Minocqua area fishing reportHeavy snow Saturday night through Sunday put most fishing on hold. The accumulation of heavy snow will mean access on many lakes will be tough for a while. Most ATV use will be done until trails get rebuilt - for now it's going to be snowmobiles & maybe some full size pick-ups. This snow will halt ice production and cause slush problems.
Walleyes: Excellent. Good numbers and some big fish (one 10 pounder, one 27 1/4", 9 1/2 pound pig with a 17 3/4" girth), lots of eaters (15-20") reported. Best action dusk until a little after - but some good fish being caught just prior to dawn (6am-7am). Most action from shallow lakes in weeds 7-9', but deep water lakes giving up fish on off shore humps - some topping out at 25'. Shiners on the shallow weed fish. Suckers best on deeper water eyes.
Northern Pike: Very good. Big baits, shiners or suckers best (no frozen smelt this year!). Larger lakes best for big fish (28-36") while some smaller lakes (Carrol, Madeline) good for action.
Bluegills: Fair but improving. A few anglers reporting limit, most making due with a few hard fought 6-8 fish bags. Anglers reporting mostly small fish, some anglers finding better gills by moving deep.
Perch: Fair/improving. Perch coming into play more as anglers finding fish in 6-8' of water taking small minnows intended for crappies. This new snow could move this bite deeper.
Crappies: Fair. Fishing for this species has really fallen off. A few anglers on Minocqua lake catching a fish here and there, but it's tough going to end up with 4-6 fish 10-12" in length. Minnows on tip-downs still working. Waxies on a slow dropping #8 moon glow also good.
This snow will have a definite impact on the fishing and the access on the lakes. With less light expect bites to move deeper. Make sure your boots are waterproof!
Thank you to all readers of our reports & for those of you that help add information and answer questions. We hear from many of you and we're glad you appreciate this forum.
Have a safe and Merry Christmas!
Kurt, Christy, & Beth
Kurt's Island Sport Shop
www.kurtsislandsports.comMinocqua area fishing report
Stable weather has helped keep the early ice bite going. The early morning temperatures have been 14-17 degrees, which is warm in relation to the sub-zero morning temps we've been getting.
Walleye: Very good to excellent. Limits of walleyes coming from late afternoon to early evening bites on Minocqua Chain, Big Arb, Muskellunge, Katherine. Tip-ups with walleye suckers best, but on certain lakes shiners better. Best sized fish (to 26") coming from anglers using jigging rappalas, chubby darters.
Northern Pike: Very good. Numbers and size. Large shiners or suckers producing good pike in the 30-36" range. Mid morning best on cold mornings while dawn better on warmer mornings. Bays with standing weeds and panfish in 7-10' best.
Crappies: Very good. Bite back on after slowing mid week (due to largemouth bass invasion). Tip-downs baited with crappie minnows best (also producing bonus walleyes, pike and LMB). They seem to prefer meat, but some anglers also scoring well on plastic.
Largemouth Bass: Very good. Rare inclusion on a winter fishing report, but too many bass being caught to ignore. Shiners on tip-ups, but shaking buckshot spoons also hot.
Bluegill: Fair to Good. Many standard lakes not producing (such Allequash, Madelien) but enough action on bays of larger lakes to make worth while. Moussees, waxies, plastic on #10 Marmooskas and Ratsos.
Yellow Perch: Good. Not as many reports due to good gamefishing, but anglers sticking to 6-8' weeds finding nice 7-9" perch with the occassional 10-11"ers on #2 Swedish Pimples or small Northland Forage minnows.
Warm weather (high 20's to low 30's) won't help make more ice, but will make for great fishing conditions. Ice average of 10-12".
Kurt Justice
Kurts Island Sports
www.kurtsislandsports.com
