Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Early September has not been the best for anglers of certain species so far. Walleye and panfish anglers have struggles. Bass fishing has been just so-so, Musky and Pike anglers are reporting good action though, lucky to have so many options! When one doesn’t work out, switch tackle and chase something else.

Musky: Good – Still working inside weed edges and shallow flats. Most reports from fish in 4-8’ of water. Bucktails, spinner baits with large fluted or Colorado blades for lift and thump! Top-water still producing well, more subtle baits best. A few anglers already reporting action on suckers as surface temps ranging 60-64 degrees.

Northern Pike: Good – Like their larger cousins, Pike working the 4-8’ weeds taking bucktails and spinner baits well. Some nice mid-30” fish reported this week.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – LMB moved out to deeper weed edges once Musky moved in. Texas rigging plastics helped a local team take 2nd during a Bass tournament this past weekend. Other reports of anglers using jig and creature combos and Tokyo rigs to work deep weeds as well.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best drop shotting deep gravel humps. Still getting reports of anglers scoring BIG Smallies on inside weed lines while Musky fishing, top-water and spinner baits, fish to 20+”!

Crappie: Fair – Usually very good right now. Anglers having hard time dialing in any concentrations of fish.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Mostly around deep wood on ½ crawlers.

Walleye: Fair – Reports of fish not very consistent and all over depending on lake type. Shallow (less than 22-24’ max depth) work shallow green cabbage with large fats, small chubs or leeches on 1/16 oz weedless jigs. Deeper lakes work depth of 18-30’ using full crawlers or medium chubs or suckers on Lindy style rigs.

Bluegill: Fair – Some big Gills (9-10”) being caught in local Flowages around deep wood of 14-18’ using crawlers or leeches meant for Walleye. Not a lot of other effort due to recent weather.

The uptick in Musky fishing has anglers looking forward to this fall’s season. High water seems to have disrupted some bites (at least that’s my excuse)