Minocqua Area Report – 2015

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-6-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Arctic air has moved into the Lakeland area, dropping temperatures and anglers enthusiasm rather quickly. Not wanting to push their luck against temps 20deg+ below zero, there is little to report over the past couple of days.

Crappie: Fair / Poor. A few brave anglers found crappies relating to wood on the flowages. Bite was fairly decent on crappie minnows. Elsewhere, little to report as temps make some of the best crappie catching techniques (tip-downs, slow dropping) all but impossible. Seems some fish will bite, but getting to them is the issue.

Walleye: Fair / Poor. Nights are best. Hole covers needed to keep tip-ups from freezing in. As ice builds, walleyes (and all species for that matter) will start to move out a little deeper.

Yellow Perch: Poor. High Pressure is keeping perch tight to the bottom and not very active. Those enticing bites are doing so in deep (20-30′) depth, banging the bottom with a heavy spoon, then raising it 6″ off the bottom. Tip spoon hook with minnow head, red spike.

Northern Pike: Good/ Poor. Action shut down, as has participation. Prior to the cold, flags flying on tip-ups baited with shiners.

Bluegills: Good/Poor. Little to report, gills not being fished, until the weather warms.

Largemouth Bass: Good/Poor. When the temps were over 20deg… the action was great. But now with the cold temps very little action.

We got hit with a similar (yet colder) front on the first Sun/Mon of 2014 last year. Just have to ride it out. Check your maps well before heading out, it’s not the kind of weather you want to be drilling a lot of holes in. Forecast towards the end of the week has temps in the single digits… not great but it beats 20 below!

Kurt, Island Sportshop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-13-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Hopefully we hit bottom for a while. 1/13 AM. temp -27 degrees! Forecast to be in the low 30’s by this weekend. Cold the past 9 days, severely affected angler participation. Reports from some of the more serious die-hards were surprisingly not all that bad. The one good thing about the most recent cold snap has been ice production. Last Monday ice thickness averaged about 13 inches, reports over the weekend have most lakes covered with 16-20″+, making for better access with full sized trucks.

Walleyes: Poor-Fair (improving). Despite brutal cold, a few anglers working the larger deeper lakes found some good walleyes over deep humps. Jigging Raps, as well as ultralight Rippin Raps and Vibrato spoons worked for fish of 20-26″. The tip-up anglers needed hole covers to keep their tip-ups working, but found some success after dark on suckers.

Crappies: Poor-Fair (improving). Most all the bay fishing (8-12’weeds)shut off during this cold spell. Occasional bites would occur. Best at this time was to work deeper water or flowages. Even then the bite was inconsistent. Some anglers in these situations found crappies surprisingly high in water column, sometimes 10-12′ high in 16-18′ water.

Northern Pike: Poor- Fair (improving). This species helped keep some anglers spirits up by tripping a few flags this weekend. Big shiners won out.

Yellow Perch: Poor- Fair (improving) Deep water was key for perch anglers. Cold kept searching to a minimum, so anglers hunkered down in their portables… pounding the mud, anglers have been able to wait out passing schools of perch. Hali jigs tipped with wigglers are best.

Bluegills: Poor-Fair. To cold to move about. A few fish on #14 gill pills tipped with a single spike.

Largemouth Bass: Poor.

With a warming trend moving into the area by weeks end, along with a new moon phase coming up, look for a break from this cold snap and some better action coming up.

Kurt

Island Sportshop
Minocqua, Wi

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-20-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Despite nice comfortable weather for anglers, fishing didn’t match up well with the conditions. Mild temps in the upper 20’s to low 30’s…. the first in over 2 weeks, plus a free fishing weekend brought out lots of anglers to the ice. Changing fronts and wind directions seemed to turn on (at times) but mostly turn off the fishing for the weekend.

Bluegills: Fair-Good. By moving out a little further into 10-12′ weeds anglers using small tungsten jigs tipped with single spikes or plastic (red, maroon, purple, black) were able to pick up nice gills of 8″+ working tight to the bottom. In shallower water(6-8′) more numbers of gills, but fewer keepers.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good. Anglers working deep mud flats finding some good action using Hali jigs, #2 pimples, #5 tungsten Fiskas tipped with wigglers or red spikes finding decent catches by pounding mud to stir up action. Getting around has not been the easiest on these flats, since few have packed down roads and slush has been a problem away from the crowds.

Walleyes: Fair. A few bright spots mid-late afternoons as changing winds and barometer movement opened windows of action for some anglers. Most action up along weed breaks of 8-12′ on tip-ups rigged with shiners. Fish seemed a bit negative to chase for the jig angler this weekend. Pick up and drops on tip-ups should be addressed with smaller minnows (lake shiners, large fatheads).

Northern Pike: Fair. Oddly quiet for such a warm weekend. A few days some very nice fish being iced (over 30″ers), but other days few flags. Big suckers and shiners preferred.

Largemouth Bass: Fair. Another fish we typically see more action from on weekends such as the last. A few on tip-ups w/medium shiners. A few on jig/waxies meant for bluegills.

Crappies: Poor-Fair. A few windows of opportunity on tip-downs baited with rosie reds, once that bite died, finesse dropping #10 rockers tipped with white or silver plastics did the trick.

Considering the new moon period its been disappointing that fishing hasn’t been better. More mild weather this week means the conditions should be great for staying outside. Won’t be building anymore ice under these conditions and slush and snow has limited ATV users to areas with well packed down paths. Ice at about 14-17″ overall, some areas more, not a lot as we move into late January.

Kurt

Island Sportshop
Minocqua, Wi

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-27-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Mild weather last week gave anglers plenty of reason to head out onto the ice. But sloppy conditions kept many from venturing out to far away from the usual haunts.

While ice thickness continues to average in the 14-18″ range, some areas of heavy use or early freezes have reports of 22″+. Despite this we have gotten two reports this past week of large lakes (Minocqua and Big Muskellunge) where despite averages in the low to mid teens in terms of thickness, measurements of only 6 & 7″ were taken over main lake beds. Caution even this late in January, is still advised!

