Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 6/10/25

Thankfully it's been raining a bit, our mosquito population was getting thin…we have a reputation to uphold here in the Northwoods.  As we move into June, certain species have fallen off in activity while others have picked up nicely.  Spawning for some (Bluegill and Bass) and recovery for others (Musky) and the cloud cover, mixed with rain but very little lightening has helped.

Musky:  Very Good – Gotta say the clouds and rain really helped.  Bucktails such as Smity Wizard and Janies Slammit as well as 6” twitchbaits and 7” swimbaits have been effectively catching fish over the weekend.  Top-water working well also, accounting for two of the past days four Muskies, tops a 49” beast on a Fat Bastard by 16 yr old Colton Gilbert of Egan Minnesota!

Bluegill:  Very Good – Gills bedding on many lakes.  Even where they aren’t, taking small leeches and thunderbugs with gusto.  Calmer days, poppers and flys for added difficulty.  Mini Mites, tiny tues or pinky jigs tipped with waxies under small floats an easy combo.

Smallmouth Bass:  Good – Season still closed (thankfully) as Smallies on beds guarding nest.  Top-water lures offer most fun in shallows.  Jigs with craw imitations hard to resist.  Twitching X-raps and Husky Jerks (#6:#8) as well as slow working Whopper Ploppers for a good time!

Largemouth Bass:  Good – Also reports of bedding.  Similar techniques as being used for Smallies.  Wacky Worms and Ned Rigs producing very well.

Northern Pike:  Good – Good water temps (mid-60’s) for active fish.  Mepps in the #3:#4 as well as similar sized Comet Minnows.  Spinnerbaits and chatters also.  6-10’ weeds, cabbage looking good, holding variety of sized Pike.

Walleye:  Good-Fair – Action among greening cabbage.  Leeches coming on strong on weedless jigs or under slip-floats.  Some good evening action casting shallow running cranks (Scatter Minnows, Thundersticks) over weed tops during last two hours of light.

Yellow Perch:  Good-Fair – Better in late mornings through mid-day.  Relating to heavy cabbage on lakes in 5-9’ of water on leeches, thunderbugs, medium fatheads.  On Flowages, wood in 12-20’ using

½ crawlers or medium fats under slip-floats.

Crappie:  Fair-Good – Spawn over.  Look for Crappies in adjacent narrow leaf cabbage hitting Crappie Scrubs and Itty Bittys on 1/32 oz jigs.

Forecast has some upper 40’s for lows still, yet highs in 70’s.  Cloud cover with chance of rain on Friday won’t hurt.  No reports of Hex (mayfly) hatches yet, but will be on the lookout.

Picture of the week

Colton Gilbert, 16 yrs old.  First Musky 49" with a Fat Bastard!  (The lure, not the guy standing behind him)