Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Nice, warm weather with plenty of ice to go around greeted anglers this past weekend. Unfortunately, so did some stiff wind! Following a very good weekend prior, fishing slowed during mid-week but picked up somewhat by the weekend. While Crappies are usually the favorite target in March, it was Perch that seemed to provide the most consistent action.

Yellow Perch: Poor-Good – After a slow mid-week, action over the mud picked up for those in 16-24’ using wigglers or red spikes on Kastmasters, Halis or Pimples. Tip-downs with rosies also popped some nice Perch.

Crappies: Poor-Good – Following a frustratingly terrible mid-week, anglers started finding active fish very early (dawn) and again just an hour or so before and after sundown. K-rips, #2 jigging Raps and #2 Pimples for anglers targeting deep water Crappies (17-28’). While anglers finding Crappies in weeds of 10-14’ used Lethal Cecils, #8 Rockers or Bullflys to present pink, white or silver plastics or waxies. Reports of nice slabs to 14”. Tip-downs doing well, but not hot yet, using rosie reds.

Bluegills: Poor-Good – Action improved by weekend with anglers scoring using waxies, mousses or beaver tail on Kenders, jig flys and #3 Fiskas. Wind made slow dropping tough so while plastics normally do well, the live bait out performed due to conditions.

The warm temps and wind have taken the snow cover off the lakes, holes are staying open, saw a few signs of water running down holes. Access is still good, 21-24” of ice on average. There has been truck travel but don’t advise. With cool temps overnights and a cool down on Fri/Sat we should see good, fishable ice for another 10 days to 2 weeks.