Yellow Perch: Good. The typical deep water bite at this time of year is starting to show. Anglers able to get out over deep mud of 18-30′ of water using Halis, Pimples, Flickers and tumblers tipped with wigglers or red waxies are finding perch. Weed anglers in 8-12″ are also catching perch while looking for bluegills. Switching from waxies to medium fatheads help to entice the larger fish from these schools.

Walleyes: Fair-Good. Night bite is improving! As we move away from the new moon period, the after dark bite has picked up. Jigging Raps, Slender Spoons and Tinglers, the later two baited with minnow heads, are producing some nice catches. Off the deep weed edges as well on off shore humps. Shiners along weed edges, suckers the best choice over humps. On size exempt lakes, the more slender lake shiners on a #12 treble has helped tip-up anglers with light biters. Glow trebles have also helped.

Bluegills: Fair-Good. Action picking up, though in most cases sorting necessary to come up with enough keepers for a meal or two. Dark, tungsten jigs tipped with moussees or spikes fished close to the bottom on most days. When active, brighter colored jigs tipped with green, chartreuse or red plastics fished up higher doing the trick.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good. Not a lot of flags but nice pike in the upper 20″ to lower 30″ range on big suckers and shiners.

Crappies: Fair. Anglers starting to pick up some fish back up in weeds, but action is not consistant. Flowage anglers doing better over mud flats of 16-19′ on rosie reds. On natural lakes the last couple hours of light producing along transition zones of 14-22′ using minnows on tip-downs or glow jigs tipped with waxies. After dark its minnows on #14 trebles.

Largemouth Bass: Poor-Fair. Despite warming trend last week was rather quiet. One angler reported wrestling a 20″er on a jig and waxie meant for gills. Most catches on tip-ups with medium shiners.

A drop in temperature will hopefully firm up some of the more traveled areas. A couple inches of fresh snow (1/26) will only insulate things further. ATV’s are almost done on most lakes due to slush and snow. Snowmobiles are even having trouble with the sticky slush in some areas. Truck travel relegated to trails and plowed roads. be prepared with knee high rubber / neoprene boots, shovel, friend and tow straps…..just in case.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

Hey Mark do you know if the Clear Lake boat landing parking lot off of HWY J is plowed this year? I would be pulling a trailer and don’t want to get down in there and not be able to turn around. It’s that time of year looking to try different lakes. Mike

Mike:

I will be slipping across there tomorrow night to ER to ref a bball game. On the way back I will try to remember to roll in there. They usually plow into and towards the boat landing on the “J” side, leaving the picnic area unplowed. They may not go all the way down to the landing, but that parking lot is usually plowed for the ski and sled trails… More later!!!

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-03-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Down to just four weekends of the gamefish season left! Luckily things did improve some this past week, not great, but definitely better than that two week “dead zone” we had a couple of weeks ago.

Walleye: Good. The bite is improving, especially for the after dark crowd. Sandgrass flats or humps of 18-28′ producing #’s of nice eaters for anglers using suckers of 3-5″ or Lake Shiners on their tip-ups. Jig fishermen have seen an increase in action on Jigging Raps(#7), Rattlin Raps (#4), Chubby Darters and Vibratos. On shallower lakes, deeper cabbage edges (10-14′) producing some trophys this past week on shiners on tip-ups as well as a 28 1/2″ & 31″ by one angler alone. Jigging is also working on these weed edges.

Yellow Perch: Good. Biggest obstacle has been access to the mud flats where the perch are feeding. Lack of traffic on the slushy areas keeping things from firming up. Once out, anglers finding perch over 18-30′ mud flats feeding on wigglers (mayfly-larvae)and blood worms. #2 pimples, Flicker spoons, Flash Champs, Hali’s and Perch Talker jigs tipped with wigglers or red spikes. For perch up shallower in weeds, Forage Minnow jigs tipped with 2-3 waxies or a medium fathead on a slip-float or tip-down (when warm enough) producing well. Look for weeds of 7-12′ preferably with some deep water nearby.

Bluegills: Fair-Good. Some bites can be time of day specific, but decent catches (few limits) coming from 10-14′ weeds. Tungsten jigs have been used to get jigs down quickly to bottom. Tip with single spike, moussee or neutral colored plastic (red, black, brown). Some anglers having success over deeper water, working sandgrass flats, using #4-#5 Tungsten jigs to catch these deep water gills.

Crappies: Fair-Good. Like gills, they can be spotty. Bites in the bays coming back. In these areas slow-dropping rockers with white, pink or silver plastics are producing. Over deep water, minnows on tip-downs and slender spoons (1/16oz.) tipped with waxies are best. Watch for suspended crappies 4-7′ off bottom during the day. Hug transition edges towards dusk.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good. While the flag action is still not hot, nice sized pike of 28-33″ were reported over the weekend. Big suckers and shiners on tip-ups were the rule. Work sets out to 12-14′ depths with a few shallower just in case.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good. Warmer days bring more action, yet some nice fish of 17-20″ caught this past week. Medium shiners on tip-ups working the best for this fish in 8-12′ of water.

While ice thickness continues to average 14-18″ on most lakes, continue to use caution. Some areas of high traffic have over 2 feet if ice/packed slush, while others have less than a foot under virgin snow/slush. While cold this a.m. (2/2 -2deg. at open) temps into the 20’s by Friday-Saturday should make for good ice fishing conditions.

Thanks,
Kurt
Island Sportshop

Mark

Mike:

When are you coming up??? If you are going to try to pull that trailer and I haven’t gotten there yet, does it make sense to drop the trailer at Carroll and run across quick to check it out??? Went by, but didn’t have the time to sneak back there…

Mark

Thanks Mark coming up Sat. it has been plowed other years and thinking I’ll maybe hit the Rainbow instead.

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-10-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Following a chilly week, temps got nice enough over the weekend to get anglers out on the ice. Many experienced good, though not great fishing- but after the way things were in mid-January, good is pretty darn nice.

Northern Pike: Good. Action is picking up. Fish of all sizes doing well on large baits (suckers & shiners) in weeds of 6-12′, with larger (28″-34″) fish hanging along deeper edges.

Yellow Perch: Good. Varying depths. Weedy bays seeing good perch action with the best sized perch (9″) hitting medium fats or large rosies. Over deep mud flats its wigglers followed by red spikes as the best bait choices. Flash Champ spoons, #2 pimples, Halis, Flickers and smelt sticks. Use fast drops to get back down to roaming schools of fish and to stir up mud to attract attention.

Walleye: Good. Bite is best at dawn, dusk and again between 10-11pm. Walleyes becoming active as the sun is going down in weeds as shallow as 6′ and as deep as 14′. Shiners are a top choice in weeds. Jigging spoons, Raps and Chubby Darters are working well also. Try a slender spoon or Tumbler jig with a minnow head.

Bluegills: Good. Most action in 8-12′ weeds on small dark jigs of purple, black or red. Moussees, waxies, spikes crushed on a hook to get the juices flowing are working best. Plastics users finding red, maroon the best colors this week. Some gills being caught on very clear lakes over sandgrass of 14-20′. Use #4 or #5 Tungsten jig tipped with moussee or a red spike.

Crappies: Good. As with perch, two places to fish. Weedy bays (standing plants) using rockers (#8, #10), Moxy jigs and cecil jigs tipped with plastic (rockers) or waxies (moxy / cecil). For deep suspended fish use rosie reds on tip-downs / slip-floats or glow jigs loaded with waxies in 18-30′ of water. No reports of limits, but nice “meal or two” catches of 10-13″ fish this week.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good. Most bass catches on tip-ups- medium shiners or incidental by anglers trying for gills.

With little new snow for the past few weeks, existing snow drying up and giving way to cold in some areas. Travel conditions are improving, but not everywhere. Mostly truck and snowmobile travel. Ice averages are 16-22″.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-17-15:

This week of artic blast shut the door on fish and fishing this past week. Wind chills down to 25-30 below kept most anglers looking for other things to do.
Some improvement on Monday of this week, but by Wednesday it’s going to be super cold again. Temps will be in the teens for the weekend.

Pike: Poor-Fair. Due to weather over the weekend, this was the best fish to fish for thanks to tip-ups baited with shiners. Even though pike fishing had been slow, had excellent reports on Monday (2/16) after cold snap temporarily lifted.

Perch: Poor-Fair. Action is in weeds of 6-8’, but mostly small fish. Use medium fatheads or large rosie reds to target larger fish. Access to mud flats is getting better (very little slush, but, watch for “quick snow”). Wigglers on Hali jigs or Swedish Pimples best in 18-30′.

Walleye: Poor. Fishing seemed to really shut down for walleyes. Again good reports came in from anglers that went out on Monday, with action starting around 4pm.

Crappies: Poor. Was picking up nicely through 2/12 then fell off to near nothing over the weekend. Watch for improvement as the temps climb this week.

Bluegills: Poor. Too windy/cold to hole hop so very few anglers trying for gills.

Largemouth Bass: Poor. This species likes warmer conditions (temps over 20 degrees will spur action).

With only 2 weekends left in the gamefish season, anglers should be out and about this coming weekend to catch walleye and pike. Highs in the teens won’t feel so bad after last weekend and the warmer temps will help fishing.
The biggest drawback to travel is wind. Tracks/roads are drifting over with light powdery snow. Some areas only have 2-3” of snow on the ice, other areas have 14-18”. Ice depth averaging 22-27”.

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-24-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Though not as bad as last year, it’s been a cold February that has been keeping anglers off the ice and fishing tough when they do venture out. This final weekend of game fish season shows promise as temps look to get into the 20’s. Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass season ends at midnight Sunday!

Northern Pike: Fair-Good. Action slowly increasing since last week. As expected mostly on tip-ups with large shiners or large suckers. A few anglers scored some nice pike, jigging Raps and Swedish Pimples (#5-#6) dressed with a minnow head in 8-12′ weeds.

Yellow Perch: Best catches over mud in 18-30′ but bite is spotty. Wigglers on Hali’s & #2 Pimples. More action yet less average size in weeds of 6-12′ using Forage Spoons with waxies or medium Fats-Large Rosies. In the weeds, the larger perch have been bigger (11-12″) but few, lots of little perch (3-7″).

Walleye: Fair. Best at dark and after. Golden Shiners and Lake shiners in weeds to 12′ on tip-ups. Off shore anglers using suckers and Lake shiners over 18-24′ humps surrounded by 40+ feet. Jigging spoons also effective.

Crappies: Fair. A few anglers catching fish in bays on plastics or waxies. Best catches in these areas coming after dark using small rosie reds. Deep water action is best on rosies or crappie minnows from 3pm till dusk, along transition areas of mud/gravel in 17-24′. It’s been too cold for tip-downs so anglers have been resorting to setting up inside shacks.

Bluegills: Fair. Best catches over deeper water, some in areas anglers typically fish for perch and crappies. In depths of 14-24′ over mud, anglers using Tungsten jigs to get moussees and spike down quickly. Around weeds, fish deeper at this time, 10-12′ edges for the better gills using rockers with waxies, Gulp waxies.

Largemouth Bass: Poor. Cold temps slowing the bite. Use medium shiners on tip-ups for best action on warmer days.

Hopefully the game fish season will end on a high note- the past two years have not. Check out the Carrol Lake Tourney, over $10,000 in prizes, food. Tourney is Sat. Feb. 28th, we’ll be opening the shop @ 5 am. that morning!

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-03-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report: The game fish season ended on Sunday, March 1st. For what it’s worth it actually ended very well compared to past years when the season closed with hardly a whisper. But now that its over…..who cares?! Panfish is where its at now! While reports have not been great yet, A look at the forecast should put us right in line for some hot panfish action in the weeks to come.

Bluegills: Fair-Good. Most of the best action and better sized fish have been coming from 12-16′ of water. Tungsten Jigs in #3 & #4 sizes tipped with moussees, waxies or spikes have been pulling in the #’s though sorting has been necessary. Plastics in red, maroon, purple, black and natural (brown) have given the edge to experienced anglers to taking larger gills (8″+).

