Minocqua Area Fishing Report

With ice thickness slowly building, more opportunities opening up for anglers here in the Northwoods.

Most areas averaging 5-7” and while some of our larger lakes are just locking up, with the lack of snow on these newer freeze ups, the ice will actually catch up on these lakes.

Walleye: Very Good-Good – Some action even as early as mid-afternoons as anglers working jigging spoons (Clam Flutter Spoons) finding good action. Best still just before dark, but the mid-day action sign of active fish. Biggest draw back has been winds this past week making fishing difficult at times.

Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Action during morning gets best using big chubs, suckers or shiners in relatively shallow water still (4-9’)

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Lots of action, but reports of sorting needed to get a decent bag. In shallow water, classic lead jigs (Dot Tears, Darts) tipped with waxies all that’s needed in water of 4-8’. Some anglers on smaller, deeper lakes using tungsten and spikes to get down in 20-25’ for some big Gills.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Some nice fish being picked up in shallow, cabbage flats of 5-9’. Most on horizontal profile jigs tipped with waxies. Some minnow bites, but these fish not schooling tight, so bite scattered.

Crappie: Fair – Had been better, mostly wind keeping anglers from slow dropping rockers with plastics.

Biggest thing holding anglers back was wind over weekend. Snow (which we didn’t need yet) wasn’t bad and wind actually kept some off lake. Cold this week will help build ice. Temps for weekend forecasted to be highs in low 20’s should be just right to continue ice build, yet be “workable” for early ice anglers to get out.