Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 1/27/25

Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Following last week’s frigid blast, ice conditions have improved to some of the best ice we’ve seen in several years! Reports of 20-27”+ on almost all lakes (Trout, Fence about 16”). Little snow (3-4”) means travel is excellent. We have had to deal with wind the past four days, making it feel colder than it is. On top of that, some finicky fish at times.

Crappie: Good-Very Good – When at the right place at the right time, (good feeding windows) basin Crappies put the feed bag on! Pinhead jigs, Rattlin Kastmasters and Tikka Flashes dressed with waxies and fished 4-8’ off the bottom in 18-28’ this past weekend scored very well…when the bite was on! At other times Crappies did a lot of window shopping, very frustrating. Weed Crappies still being caught but not in #’s of open water fishing.

Yellow Perch: Good – Still dealing with a lot of smaller fish cruising mud flats in 15-18’. When larger fish move in, Halis, Pimples and Pinhead spoons tipped with waxies or spikes, as well as small rosies on single hooked Forage Spoons, working well on Perch of 9-11”.

Bluegill: Good – Heavy weed beds producing well as lack of heavy snow must be letting in enough light to keep weeds alive. Look for holes or pockets in weeds. Small jigs tipped with waxies, red spikes or plastics (red or motor oil tops this week). Nice catches of eaters to 8½ “.

Northern Pike: Good – Big baits (shiners, suckers) on bladed tip-up rigs. While weeds typical placement, some larger Pike (30-35”) coming from mud flats in 15-18’ where small Perch are cruising.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Medium shiners on tip-ups, as well as jigging medium to large fatheads, in 8-12’ weeds. When temps go up, Bass activity increases. Reports of Largemouth to 19” over the weekend.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Bite windows critical as early am and again after dark best (though diligent angler reported very good action and size during noon minor over the weekend). If you can find, wild golden shiners just seem to have the “it” factor. Out producing suckers and pond raised shiners head-to-head. Jigging raps in sizes 5:7’s also produced this past weekend when Walleyes “turned on” for those feed windows.

Whitefish: Fair – Anglers finding access great just not Whitefish always in the mood. Spoons, the smaller you can work with the better (40-55’ depths) tipped with waxies or pieces of crappie minnows.

Combining a new moon period with some warming temps (above freezing 1/30/25) should be a great combination for anglers. Another 1-2” of snowfall (to cover our tracks), but not enough to affect travel. Looks like another good week!

Ice Fishing Tournaments

February 8th – Willow Haven Ice Fishing Derby – Hazlehurst

February 8th – Bucksnort Fisheree – Willow or Pier Lake (Tripoli)

February 15th – 24th Annual Plum Lake – Plum Lake

March 1st – KISS - WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain