Minocqua Area Fishing Report

More late October-like weather with wind, rain and SNOW, made for tougher conditions than most are used to for the first weekend of October. Water temps ranged from 52- 57 degrees putting many lakes right in the midst of turn over. Despite the finger chilling wind, some nice reports, especially from the esox anglers, came in.

Musky: Very Good-Fair – Things got tougher closer to the weekend. Prior to, nice reports of fish on top-water (Flap tails, Hawg wobblers), gliders (Smity & Phantom) and twitch baits such as Cranes and Bucher Shallow Raiders. Large swim baits also effective. Good sucker reports, as well as Musky hitting trout. Call ahead for quantities as suckers still limited in supply. Several fat fish from 46-48” C&R this past week from our guided clients.

Northern Pike: Very Good-Fair – Most incidentals of Pike caught by Musky anglers on swim baits. Fish of 34-36” tops, but plenty of others in the 26-30” range.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Turn over affecting these already finicky fish. Lakes off during turn over, Flowages best choice. Use jig and large fats or small chubs. Once turn over complete (usually 3 days or so) head deep on natural lakes, vertical fish humps and transition areas 18-30+’. Be careful bringing fish up in water deeper than 30’, not to harm those you can’t or don’t want to keep. Or don’t fish for these guys at this time.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Action picking up as fish moving into somewhat tighter schools. Hard to fish in wind, but those being caught running thick in 11-13” range.

Smallmouth/Largemouth Bass: Fair – Not many reports, though a fairly strong tournament out on the chain this past weekend, but tight lipped about their success. From the few reports from locals both species are surprisingly shallow requiring jigs to be worked slow in pockets, Wacky worming and weedless Ned rigging also effective.

No reports on Bluegill or Perch

A relief from the cold is in sight for this weekend, traditionally best time to hunt Musky and some deep-water Walleye.