Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Some real fall weather reached the Northwoods! Cold nights, some wind, rain, as a result – some falling water temps.

Musky: Good-Very Good – Not a great season for numbers, but some very nice fish. While suckers have accounted for the majority of fish, artificials, especially jointed cranks (48”) and 8” twitch (45”) have popped some nice fish.

Walleye: Good-Fair – One day good, next day UGGHH!! Daily changing weather seems to be changing the bite. Base of drop offs best using 1/8-3/8 oz jigs to vertically present large fatheads to medium chubs and suckers. Depths of 22-35’ best.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Start by working gravel bases drop-shotting 3” Gulp Alive Minnows, as well as, 4” chubs and suckers. On some wind swept shores anglers finding Smallies as shallow as 3-6’ using large Colorado Bladed spinnerbaits.

Northern Pike: Good – Some above average sized Pike on large spinnerbaits and medium sized twitchbaits meant for Musky along 8-12’ weed beds.

Crappie: Good – Showing up deep near sunken wood in 18-26’. Medium fatheads working over wood piles/roots best.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best on subtle plastic presentations.

Yellow Perch: Fair

Bluegill: Fair

Water temps fell into the low 50’s on many lakes. A few reports of turn-over on lakes north of the Lakeland Area. Unfortunately, the forecast for this week calls for temps to hit upper 60’s –to low 70’s – this will put a temporary halt to the cool down,but the new moon period should help the bite.