Minocqua area fishing report
Cold weather late last week helped build ice quickly on the lakes that were already skimmed over. Even Lake Minocqua finally, completely froze up Friday (11/30). Saturday (12/1) we received 7" of relatively heavy snow. This could pose a problem with slush unless it gets very cold and dry again. Some lakes, flowages and bays reported 5-7" of ice, so the early ice season is off and running.
Walleye: Excellent. Anlgers reporting hot action during daylight hours on the flowages. Lakes producing from dawn until 10am, then again from 3pm until dark and after. Walleyes hungry, so there hasn't been a strong preference between shiners and suckers. Nice fish to 6 1/2#s reported.
Northern Pike: Excellent. Most anglers targeting walleyes, but even those anglers getting good action from very active fish.
Panfish: Wind has kept most panfishermen at bay. The focus has been on the hot, early-ice walleye.
We should not loose any ice this week. Hopefully slush won't become a problem. Most anglers stuck to tip-ups this weekend, but early ice is a great time to jig raps and shad raps.
Kurt Justice
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.com