Mincoqua Area Report – 2025

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 01-06-25:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Welcome to 2025!!!

A new year and positive outlook for ice anglers. Following the warm up and rain that took the snow off the ice on the lakes, bitter cold has moved in to build our ice base unimpeded. A couple light dustings of snow have all but blown off with the recent winds. Creepers are a MUST!! Our local emergency room reportedly had 90 cases of people falling and being hurt in one day! Be very CAUTIOUS!!

Fishing took a bit of a dip from the previous weekend, but not surprisingly. Last weekend was a new moon period PLUS very warm (averages above 35 degrees). Cold (sub-zero) plus wind (really sub-zero) has thinned out the ice crowd for the time being.

Crappie: Very Good-Good – Best over basins of 18-23’. Roaming schools taking waxies on Rattlin Kastmasters, Tikka Flash. Minnows on tip-downs (tough in single digit weather). Lots of catches reporting 9-11” eaters with slabs to 14 ½”. Some Crappies in weeds mixed with Gills, but these fish seemed to be reluctant to bite. Best on tiny jigs (#12-#10) tipped with pink/bubble gum plastics.

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Deeper weeds of 8-12’. Waxies or plastics (red, purple, browns best) on #3 & #4 tungsten jigs. Subtle colors best when they need “convincing”. Some Gills being found suspended out away from weeds in 14-20’ taking wigglers and spikes fished 3-5’ off bottom.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Action slowed and reports of light biters picking up tip-up bait, moving a bit then dropping, sign that smaller bait such as small shiners, smaller sucker or large fatheads on #12 trebles would be better set-up. Despite that, still some very nice Walleyes being caught, many in the slot to be released (20-26”). Cold snap may have had a lot to do with recent reluctance.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – A little slower and deeper. Still nice Pike in the low to mid 30” range. Suckers and shiners as per usual along deep weed edges of 10-14’.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Getting a few more reports of Perch working mud flats adjacent to weeds taking wigglers on Hali jigs and #2 Swedish Pimples. Also, some action in 5-8’ weeds on medium fatheads or a couple waxies on Northland Forage Minnows.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Action slowed as temps dropped. Still a few anglers catching Bass on jigs tipped with waxies meant for Gills or Perch in weedy flats.

Whitefish: Not a lot of reports. But the few anglers catching Whitefish on #5-#6 Swedish Pimples tipped with waxies or a minnow head.

With ice thickness reports of 10-13” and building (the lakes are “BOOMING”), this coming weekend should provide even better access. Snowmobiles, ATV’s and UTV’s are fine, should have safe truck travel once lakes reach 14-15” of ice. Little snow in the forecast and mild temps in the mid 20’s for the weekend.

Ice Fishing Tournaments
January 11th – 17th Annual NCO Club & AMVETS Post 724 – Lake Nokomis
January 11th – 31st year – Rainbow Ice Jamboree – Rainbow Flowage
January 18th – Kurt’s Minocqua Madness – WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain
January 18th – 10th Annual Iceholes of the North – Sponsored by Team Retreat Musky Club – Various lakes
March 1st – KISS – WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 01-13-25:

Another good week of ice fishing conditions coming to a halt this Monday/Tuesday as cold (subzero) and wind will keep most anglers off the ice for a couple days. Three to four inches of snow will give the ice a little traction, hopefully not insulating enough to keep from building more ice.

Crappie: Good – Most reports from anglers finding Crappies roaming basins of 15-24’. Small jigs with rattles or blades best for drawing in fish (Kastmasters, Tikka Flash). Tip-downs with rosies also picking up fish. Some weed related Crappies coming on bright jigs tipped with plastics (pink, white, silver and blue best).

Yellow Perch: Good – Mud flats of 15-28’. Fast dropping spoons (Bull spoons, Halis, Flash Champs, Pinheads) tipped with wigglers, red spikes or Berkley Power Nymphs working. Nice eaters in the 9-11” range for the most part. Lots of smaller fish to sort through.

