Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 6/23/26

Feels like I’m constantly retracting parts of my previous reports, just like the things I tell my wife, only this is in writing (dang!).  Contrary to last week’s report, there were some Hexagenia (Mayfly) hatches on some of the flowages (especially the Turtle to the north).  Must have started their two-day migration before the colder weather moved in (my excuse).  More mild weather, some rain (nice, what’s the Northwoods without some more mosquitos), and a forecast moving our next 80° day into July!  But enough of the complaining!  Fishing has improved over last week as it seems adjustments to the cooler weather pattern have occurred.  Surface temps still averaging mid-60’s, but not wavering much one way or the other, very stable.

Smallmouth Bass:  Good—Very Good – Settling into summer patterns.  Seems like anything “Fuzzy” has been hot either drop-shotted or fished wacky style.  More along sandgrass flats and coontail edges than rock, but finding Smallies in all these areas.

Bluegill:  Good-Very Good – Small plastics, thunderbugs, small leeches and worms!  Reports on the beds, but others in shallow 4-8’ weeds.  Not much of a popper bite, waiting for things to warm up.

Largemouth Bass:  Good-Very Good – Wacky worms and Ameoba rigs!  Soft twitchbaits such as the Crush City Freeloaders, Yum Break’N Shads and tube jigs over 4-8’ weeds and around boathouses and docks.  Swimming pre-rigged plastic worms also producing over weedy flats.

Walleye:  Good-Very Good – Working deeper weeds of 12-16’ using big leeches or crawlers on 1/8 oz jigs or slip-bobbers with 3-4” redtails has put plenty of “eater” (15-19”) Walleye in the boat.  Casting shallow running cranks along shorelines (Scatter Rap Minnows, Rattlin Rouges) has been picking up nice fish just before dusk!

Northern Pike:  Good-Very Good – While working a live chub or sucker on a weedless 1/16-1/8 oz jig still good bet, action has picked up!  Casting spinnerbaits, #3:#4 Mepps Aglia spinners and chatterbaits seems to be working again.

Musky:  Fair-Good - Swimbaits over bucktails! At least that’s the report from the guy who picked up a Livingston Mustang from the shop at 7:30 am Sunday morning only to return six hours later to buy his wife one after she saw him boat a 44” Tiger Musky that morning!  Still, good reports on bucktails (Wizards, Hunsys) and 6” Cranes and Shallow Raiders.

Crappie:  Good – Move into tall weeds where casting small Beetle Spins, Crappie Thumpers, Charlie Bees and Road Runners as well as bladeless with Crappie Scrubs and twister tails picking up nice catches for those willing to cover some water.

Yellow Perch:  Good – Bite picked up a bit.  Still holding in heavy weed cover.  Medium fatheads, beavertails and medium leeches are good buffet choices.

As of this writing (6/22), getting new reports of Mayfly hatches on Big Arbor Vitae, so the hatches are on the small to mid-sized lakes.  Check boat landings before launching if Walleye is your goal.

Pics of the Week

Caden (5 YO) of Mequon, WI having a good time catching some Gills

Riley (6YO) of Homer Glen, IL with a BIG Smallmouth Bass she subdued while fishing with her folks

Addie (5YO) of Homer Glen needed some help from Dad to hold on to her trophy Pike

Davin (8 YO) of Homer Glen shows off his dandy Smallmouth Bass

Donnie (10 YO) of Homer Glen with a nice Largemouth dock Bass

Meridith Locke-Guttu from the north side of Milwaukee was lipping everything this past week

…a 19 ½” Walleye

…an 18” Smallmouth Bass

…a nice Crappie and her brother, Brendan

Jeff Springer used a 12” sucker to catch and release this 42 ½”, 38 ½# Flathead on his trip to the Wolf River last week.  (Jeff, and the sucker, are from up here)