Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Despite some cold temps over the weekend, fishing action has remained strong – though not in the early hours when air temps dropped into mid-upper 30’s and water temps fell into low 60’s. But it’s June and fish got active by mid-mornings as temps rose and fish wanted to feed.

Bluegill: Very Good – Pods of bedding Gills in the shallows, eagerly taking poppers, flys, thunderbugs, tiny jigs, small leeches and worms. Biologist are now telling us that those big bull males are just as, if not more, important as the big girls. They protect the genetics of those larger fish to hatch and survive the first few days of life. Have fun, but be selective, save some for future fun.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Bedding has started on some lakes. Top-water action a blast using Torpedos, Chug Bugs, Skitter Pops, Zara Puppys and Phantom Spiders. Tube jigs, 3 & 4” Wacky Worms and ZMan Ticklerz, Crawz and Finesse worms also hot!

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – While most bedding is over, Great action on tube jigs, 3” swim baits and X-Raps outside of previous spawning areas. Set slip-floats with large leeches in similar location 6-10’ down for fun light tackle action.

Musky: Very Good-Good – Smaller, fast moving bucktails (or tube tails) twitch baits and 6” gliders, hot! Top-water lures will make big splash (pun intended) as waters warm by week’s end.

Crappie: Good – Work tall weeds in 7-12’ using small twister tails, Mini Mites or crappie minnows on 1/32 oz jigs. Fan cast weed beds, working small beetle spins through weed tops to locate fish first.

Northern Pike: Good – Bladed baits such as spinner baits, chatter baits and #3 & #4 Mepps spinners. 4” swim baits and Daredevils also good choice just at weed top level. Jigging or soaking suckers and chubs working very well with the cool (below 70 degree) water temps.

Walleye: Good – Bite had been best in 5-8’ weeds, but fish moved deeper (10-14’) with colder weather. Large-Xlarge leeches best on jigs or under slip-floats. Casting long, minnow style cranks at night into shallows of 4-6’ scoring nicer Walleyes (most in the release slot of 20-24”)!

Yellow Perch: Good – Not a lot of attention, but nice “eater” Perch (9-10+) being caught on lakes in 6-10’ weeds and on Flowages in 14-18’ drowned wood on medium fatheads and medium leeches.

The LacDuFlambeau Tribe is set to open the tribal landings starting June 17th at midnight for those wishing to fish those waters.

Temps in the low 80’s should make for a great Father’s Day Weekend. Get DAD out and take him fishing!