Walleye: Good – Early morning and the last of light. Medium shiners along weed edges of 8-14’, suckers over sandgrass flats and gravel humps in 14-22’. Jigging Raps and Rattlin Raps still producing some nice fish, but action towards the artificial baits seems to have slowed as ice thickens. Still good to use to locate fish, even if reluctant, then go back to live bait on a dead stick or tip-up.

Northern Pike: Good – Typical tip-up bite along deep weed edges or in the heavy cabbage. Use big baits (shiners, suckers) to garner attention. Rigs with blades also help to add “flash” as the big baits struggle on these rigs.

Bluegill: Good – Weed Gills in 7-10’ using #3 tungsten jigs in dark colors tipped with red, purple, motor oil plastics or a colored spike. Suspended basin Gills taking larger #4:#5 tungsten jigs in glow patterns tipped with spikes or waxies.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Will slow with cold but should pick up by week’s end. Some notable Largemouth caught over weekend in the 16-18” range. Tops, a 22” behemoth on a jig and waxie meant for Gills.

Whitefish: Fair – Anglers report fish skittish, not liking too bright or too active a lure. 40-50’ depths.

The slight pause with the cold and wind (chills to -30) should give us a chance to prepare for some even better ice for travel. Most lakes reporting 12-14”+, with more to come. Even with the arrival of the 4” of new snow, travel and access should be excellent. Snowmobile use will be better and snow isn’t deep enough to hinder ATV, UTV or even foot traffic.

Ice Fishing Tournaments
January 18th – Kurt’s Minocqua Madness – WIFA High School – Minocqua Chain
January 18th – 10th Annual Iceholes of the North – Sponsored by Team Retreat Musky Club – Various lakes
January 18th – Battle on St. Germain Lakes
February 8th – Willow Haven Ice Fishing Derby – Hazlehurst
February 15th – 24th Annual Plum Lake – Plum Lake
March 1st – KISS – WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 01-23-25:

All right ladies and gentlemen ice anglers… Start your engines!
I realize my reports are on the conservative end in regards to driving trucks on the ice. Plenty of anglers have already been driving trucks I know, but I couldn’t in good conscience give an all-around okay. Following the past couple of days though low temperatures of 22 and 27 below zero on the 20th and 21st of January, the 16-20” reports from Saturday will surely be in the 20-24” range by this Thursday. With 2+” of snow on the ice, access by trucks and even all-wheel drive cars will be fine.

Crappie: Good – Decent bite, even for the few crazies such as my grandson who went out in 17° below temperatures on Monday because Lakeland school was closed. Nice crappies with many in the 10-13” range including a 15” slab caught and quickly returned by musical talent Bernie Thompson. Suspended fish in the 16-24” depth from reports being caught 3-6’ off the bottom using Kastmasters and Tikka Flash, both spoons that were tipped with wax worms. Still some fish hanging out in the weeds were being caught but very tight to the bottom on forage fry jigs tipped with waxies or spikes.

Yellow Perch: Good – Best in 16-20’ mud flats. Schools are cruising. With the cold, the best is to wait your turn as they come through. Northland Forage jigs with a single hook tipped with the minnows taking the best perch. Pimples and Halis tipped with red spikes are good choices; just have to deal with more of the smaller Perch.

Bluegill: Good – Nice Gills of 7.5″-8.5″ with a few over 9″ around cabbage flats of 8-12’. Mostly working into the weeds to pull fish up and out. Some very nice suspended Gills are being found along with the Crappies and Perch.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Still some decent action for mid-January. Lack of snow on the ice may be contributing. Live bait continues to be the best choice as all species, especially Walleyes that seemed to be a bit finicky this past week. Top bragging rights go to Sawyer of Winneconne, Wisconsin with a beautiful, predusk 28 ¾” monster. Congratulations Sawyer.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Surprisingly, not a lot of larger fish from the reports that we gathered here this week. Some decent action on eaters of 22-27″ on big shiners and suckers. Most of them have been related to weeds of 8-14’.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – As in “Fairweather ice fish”! Typically, when temps get below 20°, we don’t see as much activity from Largemouth. Still, a few of them up to 17″ were reported over the weekend.