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good. Numbers in the shallow weeds on Lindy Slick jigs and VMC minnow jigs tipped with waxies- lots of smaller fish, few larger ones. With access improving on lakes, anglers moving out on mud flats to find perch using Pimples, Vinglas and Hali jigs tipped with wigglers or red spikes. Size average is better (8-10″). Tip-downs with rosies also producing.

Crappies: Fair-Good. This species will dominate anglers attention in weeks to come, but as yet action is still spotty. Best out away from weedy bays- over mud in 14-24′ (some places deeper), Tip downs with rosies or regular crappie minnows. Wigglers also work out over mud. Jig fishermen over deep mud using #5 Tungsten, #2 jigging raps dressed with waxies. With little new snow, travel is improving everyday. Forecast for temps in the 30’s this weekend should make for prime tip-down conditions.

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-10-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report:

Our break from winters cold came with high winds, making it tough to capitalize on the warm weather to fish panfish. With the long range forecast having temps in the 40’s and 50’s for a high, looks like there will be plenty of opportunity to ice fish without freezing.

Bluegills: Good- Very Good. Best action early in the morning, but action slower mid day. Using waxies, moussees and Chena bait on #3-#4 Fiska jigs in 10-12′ best. Plastics in pink, red, purple, maroon in the Skimpy and Duppie styles.

Yellow Perch: Fair- Good. Best fishing still a bit deep, 16-22′, over mud as perch are rooting through these areas feeding on mayfly larvae and bloodworms. Use a #25 Hali, #2 Pimple or #5 Fiska to get a wiggler (mayfly Larvae) down quickly. Stirring up the mud is a good way to raise attention from bands of roaming perch . Tip-downs with medium fatheads or large rosies picking up perch over both deep mud and some along 8-12′ weeds.

Crappies: Fair-Good. Action surprisingly soft considering the warm weather. Best times are before and after light in the morning, then again just before and an hour after dark in the evening. Tip-downs with Minnows best in 14-18′ depths along transition zones. Up in the bays most fish still hanging just outside bays in 12-14′ the fish moving into weeds taking Lethal Cecils, rockers and VMC nymph jigs tipped with waxies, Chena or plastics (silver, white and chartreuse this weekend).For tougher bites use Rembrandts and Purist jigs.

With snow still on the ice and ice thickness average 28-32″ on most lakes we still have some ice fishing to go, but with a forecast showing highs in the 40’s and low 50’s through the weekend we will lose the snow cover quickly- then start to lose the ice. One thing keeping ice on a while longer will be below freezing night time temps. Once snow cover goes, light should help stir things up below the ice and improve the fishing. Water moving down the holes will happen with the snow gone.

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-17-15:

Minocqua Area Fishing Report

Lots of warm weather and wind this past week ate up some ice faster than we thought. I measured as much as 26″ on some very overused, packed down areas- to as little as 18″. Averages were in the 21-24″ range. Two trucks having gone in on the Willow Flowage pretty much ended truck travel there. With so much water on top of the ice over the weekend it was tough to tell the ice conditions. Starting today (3-17), cold nights are firming things up top-side, but not enough to make ice. We shouldn’t be losing as much either. Creepers are a must for moving around, and tall rubber boots help keep feet dry.

Crappies: Very Good – Good. Action seemed to peak last Friday for now, with an increase in action showing up Monday (3-16). On the flowages, tip-downs with rosie reds or small lake shiners tops. Jigging with small Northland Forage spoons tipped with wigglers produced big slabs (released a 14″ and a 14 1/2″ on wed. myself). Some form of glow or the new UV colors worked best. On the lakes, early am. or the last hour before dark, best for anglers using tip-downs with minnows, jigging with either Lethal Cecils/waxies or rockers dressed with plastics.

Yellow Perch: Very Good – Good. Best catches over 14-18′ mud using Hali jigs to drop wigglers or red spikes. On less windy days tip-downs with minnows or the largest wigglers you can find on a #16 or #18 treble pulling up nice “eater” perch of 8-10+”.

Bluegills: Good. Very windy for good presentations. Tungsten jigs helpful to keep baits down in wind. Plastics in yellow, red, white reported best this week. Black & purple always a standby. Green had its day on Friday (3-13). Should be the hot color today (3-17) right?

Cold nights will prolong the ice season for a while, figure on ATV or walking to be on the safe side from here on out. Access still good, lack of snow kept run off to a minimum.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-24-15:

Though we lost some ice last week due to the warm weather, since Saturday (3/21) cold temps have held the ice we have in check. This is leaving the anglers with 16-24″ of ice on average to keep fishing on. While trucks are being driven on the south end of Big Arbor Vitae, it’s not really a good idea. It’s best to use ATV’s, snowmobiles or foot traffic from here on out. Shoreline access has been relatively good, probably due to the lack of snow for run off. Overnight temps in the low 20’s firming things up nicely now. A threat of snow for Tuesday/ Wednesday (3/24-3/25) could complicate matters, but lows of 10-13 deg. for the next couple of nights after should help conserve the ice we have through the weekend. Forecast for highs of 60 deg. for April 1st. will remove any snow and start the ice melting procedure again.

Bluegills: Good-Fair. Oddly… fishing for all three panfish species got tougher as the weekend wore on. Lots of reports of anglers marking fish, but not able to get bites. Diamond Jigs (in black) tipped with a red spikes or dark colored plastic have helped a couple of local anglers to nice catches of gills towards dusk. Ants (in black) have also been working. On tough bites, dark colors seem to be best. The best depths in 8-12′ of water.

Yellow Perch: Good- Fair. Several anglers gave similar reports of marking- and moving perch, but reluctance to bite. Mud flats still holding perch, use heavy spoons/jigs to get down quickly – tip with wigglers/red spikes. Tip-downs with minnows also working, but action slowed. Weed areas for perch producing nice plump fish of 8-11″ using VMC waxie jigs tipped with wax worms. Depth of 8-12′ best for weed bites.

Crappies: Good-Fair. Disappointing… as this should be great crappie fishing. While many anglers using tip-downs complained of very little action, it was the slow droppers, fluttering #8 & #10 rockers dressed with chartreuse, yellow or white plastics as well as light colored Purist Jigs that worked up decent catches. Some fish found just under the ice to 12′ down over weeds. Deep mud flat fish are best on tip-downs/minnows. Night fishing using glow jigs or glow hooks also working.

