Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Wintery weather! The type we’ve grown unaccustomed to this year. High wind, sub-zero temps and 5-6” of very light, fluffy snow slowed anglers this past week. The cold may have helped some anglers as reports of 14-16” of ice on many lakes has eased the worry of truck travel.

Some of the mid-winter dull-drums have hit, but overall, due to a very mild winter, conditions still very good for anglers.

Crappies: Fair-Good – Anglers still finding some weed related fish in 8-12’ using tip-downs with minnows or dropping Lethal Cecils tipped with waxies. More basin fish being caught over mud flats of 16-24’. Tungsten jigs tipped with waxies, glow T-Rips and tip-downs baited with small rosies best.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Anglers finding smaller windows of activity, pre-dawn, dusk and later. Jigging Chubby Dartors, 3/8 oz Z-Vibs, Tikka Minnows and Jigging Raps tipped with minnow heads on off shore humps at low light. Some tip-up action on suckers in same areas. Anglers in weeds reporting better results using golden shiners.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Anglers reporting action on shiners, suckers, hot dogs and large frozen smelt. (Turns out some Pike won’t bite hot dogs that aren’t kosher…who knew? - haha)

Bluegill: Fair-Good - Mid-mornings through mid-afternoons best. Small dark #3 tungsten jigs tipped with mousses or spikes. Most Gills weed related, yet anglers fishing Crappies over mud in 16-24’ picking up occasional fish.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Movement out over mud basin improves as Perch search for midge and mayfly larvae at this time. Clam Bomb Spoons, Pinhead Jigging Mino, Hali jigs and Pimples to deliver red spikes or wigglers best. Start in 16-18’, but depths as deep as 28-32’ holding Perch on some lakes.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – A few reports of incidental catches on medium shiners and jigs meant for other species.

Despite recent cold building ice, caution still advised. Check conditions, especially if you are first out on the lake.