Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Thanks to a holiday weekend, decent weather and the Wisconsin High School State Championship, the Lakeland area was busy with ice anglers this past weekend.

Fishing started out slow on Thursday and Friday as high pressure didn’t help anglers trying to catch uninterested fish. But Saturday, with a change in the weather, action improved.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good - Some very nice fish in the mid 30” range on the largest of shiners and suckers. 10-14’ depths brought about the largest fish where that water was available, but nice fish from shallower flats also came in.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Action dipped but picked up by weekend. Deep water still best with anglers using Tungsten jigs and spoons to work waxies and even plastics, as well as a decent minnow bite when weather allowed for tip-downs or inside shacks. Look for suspended fish 4-6’ up off bottom.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Similar action with perch preferring wigglers or red spikes on Hali jigs, Tungsten Demons and Chandeliers. A preference for small minnows was seen as bite improved.

Bluegill: Fair- Good – Improving catches in standing cabbage. Anglers doing well using #10 rockers tipped with plastics in red, maroon, black, purple and motor oil. #3 Fiskas tipped with small J&S plastics or Chena also good.

Walleye: Poor-Fair – Some improvement as weekend progressed (Big Walleyes caught and released on Minocqua chain of 28, 27 & 26 1/4”, but that fishery NOT open ‘til May 2020.) Best action deep on most lakes using 3” suckers, large fats on large rosies. Jigging Raps and Slab Raps accounted for several nice Eyes over weekend (18-23”)

Largemouth Bass: Poor-Fair – Medium shiners or large slender spoons best.

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association did an outstanding job running their State Championship here. Great organization and the participants did a great job of representing their high schools, their upbringing and the great sport of ice fishing. I encourage anyone reading our post to support this organization and the young anglers that participate. Our hats off to you!

Tournaments

2/24 Carroll Lake Ice Derby

Lake Tomahawk Family Ice Derby