Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 11/4/24

Fairly quiet on the Lakeland front.  Water temps did not drop as much as I predicted.  Most lakes in the 50-52 degrees mark (following snow and upper 20’s on 10/31, I thought we would see more in the 48-50 degree range).

Musky:  Good – Could be most of us fishing too deep!  Reports from several guides and anglers catching fish in 3-5’ using twitch baits such as Cranes, Slammers and light gliders.  Pattern not what we expect for this time of year.  Lakes holding their temps and off breaks not seeing signs of bait fish.  Typically, I don’t use bobbers when sucker fishing, but to keep suckers out of weeds going that shallow, floats the way to go.

Crappie:  Good – After no report last week, finally some anglers talking.  Nice catches on medium fatheads over wood or cribs in 8-12’.  Floats to hold bait at structure top or cast and swim paddle tails on 1/16 oz jigs.

Northern Pike:  Good – Most reports on Pike picked up while Musky fishing using twitch baits in shallow weeds.  Also casting jigs on wire leaders with 4-5” chubs and suckers for those targeting Pike.

Walleye:  Fair – Few reports.  Mostly deeper water with live bait as fish not very aggressive.  Seeing lots of fish holding in 35-40’ relating to big schools of bait fish.

Following a small warm up, (60 degrees on 11/4) lows in the 30’s this week with highs in the low 50’s means patterns should remain about the same.  With Ciscos staging on lakes that have them, anglers should start to see Musky staging just outside these gravel spawning areas themselves.