Whitefish: Fair – Not much on the Whitefish front. Should get better as travel conditions improve.

Despite all of this great ice for access and travel, still be cautious of ice heaves. The Rainbow Flowage, Willow Flowage, Fence Lake and North Twin (which has a 3-ft heave) are bodies of water where you need to watch carefully. Moving forward it looks like a great ice season. 2’+ of ice and lots of access. People with permanent shacks are starting to pull out the extensions already and creepers are still a good idea with such little snow on the ice. Not a lot of anglers out Sunday through Tuesday with dangerously cold temperatures but that should change coming Wednesday.

Big shout out to the three schools and four teams that competed in the Minocqua Madness on Saturday. Teams from Winneconne, Slinger and Wausaukee hit the ice and stuck it out catching lots of fish in six of the seven categories (there were no Smallmouth for the day). Lots of fish, great competition and a great bunch of young anglers. The WIFA organization has done a great job of getting these young anglers out on the ice and introducing them to the sport of ice fishing. Whenever you can, support the WIFA organization to help support our wonderful sport.

Ice Fishing Tournaments
February 8th – Willow Haven Ice Fishing Derby – Hazlehurst
February 15th – 24th Annual Plum Lake – Plum Lake
March 1st – KISS – WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 01-27-25:

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

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 02-04-25:

The “Dog Days of Winter” (thanks reporter, Jeff Walz), may be upon us. Though that assessment could easily be the day more than the week itself. There’s typically a drop off in midwinter as ice, thickens, and snow deepens. This cuts off light to plants and they lose the ability for photosynthesis, lowering oxygen levels and fish activity. But with very little snow this year, weeds seem to be staying green. More than likely, I’d blame the “dog days” this year on the east winds. Yet whatever the reasons, conditions still are very good for anglers and fish are still being caught.

Crappies: Good-Very good > Bite having windows, as some anglers fishing basin fish doing extremely well at times catching limits. At other times, fish being persnickety (my grandmother’s word), coming in to investigate, then dropping away. Flashy or loud lures such as Tika flashes, jointed Pinhead, and rattling Kast masters and the like tipped with waxies still tops as are tip downs with rosies stationed nearby your jigging hole (if you’re not the run and gun type). Weed fish requiring finesse. Slow dropping jigs tipped with plastics (silver, white and yellow being best. Start high in the water column, but be ready to fish low (1 foot off the bottom) if fish are not responding.

Northern Pike: Good- Very Good > Typical shiner or suckers on tip-ups. Lots of complaints of pike snipping off jigs meant for gills or crappie, so you know they are on the prowl.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good > Mud flats the best overall location in 15-20′ of water. Hali Jigs and Kastmaster spoons with chain hooks to deliver wigglers or red spikes. Schools on the move! If you find some, more than likely they or another school will return.

Bluegill: Good > Heavy cabbage in 8-12’, but also some cruising flats where crappies and perch found. Plastics in red, motor oil, purple and black. Waxies or spikes always a good choice.

Walleye: Good-Fair > Bite more concentrated towards evenings than earlier. Some pre-dawn action but window smaller. The jigging bite (Raps, Hyper Glides, Hyper Rattles) has caught enough fish of late to make the effort count. Depths of 14-25’ using suckers or medium shiners did the trick this past weekend.

Largemouth Bass: Fair > Bass bite slows when temps drop. Most caught targeting other fish on tip-ups with medium shiners.

Overall conditions remain unchanged if not slightly improving as ice slowly thickens. (Most lake at 20-28”) and not enough new snow (sorry snowmobiles) to affect travels. Do watch access on some North Landings as drifts could impede travel, but for the majority of access things are excellent.

Weather forecast of highs in the upper teens to mid 20’s and low’s in the single digits to negative temps. Should do well for ice anglers trips this week. Still a good inventory of boxed and built flip shacks, hubs and electronics in stock and on sale at shop. Stop in or give us a call, 1-715-356-4797

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 02-10-25:

Wind (and lots of it, not needed) and snow (about 5”, much needed), slowed participation on the ice for anglers. Add cold and it looks like a lot of anglers took a pass on heading out on the ice this past week. Those that fished (when they could) had mixed results. Still, fish were caught and time on the ice enjoyed.

