Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Been a great Christmas / New Year week for ice anglers.

Access to lakes is excellent and the little snow (2-3”) we received last week got washed away by the following rain. A light snow after the rain put a little grip to the ice. Low night times temps in the single digits added a little thickness. Could be my age, but still can’t recommend driving trucks or cars till ice thickens to 14-16”, but with forecast the middle of this week of highs in single digits, That may not be far off.

Walleye: Very Good

The past four days have reports of good action on tip-ups using suckers for bait. Jigging Slab Raps, jigging Raps, Flutter spoons and slender spoons have also been working as the fish have been aggressive in 12-18’ from 3:30 -7pm and again pre-dawn till 8ish.

Crappies: Very Good

Bite has been on as anglers utilizing tip-downs with small minnows reporting nice slabs of 11-13”. Slow dropping lethal Cecils tipped with waxies as well as #4 tungsten jigs with bright colored plastics working best.

Northern Pike: Very Good

Flags popping from early morning on. Big shiners and suckers run along 8-14’ weed edges best.

Yellow Perch: Good

In weedy flats use bulk on your jigs to try to keep the smaller perch off. Out over mud flats pimples and venam glow jigs tipped with spikes on wigglers.

Largemouth Bass:

Good Medium shiners on tip-ups and jigs with waxies meant for crappies and gills.

Bluegill: good

Lots of “action” gills this week. Work a tungsten jigs (#3 or #4) with piece of red, purple or motor oil colored plastic tight to bottom to entice larger gills. Cabbage flats of 6-10’ best.

After several spotty weekends of ice fishing, it was great to hear anglers having such good success. Despite a few reports of quads and snowmobiles going through in areas of questionable ice, overall has been mostly good, solid ice cover.

Kurt Justice

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop

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