The hot bite will return – a few anglers actually did very well fishing away from the popular areas. Creepers have been a must, snow on ice will help- but won’t last.

Kurt

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-31-15:

Cold temps for late March (single digit mornings to start the weekend) put a huge stall on the spring thaw. Despite just enough warmth in the afternoons to get rid of mid weeks snow, it’s been 9 days of no ice melt, possibly even adding a little ice.

Bluegill: Fair. With a lot of high pressure and high wind, the bluegill bite has been off. Best to use small tungsten jigs tipped with single moussee, spike or wax worm held close to the bottom to lure in bites. Cold could be reason best bites are mostly in deeper water (12-14’). Searching out less pressured water has helped several anglers find catches when the “popular” spots don’t produce.

Perch: Fair. Deep mud flats still holding perch feeding on wigglers. Work the 14-22’ mud, banging the bottom to stir up mud to simulate feeding fish. The other area anglers are finding perch is up along weed edges of 8-12’. Minnows and minnow shaped jigs such as #2 Jigging Rapalas preferred in these areas.

Crappie: Fair. Fishing has been disappointing for this species. Deep water anglers having better success using tip-downs to pick up scattered biters. Some finicky fish being picked up using #10 and #8 rockers and a piece of Chena or plastic. Patience has been a must.

Things could change this week with temps of high 50’s to low 60’s and some cloud cover mid week. Ice in good shape as of now with averages of 18-24”. A few smaller lakes that didn’t freeze as well due to early ice up and more snow cover are in the 14-16” range for ice. Shoreline access is still good except where there is a current (Flowages) opening up. Coming warm spell mid week could hurt some north (south facing) access.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

Ice Update 4.2.15****
A day in the upper 40’s and two near 60 degrees, wind, a little rain and now lots of sun have changed the ice conditions quickly!
While large lakes are still holding some walkable ice, smaller lakes are loosing ice fast. Shoreline ice on north and east accesses has given way. The only true safe ice is from well protected south access (think Big Arb).
While not all details are in, one angler was reportedly pulled out of Squirrel Lake this afternoon (4/2) while reports of another may not have been so lucky on another area lake.
Please use EXTREME caution if considering going ice fishing this weekend!
Kurt

I am assuming that the airboat being towed behind the firetruck I pulled over for was after this particular fisherman.

GET YOUR BOATS OUT AND FISH THE WI RIVER OR RUN UP TO LAKE SUPERIOR AND ENJOY THE OPEN WATER!!!

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-07-15:

Following a weekend of several reports of anglers breaking through…one needing rescue, thankfully no fatalities as earlier rumored…ice fishing is nearly over for the season. Big Arbor Vitae still holds fishable ice on the south shore as of today (4/7) as do a few other protected bays, but, with ice thickness of 11-14’ of porous ice, conditions won’t remain safe for long. Weekend forecast in the low 60’s will end any question of ice fishing. The pond behind our shop is nearly 70% open. Historically, once the pond behind the shop is ice free, Lake Minocqua follows in 7-10 days. Keep in mind, while the Lake Tomahawk/Minocqua chain will have a zero bag limit on walleye for both hook and line and tribal spearing starting this opener, the Ceded Territories should see a 3 walleye bag limit over the entire area.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-07-15:

The pond behind the shop went ice free on 4/10. Typically this means Lake Minocqua will be ice free in 7-10 days. Thanks to temps cracking 70 degrees, lots of sun and high winds, Lake Minocqua is more than 50% ice free already. Many other lakes are already open and with a forecast of daytime highs in the 50’s and 60’s, conditions look good for a nice early season warm up.

A few anglers in the Lakeland area are testing the open water from piers or small boats for crappie, with not much to report. Down in the Tomahawk area is where most of the best reports are for walleyes and perch below the dams.

Keep in mind, this will be the first opener in three years the lake will be ice free! We will start the season with a 3 walleye per lake bag limit on all of the lakes (except Minocqua chain with a zero bag limit) in the Ceded Territories. The daily possession limit is still five walleyes, but if a daily limit is what you are after, you only have to fish 2 lakes versus the 3 or more lakes needed last year.

As we get boats on the lakes, we will report some surface temps.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From my travels to work and to other places while scouting for toms for this weeks turkey opener here in the Northwoods, I will tell you that these lakes are showing water…

Little Arb is open, West Basin Lake Minocqua had some ice, but is generally open, East Basin was mostly ice covered, Sparkling is iced over, Diamond is open, Spider on the Mannie Chain is open, Mannie Lake had just a bit of ice on the windy shore otherwise is mostly open, Mercer Lake in Mercer is open. I have heard through the Spring meetings last night that most of the County J corridor is open (Carroll, Madeline, Pickeral, most of the Rainbow Flowage, Gilmore, etc.). I’ve been stopping by Trout Lake on my way home, the south landing on S. Trout is opening next to Allequash Creek and the rest of the lake is still pretty tight. Based on these lakes, many others are open in areas I spoke of…

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-21-15:

A week plus of June-like daytime temps took care of all ice (Trout out as of this weekend). Many smaller lakes had temps shoot up so quickly as to have had the walleyes finish up spawning. Sunday saw temps back down into April reality, but, with many lakes in the high 40’s already, spawning should continue, just not as quickly this week. With the warm temps of last week, crappies got actively feeding. Anglers found live bait to be the best in the form of minnows and wax worms. On warm, sunny days crappies and gills move up to shallow flats to gather warmth. Long casts necessary to not spook fish. These fish are NOT up to spawn, just coming into the shallows for warmth and food. Bluegills in these situations are also being caught on worms and waxies. Present weather this week will prolong spawn of walleyes on larger lakes and rising temps will stall as highs in the 50’s forecasted.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-28-15: (retyped from the May 1st Lakeland Times)

Finally!!! Accessibility will not be an issue for the opener, a first in the past couple years.

With ice-out in the rear view, most all but a few large lakes are done with the walleye spawn and a gradual warming trend for the weekend means things look good for the opener.