Crappie: Good-Very Good – Deep basin and wood along river channels (Flowages) produced very well for anglers using Rattlin Kastmasters. Most tipped with waxies or minnow heads. Conditions for tip-down use not the best with snow and wind. Weed Crappies (8-12’) held tight to bottom. Slow dropping thin, fluttering jig/spoons tipped with waxies or plastics (white, silver, yellow) best.

Northern Pike: Good – Nice thing about Pike fishing in the winter, most done with tip-ups… set it and forget it (except to keep holes from freezing up). Enough action on shiners and suckers to make effort worth it.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Lots of #’s, but light on the keepers was the word from most anglers. Mud flats of 16-22’ using heavy, yet small fast dropping spoons (Pimples, Hali, Bull spoons) to get back down quickly when pods of Perch moved through. Wigglers and red spikes for the most part. Some larger Perch on minnows on dead sticks.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Bite window still best one hour before and after sunset. A few early risers catching fish before dawn. Jigging Raps and Slab Raps accounting for some nice fish (17-23”) but majority on tip-ups baited with suckers or river shiners. Depths of 14-18’ weed edges or along breaks of 18-25’ gravel best.

Bluegill: Fair – Not the best conditions for chasing Bluegills. Those that did found Gills holding within a foot off the bottom and being tight lipped. Due to wind, #4 tungsten jigs to combat line bow tipped with waxies or spikes best.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Came to on warmer days, yet overall waiting for warmer weather.

Forecasted cold week with daytime temps single digit to teens and night time chills of -8 to -13. Should ease up for the Holiday weekend (Fri/Sat) breaking into 20’s before dropping down into single digits for Sun/Mon.

Ice thickness good, averaging 22-28”+. New snow may be a bit of a hindrance, but overall travel conditions very good. Cold and high pressure more of a hindrance on the bite than anything else.

Only three weekends left of the 24/25 gamefish season. Closes March 2nd at midnight, so don’t wait much longer to catch that Walleye dinner.

Ice Fishing Tournaments
February 15th – 24th Annual Plum Lake – Plum Lake
February 15th – 19th Annual Lake Tomahawk Family Fishery – Lake Tomahawk
March 1st – KISS – WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 02-18-25:

A good smack of winter this past weekend as snow and frigid temps kept anglers (most, not all) off the ice for the holiday weekend. Single digit and lower temperatures with wind chills in the negative teens and lower made for good reasons to stay inside and watch NASCAR, if that’s your thing. Bite windows were small and not always when expected. Yet, once again a few stalwart individuals (and groups) did well.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Action slowed by the weekend when afternoons produced better than mornings. #2 jigging raps tipped with a waxie or minnow head helped weed out the smaller Perch when the bite did open up. When things slowed (stopped?), a more subtle presentation was needed using small #3 tungsten jigs tipped with a wiggler or spike.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Even the Pike bite was off this weekend. Afternoons produced better than mornings. Still, nice catches by those willing to brave the cold and chip some ice. This is usually a time of heavy feeding for Pike and I’m sure it will be once temps warm a bit.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Snow, wind and cold kept most anglers from chasing suspended Crappies, it was mostly a sit and wait bite (inside a warm shack)! Clam pinhead minnows, Tikka Flashes and small Kastmasters to get down quickly still producing over 18-28” of water. Tip-downs or deadsticks kept inside shacks working with Crappie minnows as well.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Bite earlier in the evening, actually late afternoon. Tip-ups out shining jigging as high barometer and cold making for limited bite. Smaller shiners and suckers better at times like this. With warm up and new moon, this bite should really pick up starting this weekend.

Bluegill: Fair-Poor – Just not very good conditions for Bluegill enthusiasts. Those that hunkered down in shacks had some success with small jigs tipped with red spikes. Lots of lookers, few takers.

