Minocqua Area Fishing Report - 5/13/24

Things are looking up for fishing in the Lakeland Area.  Following a slow week at times last week (magnetic storm in outer space, how’s that sound?), the forecasted lows seem to be rising, so mornings should get better.  Prior it has been afternoons that were better fishing as lake temps would rise, then fall again with the morning’s air temps dropping into the 30’s.

Crappie:  Good-Very Good – Good reports from Crappie anglers finding pre-spawn (many VERY pre-spawn) Crappies in 7-10’ weeds and shallower at times.  Kalin Crappie Scrubs, Charlie Bee’s, Garland Itty Bits and small tube jigs as well as small minnows on slip-floats.  Very reliable source also reported Crappies bedding already on a few smaller lakes.  Once they’ve committed, these bedders won’t leave.  With forecast, expect a lot more similar situations.

Largemouth Bass:  Good-Very Good – Most activity in shallows with dark bottoms on warming afternoons.  Wacky Worms, light weighted Ned rigs, 4” plastic worms producing action with nice fish of 18-20” reported.

Bluegill:  Good – With no report last week, readers let me know they did in fact find Gills and its only getting better!  Mostly in 5-8’ using leafworms, Mini-Mites tipped with waxies or the tiniest of tube jigs.  Not warm enough for top-water popper fishing, but one good report from an angler using wet flies.

Northern Pike:  Good – As weeds slowly green and grow, anglers finding more opportunities in 6-10’.  Spinners (#3-#4 Mepps) spinnerbaits, swimbaits and chub/jig combos.  Good action and nice size of 24-30” fish reported.

Smallmouth Bass:  Good – Not as many targeting (still only catch and release) but some very nice Smallies being caught by anglers using tube jigs, Ned rigs and Jigging Raps/Shiver Minnows along breaks outside of spawning areas.  Twitching X-Raps and Husky Jerks working just at the areas where the shallows fall to deep also.

Walleye:  Fair-Good – Had a lull last week it seemed.  Mornings were toughest with action improving in afternoons.  Water temps playing big roll, but that looks to level off.  Green weeds, jig and bait time.  Dace, fats, smaller chubs and even leeches working well.  Anglers casting stickbaits (Rapalas, Thundersticks, Rattlin Rouges) also picking up nice catches towards dusk in shallower weeds (7’ less).

Surface temps ranging 52-58 degrees on most lakes.  It’s been either windy or flat most days (both on some days).  Small fronts moving through bring rain and temperature changes.  Look forward to a nice consistent week with lows in the 40’s and highs mid to upper 60’s bringing some consistency.  Great time to get out on the water as fishing good, temps nice and bugs low.