While cold night time temps and mild day time temps saw surface water lose about five or six degrees from the highs of a week and a half ago, plenty of sunshine is bringing some of that warmth back to the lakes.

On lakes without major deep water, walleye spawn is over and recovery is on the way. While fishing, key in on any bright green weed patches, using light weight jigs to thread large fatheads on and slip them through the weeds. Also try casting minnow style stick baits (Rapalas, Rattlin’ Rogues, Thundersticks) over the tops of these weed beds. Slip-bobbers with fats are effective, but use one of the aforementioned first to locate green weeds.

On certain larger, deeper lakes (and a few mid-sized lakes further north) the spawn is just wrapping up. Deeper water just off the edges of the spawning areas will hold some fish. Use 1/8-1/4 oz. jigs tipped with chubs or three to five inch suckers.

As usual, redtail chubs and dace are in short supply to start the season. Blacktail chubs, walleye suckers and rainbow chubs will be easier to find. For most use, large fatheads are very good bait. Due to the early ice-out and warming trend, leeches are also a viable bait choice.

New regulations for a three fish (walleye) limit across the Ceded Territory brings some new size limits, most notably any lake with a 15” minimum will also carry a protected 20”-24” slot with only one fish above the 24” slot allowed.

Concerns about the zero bag limit on the Minocqua/Tomahawk Lake Chain affecting fishing elsewhere??? Due to an extreme lack of walleyes (DNR nets found mostly old females or small recently stocked fish) very few anglers have been charging the chain for walleyes. There are a lot of lakes to fish walleyes up here, and with the increased bag limits (plus the Lac du Flambeau lakes have a reduced size limit from 18” to the new 15” with 20-24” slot) there are plenty of places to fish while the Minocqua Chain has a chance to recover.

Best of luck to all anglers for this 2015 opener!!!

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-05-15:

Despite beautiful weather, the opener of the 2015 gamefish season was not as wonderful as we hoped. At least we had open water for the opener and some walleyes did get caught, just not in the overall numbers or by as many anglers as expected.

Walleyes: Fair. Some anglers found good success, but as a whole a lot of time went into not a lot of fish for an opening weekend. Walleyes were very scattered, some lakes found walleyes shallow. Casting #8 X-Raps on windward shorelines produced good catches where the combination of wave action and new emerging weeds helped walleyes take advantage of small perch. First breaks, in depths of 10-13’ were also good places to find walleyes recovering from the spawn using 1/8oz jigs and Dace minnows.

Crappies: Good-Very Good. Though most anglers were targeting walleyes, those in the pursuit of panfish did well. Crappies were being found either very shallow (1-3’) in warm, protected bays or out in 10-12’ depths, staging – waiting for waters to warm enough to consider spawning. Small minnows below slip-floats are catching their fair share. Anglers opting for no live bait have found success using VMC Nymphs and Wingdings as well as Cubby’s Mini-mites. The more subtle action of these jigs seems to be preferred with the cooler water over more active plastics such as twister tails. Nice fish of 10-13” being caught.

Bluegills: Good to fair. Most action taking place in shallows as gills are taking advantage of warm water. Waxies on small jigs below tiny floats on long cast. With thunderbugs and small leeches available try these bluegill favorites also.

Perch: Fair. Seeing some nice, but, thin spawned out fish in 6-8’ weeds taking jig/minnow meant for walleyes.

Pike: Fair. Surprisingly slow. Most reports of small fish on jig and minnow.

Largemouth: Fair. Same as pike, not being targeted much, but, some incidental catches.

Water temps vary from lows of 44 degrees on big deep lakes to highs near 60 degrees on small, shallow lakes. High skies and lots of sun have not helped walleye anglers. Lots of walleyes still seem to be in the transition of recovery from spawn. The expected hot bite either hasn’t happened yet or we may have missed it on some lakes. The upcoming weather of midweek should help.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-12-15:

A big swing in the weather from highs of near 80 deg. last week, to rain, sleet and even some snow (today 5-12). Daily changes in temps, wind and cloud cover meant anglers needed to be on the move to find their quarry, especially walleye.

Walleye: Good. Day to day things are changing. The warmer days with cloud cover brings walleyes into shallow weeds to feed. #7 Floating Rapalas, #8 Husky Jerks, #7 Countdown Scatter Raps and small Rattlin Rouges worked just at emerging weed top levels and around flooded grasses in 2-6′ of water producing. Jig and minnows also effective. Following cold fronts, move out to deeper water outside these shallow feeding areas. On deeper lakes lacking weeds, fish depths of 20-29′ using chubs on 1/4oz jigs.

Crappies: Very Good-Good. After a week of laying in the shallows collecting some heat, lots of crappies have moved out for now. With returning warmth, these same fish should start to return, this time with spawning being the reason. In the shallows, long casts with tiny plastics or small minnows below small floats needed to not spook fish. Casting Charlie Bee jigs/spins and small paddle tail grubs working also.

Bluegills: Good. On warmer days, gills are in the shallows with crappies. Thunderbugs, small leeches or waxies. Even on cooler days, same baits but out in weeds of 6-8′.

Northern Pike: Good. Lots of small fish active. Most catches on live bait (chubs, suckers). Anglers using #3 Mepps Comets are reporting good action in 3-6′ weedy flats.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair. Not being targeted a lot, though some anglers catching nice lengthier perch, but releasing due to lack of weight. These fish haven’t put on much weight after spawn, most likely, spent females.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair. During warmer weather last week, action good on stick baits (X-Raps, Husky Jerks, Rouges). As temps dropped anglers switching to more subtle presentations such as wacky worms or jig and plastic craws.
Today (5-12) is the low in temps for the week. As temps rise back into the 70’s by weeks end, watch for big improvements in walleye, crappies and bluegill fishing.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

I did start a new thread last week with a very detailed report that took two days to put together, so this is going to be an update of that report since opening day… Fishing for me has been very good for walleyes and crappie, though my crappie fishing was one day the weekend before the opener…

Since then we started on a clear lake, with moderate success considering everyone else not doing so well… On a dark water lake on Sunday May 3 and doing even worse, but at least keeping the skunk out of the boat!!!