Largemouth Bass: Poor – Not a fan of this extreme cold. This species seems to pick up activity when temps rise into 20’s and barometer not so high (or so low).

Real temps down to 19 below (2/18) and fresh snow (5-6” on 2/15) did a number on participation for us anglers this past week, but the coming weekend looks great! Temps in the 20’s (then 30’s during the following week) plus a new moon period should spell a great end to the gamefish season with just two weekends left.

Ice Fishing Tournaments
February 22nd – Kids Ice Fishing Day sponsored by Northwoods Muskie Inc – Kennedy Bay, Lake Minocqua
March 1st – KISS – WIFA Highschool – Minocqua Chain

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 02-22-25:

Time to crawl back out from hibernation for a bit! Temps down to -19° last week has gave way to nice balmy temperatures as high as upper 30s maybe the 40s this Monday. Combine that with a new moon period and Fishing has picked up dramatically!

Walleye: Very Good > Bite windows remained about an hour and a half long on average. Mostly just before sundown, but also pre-dawn. Walleyes moving up to the weeds of about 8 to 16 feet of water, (depending on the lake type), taking suckers and shiners on tip ups, as well as back to aggressively, smacking, Ripping Raps, Jigging, Raps, and Tikka Minnows. Just about a week left to the season, best to take advantage of this hot bite!

Northern Pike: Very Good > Warm-up has helped. Pike action has improved and the bite is window starting earlier in the morning and lasting throughout the dusk versus last week. Take advantage of big active baits with rigs sporting blades for the added attraction!

Crappies: Good-Very Good > Action picking back up over basins of 18 to 28 feet of water. Small spoons with some noise such as Rattling Kast Masters or jointed Pinheads or those with flash such as Tikka Flash or Northland Slim Spoons to pull in roaming schools of crappies. Tip with waxes or minnow heads. Weed fish moving up from holding tight to the bottom. Slow drop and light fluttering jigs tipped with light colored plastics best.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good > Mud flats of 14 to 18 feet of water, using fast dropping spoons to deliver red spikes or wigglers, if you can get some. A few larger perch on small shiners under tip ups meant for walleyes and weeds. Find pockets and heavy cabbage and lower medium fatheads hooked lightly through the back on a number 14 travel to target larger perch in these weeds. Nicer weed perch also hitting #2 jigging Raps as well !

Largemouth Bass: Good > While missing for a week or so – back on the charts due to the warm-up. Jigging while targeting gills using waxes or butter, worms, or setting tip ups with small to medium shiners are best! Jigging with spoons or wraps if your bass is your main target is also a good method.

Bluegill: Fair-Good > Action and reports improving as anglers targeting gills following the cold and wind. They kept most people off the ice. Small plastics, waxies were better, worms, and number 3 mm tungsten jigs and 8 to 12 feet of weeds. Some nice gills are also being caught roaming the open water of 14 to 20 feet by perch, crappie anglers.

Gamefish season officially ends March 2 at midnight. Looks as if weather won’t be too bad with temperatures in the 20s for the most part the mid week temps in the 30s plus will make things very comfortable.

Ice conditions are very good with averages 22 to 30 inches in most spots. The one report of 17 inches on a private lake raised a few eyebrows. With this much ice and the mild forecast ahead, it looks like a good month of panfishing through the ice is in store for the rest of our month of March.

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 03-04-25:

As the gamefish season has come to a close (3/2) it’s nice to see the panfish action ramping up! That is giving us ice enthusiasts plenty of reasons to hit the ice and enjoy some more of our favorite sport. As a note, the final gamefish weekend was a good one with lots of reports of Walleye and Pike catches. Some years it ends with a fizzle, this year a bang. Pike to 37” and Walleye to 28” reported with plenty of numbers, a shortage of big bait (our fault) the only downside.

Bluegill: Very Good – Very nice catches of nice sized Gills (many 8-8 ½” with some up to 9 ¾” reported). Early to mid-morning best for size, but nice fish caught throughout the day. Wax worms, Butter worms and plastics on 3 mm tungsten jigs in 7-10’ cabbage.

