Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Lot changed in a week. Some cooler nights brought the colors out on the trees. Nearing peak, yet still some green.

Fishing wasn’t quite up to the standards of past first weeks of October. Could be the added volume of water and the warm September has lake temps a bit above average for this time of year – or it could be the moon, not sure. Whatever it is that kept the bite off this past weekend will pass, with the promise of better October fishing to come.

Walleye: Good – Bite moved a bit deeper as surface temps cooled. A stronger swing towards minnows has been noticed. Deep humps on natural lakes, deep wood on Flowages.

Largemouth Bass: Good – While overall size hasn’t been great, some nice fish in the 18-20” size range caught by anglers casting big spinner baits for Musky. Overall, drop-shotting with 3” Craws/minnow plastics and Wacky worming cabbage pockets best.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Drop-shotting deep gravel humps of 22-38’ producing. Some Flowage fish up shallow on large chubs, spinner baits in browns, gold and orange. Some shallow big Smallies on spinner baits in shallow clear lakes, like all old spawn areas.

Musky: Good-Fair – An overall disappointing weekend (typically the best “ACTION” weekend of October). Saturday’s ultra low pressure followed by a high pressure Sunday could have had some effect. With not a lot of chasing of bucktails, twitch bait, suckers brought in the most action. Almost all reports to shop were of fish of 40-46” this past week.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Picked up during week, ended with weekend weather. Trollers on Flowages reporting some fish on small Hot N Tots, Flicker shads. On live bait, minnows along deep coontail edges, suspended 4-6’ up and around piers and piling in 12’16’.

Yellow Perch: Fair

Bluegill: Fair

Surface temps running 58-60 degrees as of 10/9. Could be dropping as last nights air temps in freezing range. Watch for signs of turn-over (mis-colored water, floating dead leaves/weeds) before you launch!