Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 9/16/25

Cold last week then hot this week.  We saw surface temps fall from 70° to 60° last week only to see them climb back into the upper 60’s, touching 70’s this week.  This yo-yo weather has not done anglers much for favors.

Largemouth Bass:  Fair-Good – While professional tournament anglers fishing the Minocqua Chain seemed to find numbers of smaller Bass this weekend, the bite has definitely slowed as weed beds showing signs of dying back in areas.  Digging deeper into “clean” weeds using jig/craw and Wackys on weedless hooks best.

Smallmouth Bass:  Good-Fair – Deeper gravel holding some fish while outside coontail edges with sandgrass “porches” good for drop shotting.  Some nice Smallies in 3-4# range on Neds in these areas.

Yellow Perch:  Good-Fair – Some real true jumbos on jig and large fatheads or fats under floats along drowned wood or cribs in 12-16’.  Feeding heavily on small crayfish.

Bluegill:  Good-Fair – A second (maybe even third) flying ant hatch didn’t seem to bring Gills up like two weeks ago.  Still, nice Gills to over 10” this week on ½ crawlers under slip floats over drowned wood of 12-16’.  For numbers, stick to weeds of 8-10’.

Musky:  Good-Fair – Best on 8” swimbaits and #8 bucktails over shallow weed beds in 6-10’.  Some top-water action, but best after dark.  A few fish boated on suckers.  Should improve if water cools.

Crappie:  Fair – Various location, yet mostly relating to wood (12-16’) or deeper coontail edges (14-18’) suspended 10-12’ down.

Northern Pike:  Fair – Not liking the heat!  Bite slowed, but should pick up this weekend as waters cool again.  Number 3 and #4 Mepps, swimbaits in 4-5” sizes and spinnerbaits.  Chubs on a jig or under a float when all else fails.

Walleye: Fair – Working deep gravel with medium redtails on ¼ oz jigs.  Dragging crawlers slowly on jigs or rigs in 22-34’ producing some fish.

Tough to pattern when weather keeps changing.  Yes, we typically get some warm September days, but hot (low 80’s) flat and cloudless heating water from “comfort” zone.  Looking forward to week’s end.

Picture of the week

Jim Allen of Waukesha, WI with a pair of Jumbo Perch, 12 and 12 3/4"