Crappie: Very Good – Lots of 10-12” fish caught and bagged this past weekend with reports (and pics) of slabs to 15”. Still a basin bite for the most part on Rattlin Kastmasters, Tikka Flash and Jointed Pinheads tipped with spikes or waxies. Tip-downs doing well baited with rosies or Crappie minnows. Of note, the draw down on the Willow Flowage has made some areas hazardous, use caution. Reports of slower fishing Fri and Sat may be more reason to stay off.

Yellow Perch: Good – Mud flats in that 14-22’ range using #2 Pimples or #25 Halis to deliver wigglers or red spikes. Tip-downs with small minnows also working. Use medium fatheads or large rosies to try and discourage smaller fish.

Other than earlier concern mentioned regarding the Willow, the Hwy J access on the Rainbow is not safe. Lakes on the other hand are in great shape following last weeks warm spell. Ice thickness from 17-30” reported. Snow on Wed (3/5) could be a mess to move around on depending on how much we get. Temps overnights in teens with highs in low 30’s following should amount to continued safe ice for at least a couple of weeks.

Shout out to all the high school teams that participated in the KISS Tournament this past Saturday. Your catches made me envious! Thank you Winneconne, Milton, Wauzaukee, Northland Pines, Rhinelander, Chequamegon and Rosholt and their students and coaches for participating! Great job!

Stop by the shop for lots of end of season discounts, while supplies last on rods, tackle, augers, shacks, clothing…

All boots are 25% off with the exception of LaCrosse (Ice Kings, Cold Snaps and Hunt Pac only – 50% off)

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 03-11-25:

The 10” of snow that was part of the storm last Wednesday (3/5) has now been reduced to near nothing due to the recent warm snap! Water and slush remain on the ice, 3-4” at most. Ice thickness has held up (17-30”) so far, but without that padding of snow to protect it from sun and warm winds, we will expect to lose ice from this point forward.

Crappie: Excellent – Anglers experiencing some of the best action of the season as melting snow running down the holes brings oxygen and energizes life below the ice. Basin bites are still going strong, with anglers preferring Jointed Pin Heads, Tikka Flashes and Rattlin’ Kastmasters tipped with waxies or spikes. With the warmth and the crappies feeding like they are, tip-downs and Jaw Jackers are scoring, fished with crappie minnows or rosie reds.
In conjunction with the melt, shallower water action has heated up! Fishing plastics by slow dropping jigs amongst narrow leaf cabbage in 8-12’ as well as tip-downs in the same areas have been working very well. A few reports of anglers catching crappies right under the ice in lakes with shallower weeds of 4-8’.

Bluegill: Very Good – Gills working weeds, sometimes just under the ice like the Crappies. Slow dropping 2.5-3mm tungsten jigs on windy days or old-style lead tear drop jigs to lower dark plastics, live waxies, spikes or butter worms providing great action.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Tip-downs with medium fatheads or Northland Rattling Spoons loaded with waxies or spikes over mud flats of 14-20’. Some nice Perch to 13 ½” this past weekend using the tip-downs. Anglers also reporting nice Perch mixed in with lots of smaller Perch in 6-10’ weeds.

The effects of the sun, wind and forecasted rain (possible 3/15) will definitely take its toll on the uncovered lake ice. We should be good for this coming weekend. The following week (16th-20th) temps drop and ice melt will slow (highs in 30’s, lows in 20’s) that should give us one last weekend of safe fishable ice through the 23rd. But Mother Nature will have the final say.

Stop by the shop for lots of end of season discounts, while supplies last… Rods, tackle, augers, shacks, clothing… All boots are 25% off with the exception of LaCrosse (Ice Kings, Cold Snaps and Hunt Pac only – 50% off)

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Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
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Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 03-17-25:

The big question has been…is there safe ice? Seems reasonable to ask after we saw temps hit 60 degrees last Friday (3/14). That, and the rain Fri night/Saturday (3/15) did make the top layer rather punky (porous). Some landings got mushy (if snow from previous week piled there).

