Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 11/20/23

Open water season is winding down.  With the onus on gun deer this past weekend, fewer anglers out on the water.  Despite unseasonably warm days last Wed/Thurs, temps below freezing for mornings cooling things down further.  Surface temperature readings ranged from 38-43 this past week, ice forming on edges, small bays and pond.  Be very careful at boat landings that are being used, ice building up fast on black topped launches.

Musky:  Good – Not a numbers game this time of year, but some fish being caught!  While striking out my last trip of the year (11/19), did talk to a young angler on the same lake that boated a 46” on a Bulldawg and lost a second during the last hour before dark.  A few other reports of Skis between 42 & 47” this past week.  Mix of lures (mostly rubber) and suckers.

Suckers getting harder to find but still available.  Call your favorite, local bait shop (us?) ahead of time to check availability.  It’s legal to fish Musky by open water or land through December now, but not legal to use ice as a base, so watch for specific ice lake reports in the coming weeks.

Walleye:  Good – Very few targeting, but those that are finding fish in deeper pockets or along transition zones in 24-34’ of water (some deeper).  Jiggin Vibrato’s, Jigging Raps and Shiver Minnows producing.  On shallower lakes and Flowages, fishing 10-14’ depth using black chubs, suckers or large fathead putting Walleyes in the boat.  Slow dragging these baits producing better than slip-bobbers.  2”-3” bullheads found in these fish, makes sense for the slow, low presentation needed.

Could see (possibly?) some fishable ice early next week.  Lows in teens for 8 of the next 10 mornings starting 11/22, should start locking things up.  With highs of only 32-34 degrees 4 of those 10 days, time to dust off your tip-ups.

Mark your calendars for our 14th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza Dec 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  More deals than ever before on shacks, electronics, rods, reels, clothing and boots!  Call ahead and order a flip over shack, custom built (hyfax, other accessories) for the Ice Fishing Extravaganza only.  Pick up during show and SAVE set-up fee, SAVE time and SAVE Frustration!

If you are signed up on our Big Buck Contest, be sure to bring your deer in to get in on the board.  Remember, the smallest deer gets a share of the pot as well.

Kurt Justice

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop - Like us on Facebook