilitate the population.

 Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop
https://www.kurtsislandsports.com

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Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 4/29/24

On the cusp of the 2024 opener!  First opener in three seasons we haven’t been concerned with ice out.  For the most part Walleye spawning is done.  Water temps are averaging 43-46 degrees.  Cool nights (in the 30’s) has kept the warmer days from heating up too quickly.  We have received some rain, not as much as we need but enough to bring lake and Flowage levels up.

Walleye anglers for the opener should for the most part be targeting post spawn Walleyes.  This is a time where your temperature gauge on your electronics becomes very important.  Differences in 1-2 degrees surface temp, from one side of a lake to another, can make all the difference in fish activity.  Wind will push the warmest water (at the surface) across lakes lowering the temperature or the lee side while raising the temperature on the windward side and having a distinct effect on fish activity at this time of year.

 Look for any newly emerging green weeds in 2-8’ of water.  This is where insects and minnows will be that draws these hungry post spawn Walleyes in to feed.  A light weight 1/32-1/16 oz jig tipped with a lively fathead minnow, dace, chub or even leech as the water warms into the low 50’s will work great.  Slip-bobbers rig with the same live baits as well as shallow running stick baits in the 3-4” length such as floating Rapalas, Storm Jr Thundersticks and Smithwick Rattlin Rouges are also a great choice.  Just Work these shallow running baits just over the new weed tops.

 Northern Pike should also be actively feeding as it’s also the post spawn period for them.  The earlier mentioned stick baits as well as 3-4” swimbaits or a good ol’ jig and chub on a wire leader is always a good choice.

 Yellow Perch will also be post spawn.  Typically, the larger Perch will be scattered throughout green weeds.  They really love dragonfly larvae, but will eat minnows, leeches and crawlers just as well.

Crappies have mostly been holding out in 6-8’ of water unless warm sunny days pull them into the 1-2’ shallows.  Tiny tubes, hair jigs or small minnows have been working best.  Any wood in the water will help collect some heat and draw them in a little better.

Bluegills have been seen sunning themselves on warm days in the shallows.

 Largemouth Bass are working dark mud bottomed areas for the most part, though I did get a report of big LMB holding up on shallow rocks, fish to 20”, where water was warmer.

Smallmouth Bass anglers finding Smallies on rock/gravel breaks using Ned rigs and hair jigs.

 Overall, water temp will be key.  Forecast for rain/clouds should extend the bite on opening day.  Warmer weather on Sunday should bode well for all species as waters start to warm up again.

Walleye Fishing on the Minocqua Chain

As of Friday, April 26th, the Lac Du Flambeau band of Chippewa’s exercised their right to spear the Lake Tomahawk/Minocqua Chain.

So all hook and line anglers understand, there is a process to go through for the DNR to be able to open the catch and keep season for non-tribal harvest.  The chain WILL NOT BE OPEN at the start of Walleye opener May 4th.

The DNR is working on getting a special meeting with the Natural Resource Board (NRB) to work out details to open the season.  Once this meeting is scheduled, make sure to have your comments heard as to what you’d like to see done (i.e. open season, remain catch & release etc)
 
Please respect the rules and refrain from keeping Walleyes from the chain until the season opens!

https://www.kurtsislandsports.com/