While some anglers continue to press their luck by driving trucks, that’s one method we can no longer recommend here. Measurements of 16-28” seem fine, however, the top layer of ice has been compromised due to rain and warmth. Walking (bring creepers) and ATV travel still good. With forecast for next two weeks showing highs of 34-44 degrees yet lows of 14-23 degrees, our fishable ice should last through this week and the next!

And that’s good because…

Yellow Perch: Excellent – Limits of Perch in the 9-11” range with some pushing 13” over the past weekend. Mud flats of 14-24’ using Halis, Flash Champs, Bull spoons & Pinheads tipped with spikes or wigglers. Tip-downs with medium fatheads or large rosies working great for larger Perch.

Crappie: Excellent – Still great action on basin fish of 18’, to as deep as 30’. Most fish found 4-8’ off bottom. Tikka Flash, Jointed Pinheads and Rattlin Kastmasters tipped with waxies or tip-downs using Crappie minnows or small rosies. Weed bite in 8-12’ standing narrow leaf cabbage using small #3 tungsten jigs or #8 rockers to deliver plastics (white, pink, silver). On shallower lakes, Crappies and Gills found taking plastics just at ice bottom levels.

Bluegill: Very Good to Excellent – Gills taking waxies and butterworms with gusto in 4-8’. Sometimes just under the ice! Small plastics with red, brown being tops, but purple, black and well, very little else not being rejected.

During early ice, 3” of new “black” ice is safe to walk. This time of year, the top layer of “white” ice (porous, crumbly) gives way to “green” ice. This ice can be 10-12” thick, but does not support the weight new black ice does. Be cautious! Carry rope, floatation devices (cushion, vest), ice picks and creepers just to be safe!

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 03-24-25:

Not that we shouldn’t expect it, it is still only March! Dodged one snowfall without a scratch (snowflake) on 3/19. Wind the past week and some cold in the low teens wasn’t very fishermen friendly. Now, as of this report (3/23) snow has arrived, approx. 3” and still coming down. Wet and heavy will make trudging through a bit messy. You can put away your cleats for a bit, but pull on your tall boots.

Crappie: Very Good-Good – Fishable days have been the biggest hindrance. Wind made it tough to move about. Slow dropping jigs with plastics not easy in these winds. Tough to keep the tip-downs standing. Still nice catches. Using flip-shacks or hubs to keep the wind off, anglers reported good catches using Crappie minnows, rosies and even wigglers. Still a basin bite over 20-28’, with fish sometimes suspended 6-12’ off the bottom. Up in the weeds (8-12’) tough to properly work plastics. Dead sticking small minnows next to your jigging spoons (pimples, pinheads) for weight best.

Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Not the reports of previous week, but good action despite conditions. Wigglers over mud in 16-24’ reported best catches. Using flashy, heavy jigs to draw attention and keep bait down. Anglers using medium fats or large rosies to target larger fish. Some action in cabbage on shallower lakes.

Bluegill: Good-Fair – Not liking the conditions as much. Surprisingly some reports of large schools out over 20-24’ working under Crappies. The weed bite should return, especially on days where warm air will melt snow into ice.

Ice thickness has changed some despite the colder temps. Averaging 24” or so with some smaller lakes reporting only 14”. Most had brittle surfaces with better ice below. A couple areas near inlets had the opposite, hard 12” on top with soft, rotting ice below. Could be from warmer water moving through below the ice. Either way, it’s time to use caution. Safety picks, floatation jacket or vest, rope and a fishing buddy. If forecast holds (right…) we should be good through the coming weekend. Heading into the first week of April could see things change.

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 04-01-25:

Inconsistent weather this last week including an ice storm Saturday night into Sunday morning (3/29-3/30) followed by a wintery mix made for very few reports. Shorelines can be iffy especially on the warmer sunny days but some anglers were “planking” out earlier in the week with some success.

Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Deep Perch in 16-24’ being caught using wigglers. Others catching decent Perch as shallow as 4’, but 8-14’ being the more common theme. Wigglers and rosies producing best whatever your method.

