Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 11/13/23

With most outdoors people thinking gun deer season opener coming up, not a lot of anglers hitting the water.  Those that did were finding surface temps of 40-44.5 degrees on average.  Yet following last week’s cold snap, with ice forming on shallow ponds and bays had anglers thinking “early Ice”!  Now, with forecasts of highs in the 50’s (57 for 11/16) don’t expect it to cool off fast enough for “Deer stands and tip-ups” this year.

Musky:  Good – Actually fair to great depending on the day and the angler.  One angler boated three Muskies of 42, 48 and 49 ¾” on Saturday (11/11).  That’s an incredible feat, let alone single handed?  While suckers have scored the majority of the Skies caught, rubber baits have put some fish in the net also.  Unlike the angler with the 3-fish day, most anglers happy to get one opportunity as the colder water has fish slowing down. That particular day (11/11) had several reports of multi-opportunities (figures I was in the shop all day)!

Did see some anglers baiting up for a final shot at Walleye as it warmed Saturday.  Expect a few more as those who haven’t put their boats away will want to take advantage of the warm spell.

Deer opener this Saturday (11/18).  Rut starting to wind down, wish we had some snow (didn’t need it last week).  May see some Thanksgiving.

Mark your calendars for our 14th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza Dec 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  More deals than ever before on shacks, electronics, rods, reels, clothing and boots!

Stop in to sign up for our Big Buck Contest.  At least 1 in 6 entries will win a $25 gift certificate from one of our generous sponsors (even if you don’t get the “Big One”). Must sign up by shop close on Friday 11/17.

Thank you to our sponsors

Anthony’s Ristorante, Bad Bones BBQ, Black Bear Bar & Grill, Heart II Bar & Grill, Lake Tomahawk Meats, Monicals Pizza, Northfork Fin & Filet, Norwood Pines, Preuss’s Pub, Sheri’s Pub & Grub, TJ’s Butcher Block, Woodruff Ace Hardware, and Kurt’s Island Sport Shop