Minocqua area fishing report 2.2.10
Following a very cold stretch of weather this past week (lows to -16) looks as if things will warm up a bit and we should see a moderation in temps, some clouds and a little snow. Conditions should improve what would have to be described as poor fishing last week.
Perch: Fair. Even the deep water (to 30') anglers saw the high pressure affect their fishing. Start out with wigglers as bait on as small a jig as you can get down. Try using a pimple or kastmaster for weight, try a 4-5" dropper to offer bait. Single red spikes, even leaf worms working in depths. Shallow weed perch use medium fats to key in on larger fish.
Pike: Fair. Not very active mid-week, but improving by Feb 1st. Bigger pike (over 30") taking big shiners and suckers fished over weed tops in 5-10'. Don't be afraid to hold bait up high under ice.
Walleye: Poor - Fair. Bite improving by Saturday. Most action from 4pm and on (cold mornings unproductive). Suckers preferred by anglers fishing outside weed lines (12-14') and out over deep grass. Evening action in cabbage flats best to use medium shiners 1-2' off bottom. Jigging bite has been slow, but should improve with warmer temps by weeks end.
Whitefish: Fair. Fewer reports due to cold. Most action in 70-80' of water. #3, #4, and #5 pimples, Rattle spoons and plastics. Tip spoons with waxies or gulp alive.
Bluegill: Poor-Fair. Cold kept gill anglers indoors. Bite improving with moderate temps. Light line (1-3#_ with #10 darts tipped with moussees, #12 rockers with tiny piece of dark plastic.
Crappies: Poor. Anglers spotting lots of crappies in bays with 8-12' weeks, just weren't biting. Typical of cold, high pressure spells, watch for rising temps and drop in barometer to turn this species on. Finesse with #10 light colored rocker (yellow, white, gold) tipped with plastic. As bite increases set tip-downs with minnows 2-4' off bottom.
It was a dismal week for fishing but signs of a better bite are ahead.
The only bright side to the extreme cold - lake travel is very good to excellent. 3-4" of snow on ice, 15-17" average. Finally great for truck travel.
Kurt Justice
Kurts Island Sport Shop