Fishing on Tuesday found us finding fish (small males) in 25-30′ of water, then after being pushed off by other fishing boaters and then going back later we were able to keep five using the same jig/minnow combo as the first two days. I had something going on Wednesday so no fishing that day.

Finally getting a chance to be by myself found me back on clear water… A spot I had always wanted to try, but for reason too long to explain, I finally got my chance. I started by trying to pitch a jig/minnow at the break on the really windy shoreline, I had to turn the boat around get the bow mount going and tie on a crank. I love to throw them, but I can’t get my friends to be more aggressive, so I usually just wait til I am by myself. First cast 17″ smallie and then 5 more fish came to the boat in short order… All six included 2 – 17’s, 2 – 16’s and a couple of bucks around 12-13″‘s. Then another boat tried to sneak in and when that happens its time to leave. I know I can find biting fish in other places, so I am not going to show someone else what I got going!!! Off to other places and managed a legal walleye, but between the wind, approaching storms and work early the next a.m. I called it quits.

Friday night I took one of my ice fishing team members out as I promised him cause I wouldn’t allow him to play bball then put an adult at risk by driving him the 3 plus hours and then have the same adult have to drive himself home the same night. We start by pitching some jerks at rocks for smallies and and managed to find 3 smaller bucks, then a short musky which I had to perform surgery on. We looked at that same line going back downwind as I was seeing some interesting marks on the graph in deep water that I wanted to try to catch. Not catching prompted a fast move back to the deep spot that the walleyes were on Tuesday night. We managed 3 right off the bat, but that last fish got the line hung on something and that put the fish down, so we moved to a shallow spot we have done well on in the past… We had to wait for 30 minutes for the fish to move in and turn on, but they showed and we picked up two more plus two northern…

Sat. found me back on familiar clear water, trying to get more of those smallies from Thurs. night. Such was not the case, so I moved down the line
looking to see if the wind would activate them, so I moved the boat in shallow and casted out looking fro the fish to be on the deeper break. Not finding anything there I move to the wind side of the projection and was not able to find anything, I moved on to working on marking a huge chunk of area, I was interested in fishing, but hadn’t because I was not familiar enough to fish it intelligently. Went to see a friend and off to work and rested and rested the fish on Sunday as well.

Last night I was going to try to do a little bit of scouting for friends who come up the Wed. after Mother’s day to the same lake now for all 20 years I have been here and we were fishing the TFF for years before that during this week. I got to the landing to see the wind had shifted just enough to the west from the SW to impact the landing of my boat and couldn’t get it in on the NE landing as there was still a major southerly component in the wind.

So I went to a little lake next that I had been on with other people many many years ago… In an hour of checking out one spot, I managed to get the crank to catch a couple of legals and a nice smallie.

As I look out the window right now snow is falling and I think I might be able to get out and see what might still be biting… I have found mid to upper 50’s for water temp and one place has been in the low 60’s for a midsize lake…

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-19-15:

Despite waking up to snow on the ground (5/19) and cold winds, mild temps look to return by the weekend. It just seems like a long way off when you are sitting in a boat now! The past few days of wind and cold temps have slowed fishing, pushing some species out of the shallows. With forecasted highs only reaching high 60’s to low 70’s by the weekend, it will take at least until then to see fish return in numbers to the shallows.

Crappies: Very good to fair. Cold has shut down a lot of what was a very good bite. Males had moved in picking out spots to make beds. The females were hanging just outside. On some lakes the males are committed possibly already guarding eggs and won’t leave. Look for a return as waters move back into the low 60’s after having dropped into the high 50’s with recent cold snap.

Walleye: Good to Fair. Recent cold slowed this bite. Casting shallow running stick baits (Floating Rapalas, Rattlin Rouges, Thundersticks and #11 Scatterraps) over shallow, new plant growth, especially after dark has been a good producer. Jig anglers have to fish deeper as of late due to cold weather. The return of warmer weather should bring that daytime bite back up. While minnows have seen the bulk of the bite, some anglers reporting a good leech bite as well.

Bluegill: Good to Fair. Bite should return by weekend. Mini-mites tipped with waxies as well as small leeches fished in 4-8’ near weeds or drowned wood working well. Nice gills of 7-8 ½” reported on the Minocqua chain.

Largemouth Bass: Good to fair. Slower approaches working best with wacky style worms, jig and craw combos producing. As water temps climb, other tactics will come into play, but for now the subtle styles work best.

Pike: Good to fair. Pike are not as affected by the cold as the other species this week, but, still not as good a bite. Paddle tail grubs have been productive for pike as a lure that can be fished at different speeds. Without fish chasing on certain days of colder temps, stick to chubs or suckers under a float or on a jig.

Perch: Good to Fair. Some very nice perch (10-12”) being caught in shallow water (3-7’). Many feeding up to put weight back on after spawn. Don’t be afraid to use medium to large fatheads for these fish with big appetites.

Smallmouth Bass: Good to fair. Still catch and release only on this species, but some very nice smallies to 20+” on X-raps and jig and twisters this past week.

Musky: While always a guess to start the season (opens 5/23), a good portion of the population spawned earlier due to the warm April/early May. Typical tactics apply – 6” twitch baits and smaller bucktails. Some smaller rubberbaits would also be a good option.

While temps may not be as warm as we would like for Memorial Weekend, it is an early Memorial and the forecast looks good for nice, if not hot weather.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-26-15:

If I had wrote last week’s report 8 hours later, I would have downgraded everything to poor! Thankfully bites started inching up from the pit that was last Tuesday’s cold and snow, with bites improving each day since.

Perch: Good-very good. Perch seem to be turning on as lots of anglers found these fish in waters of 8-12’ weeds in great numbers feeding on medium fatheads meant for walleyes on jigs or slip-bobber rigs. While lots of small fish must be sorted through, plenty of 8-10” perch with occasional 11-12” are being caught.

Crappies: Poor-very good. Mixed reports. This is the species (beside musky for the opener) that most people target on Memorial Day weekend. Must say, results were all over the board. Some anglers found great success finding crappies that committed to spawning in the shallows. On a lot of lakes, crappies that got pushed out due to the cold last week seemed to be out of the dating game. Female crappies with undelivered eggs were being caught in 12-15’ depths with eggs showing signs of being past spawning phase and will be reabsorbed over the summer. With the cooler temps (55-60 degrees) over the weekend, minnows seemed to work best.