Crappie: Good – Less wind, for the most part, has been good for tip-downs with rosies or Crappie minnows. Also jigs tipped with dark plastics producing. Less reports of a deep basin bite 20-26’ (although not done yet). Slowly more reports in 8-14’ also finding fish.

Bluegill: Good-Fair? – Very few people targeting but the few who did gave OK reports. Tipping jigs or small spoon with waxies or spikes working in shallow weeds of 4-10’.

Looks like another storm may be dropping a couple of inches in the Northland area overnight and into tomorrow. With temps this week ranging from the upper 40’s Fri/Sat (4/3-4/4) to lows at night as cold as the upper teens the ice isn’t going anywhere YET. Shorelines will be the battle to get access in some spots (north sides of lakes being the biggest challenge). Safest bet getting on would be south end of lakes. Ice thickness still 20” plus with still about a foot on smaller lakes.

*** April Spools ***
Get your reels ready for open water
Sale $$ thru April 27th
No Fooling

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 04-07-25:

With limited reports this last week and fewer ice fishermen venturing out, looks like open water will be upon us soon. Shorelines are getting pretty bad on the north end of the lakes but hasn’t stopped people from getting on the south side of some lakes still, or the brave still “planking” out.

Walleye: Good – If you want to head south, the dams south of Tomahawk producing lots of action using large fatheads with a jig. 30+ fish days have been common this last week.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Deep, 20-28’, fish being caught using smaller fathead minnows or a jig or small spoon tipped with a waxie. Sorting for size for some “keepers” has been the common theme.

Crappie: Good-Fair – More reports of shallow fish, 4-10’. Not much for deep bite reports. Crappie minnows still best bet, although fish being caught jigging with a waxie or butter worm not a bad idea.

Bluegill: Fair – No reports of people targeting but catching some mixed in with the shallow Crappie.

The next few days may be all that is left of ice fishing this season before shorelines are too tough to get past. Starting Friday with highs in the low 50’s and the next several days staying above freezing ice will start going quick. Saturday’s forecast may even be reaching the 60’s. Spring might stick around this time. Open water is right around the corner!

*** April Spools ***
Get your reels ready for open water
Sale $$ thru April 27th
No Fooling

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 04-15-25:

Well, it’s officially over, ice fishing is done. 60-degree days, rain, wind, then snow and then more wind has killed the ice. Small shallow lakes are starting to open up, while bigger lakes still have ice, rotted ice, with shorelines opening up. It won’t be long before boats will be out targeting panfish and bass during the catch and release season.

Fishing opener is only a few weeks away, May 3rd. In the meantime, our store is packed with all the new, latest and greatest gear, as well as with all the good ol’ reliable essentials.

Don’t forget your fishing license as they expired on March 31st.
Also, don’t forget to respool your reels before the opener! Line sale on bulk line, mono, floro and super lines through April 26th. Drop off spools and get freshened up!

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 04-22-25:

With most of the lakes ice free in the Lakeland area (lakes still iced up to the North) and some nice warming days ahead, (highs in the 60’s) there is some pan fishing going on.

Crappies and Bluegills are coming into the shallows on sunny warm days to take advantage of the temps in the shallows. Anglers making long cast, so as not to spook the fish, using small weighted floats or Rocket Bobbers to deliver small Crappie minnows or wax worms on small jigs. Action has been best during the warmest times of the day (2pm – 5pm).

Not many reports on Yellow Perch, but some being caught on small minnows in 3-5’ of water.

Gamefish opener is May 3rd, and things look right on time as ice is going out and Walleyes starting to spawn. With the help of the 60-degree forecast, waters should gradually warm and weed growth should start, providing some good target areas for post spawn Walleyes on smaller to mid-sized lakes and possibly spawning Walleyes on the larger waters.

Don’t forget to take advantage of our line sale thru April 26th. Stop in to check out the latest in new fish catching gear.

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
http://www.kurtsislandsports.com
Like us on FaceBook
Minocqua, WI 54548

Mark