Musky: Fair-good. Not a lot of reports in as of yet on catches, but, good numbers of raised fish. It could have been the pressure, the nice weather brought out a lot of anglers.

Walleyes: Fair-Good. Oddly enough, afternoons and evenings out did mornings as walleyes responded better as the temperatures rose. Early in the week, deeper water was best as in 12-16’ depths. As the weekend progressed, fish moved onto shallow flats of 6-10’ taking dace, fatheads and redtails on 1/16oz weedless jigs.

Pike: Good. They got more aggressive as the week moved on. Jigs with spinners tipped with chubs or mud minnow as well as #3 Mepps in the same 6-10’ flats as the walleyes were feeding. Also paddle tail grubs on 3/8oz jig heads worked over weed tops.
Largemouth: Fair-good. Action is improving as water warms. While a few reports on top-water, the majority of action sub-surface on tube jigs and wacky worms.

Smallmouth: Fair. Season still catch and release only. Use x-raps in 8-12’ of water adjacent to small gravel/sand shorelines for these pre-spawning fish.

Bluegill: Fair. Cooler temps pushed this species out of shallows in many areas. Anglers fishing thunderbugs and small leeches had some success in 10-14’.
Bluegill bite will get better as waters warm this week, a couple of days in the 80’s mid week will shoot temps up nicely into mid to upper 60’s. Saturday’s forecast of a drop into the upper 50’s/low 60’s could hurt, but, warmer weather returning should put us on track for an improvement in fishing.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 6-02-15:

After another week of cold mornings and mild afternoons, it looks like the coming week should level off to more moderate temps. A stretch of relatively stable weather with highs in the low to mid 70’s every day is coming this week. That stability should help anglers pattern their favorite species.

Pike: Good. Action is picking up nicely, but, for the most part smaller fish reported. Jig and chubs meant for weed walleyes are accounting for most of the action. Those targeting pike are doing well rigging 3” paddle tailed minnows or 3-4” twister tail grubs on 1/8 or 1 /4 oz jigs and worked in weed tops high in the water of 6-10’.

Crappies: Good. Few reports of spawning fish. Those in the shallows being caught on traditional bobber/minnow combinations. Fish outside these areas using 1/32 to 1/16 oz. jig/plastic combo’s (Northland Thumpers and Charlie Bee’s doing well with the added flash of the small blade). Crappies found deeper than 10’ require some vertical techniques using jig with plastic or minnows and slip-bobbers to hold the bait at proper levels.

Smallmouth Bass: Good. They are staging in many lakes, but should move up this coming week if they haven’t already. Casting suspending twitch baits outside spawning areas in 8-14’ has been the hottest technique. Try X-Raps, Shadow Rap (new) as well as Husky Jerks and Rattlin’ Rogues. On the warmest of afternoons, top water baits also working.

Walleyes: Good. The best times to fish this past week were afternoons and evenings. Cold mornings put a clamp on most bites. It is still a strong minnow bite for the most part, but, leeches are starting to come into play. Casting lipless cranks over shallow sand/weed bars (Rattle Traps, Rattlin’ Raps) scoring fewer, but larger average size.

Bluegills: Good. They have been seen moving in shallow on warm afternoons. Most action has been on worms, small leeches and thunderbugs.

Perch: Good. Best action in the afternoons. With dragonfly hatches sprouting up, thunderbugs (dragonfly larvae) is an excellent choice on small thin wire hook below slip floats.

Largemouth: Good. Go slow in the morning with plastics (Wacky worms, creature baits) then pick up the pace in the afternoons on shallow running cranks or light spinnerbaits.

Musky: Fair. Fishing slowly has been best. Bucktails by far have been most effective, but bites hard to come by. Use soft bodied plastic bait as throw-back lure if followers won’t commit to bucktails.

With such extremes in temps this past week (lows in upper 20’s, highs just cracking 80’s) and mixing wind, no wind, rain then cloudless skies, the stability of this coming week will be welcomed. Most lakes have surface temps in the low to mid 60’s thanks to a few hot days last week. Smallmouth Bass (catch and release until June 20th) and Bluegills should dominate action reports in the coming weeks.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 6-09-15:

There has been a slow, gradual warm up of our lakes. Most surface temps are running between 64 and 68 degrees. Easterly winds, uncommon for up here, could be part of the reason the fishing has been spotty.

Pike: Good. Best bets using chubs or suckers on 1/16 to 1/8 oz jigs or jigs on a light wire leader. Swim baits and #3 Mepps are also working.

Bluegills: Good. Warmer days are best. Small leeches, thunderbugs and worms are best for live bait choices. As the gills come into the shallows on warm days, take advantage of insect hatches using small nymph flies. Bluegill fishing should only get better from here.

Largemouth Bass: Good. There are some signs of bedding on smaller, warmer lakes, but, for the most part we are pre-spawn. Large leeches are the best live bait choice for this species. As for artificial bait, try plastic worms, and craws in the mornings, shallow cranks during mid-day and hard top water baits towards evening. Not a lot of reports of big fish this week, but, lots of catches.

Crappies: Good. Try around deeper wood or weeds of 12-15’. Minnows below slip-floats are working.

Walleye: Good. Could be the east winds or small mayfly hatches (not Hexagemas) slowing things down a bit. Switch to crawlers or leeches when chubs aren’t doing the trick. A variety of depths are working depending on the day. Some days walleyes are being found in 6-8’ weeds, some in 15-16’ wood and other days 20’ rocks.

Smallmouth Bass: Fair. Crayfish cranks working best over breaks from shorelines with rocks/gravel. Jig and craw imitations also producing some post-spawn fish.

Musky: Fair. Smaller bucktails are working best in bays where bait fish and pre-spawn bluegills are congregating.

Perch: Fair. A few very nice fish over 10” have been caught along deep weed edges on bars protruding to deeper water. Warmer temperatures will improve this bite.

Thanks, Kurt
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop

Mark