Minocqua Area Report – 2017

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-02-17:

After weeks of very good ice fishing, if not always the best conditions, we hit a little bump this past Friday/Saturday. Southeast by East winds seemed to be the deciding factor in the slow down of the action. The amount of added pressure could account for some of the slow down, lot of people on not a lot of ice (7-10”). Got to figure all that noise from quads, snowmobiles, augers and people will make fish skittish in some of the shallower bays.

Bluegills: Very good-good. Action slowed and size dropped mostly due to aforementioned conditions. Those early/first ice gills got picked pretty hard, now still good numbers, but, anglers sorting to get their keepers. When bite slows, smaller jigs (#2.5, #3 tungsten and #12 and #14 jig flys) with a single moussee or spike work best.

Pike: Very good-good. A drop-off from action earlier in the week, but, still a good number of flags and some pike to 36” reported this week. Big shiners and suckers working best in 5’ to as deep as 14’.

Walleyes: Very good-fair. Action and size slowed as this species seems more susceptible to those east winds. Still, anglers were having some success towards and after dark. Smaller sucker minnows in the 2 ½” to 3” range did better. The jigging action slowed as walleyes got less aggressive. Try shorter lifts and slow drops, this is where the Hyper Glides have shown an improvement in hook ups over traditional jigging Rapala style lures.

Perch: Good-Fair. Lots of small fish in shallow weeds, but, anglers starting to probe deeper mud flats picking up fish using VMC tungsten Chandelier jigs, Hali #25’s and #2 pimples to get wigglers and red spikes down quickly to the perch. In shallower situations, spoons with a slower drop such as the smaller VMC Tinglers, Shiver Spoons and Vinglas that flutter more as they fall have been best to lure perch in. Tip these light spoons with 2-3 waxies.

Crappies: Good-Fair. The fish are there, according to the guys dropping cameras in the bays with 7-12’ green weeds, they “just ain’t biting”. Being fussy with wind they don’t like. Finesse with plastics is the best when they aren’t taking minnows. On the Flowages, a few nice crappies caught on rosie reds over 12-16’ wood.

Weather is switching as of this writing. A short warming trend looks to end Tuesday night when temps will drop off into the negative digits. Slowly rising by the end of the weekend. Travel still relegated to ATV, snowmobile and foot. If the snow misses us this week, the coming cold could add enough to our 7-10” ice average to allow small trucks in some places next week.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-09-17:

Severe cold kept all but the hardiest (most foolish?) of anglers off the ice this past week. Night time lows in the minus teens to twenties hurt participation for now. Building ice though will help anglers from here on out. Along with the cold, high pressure hung over the area, compounding what was already tough fishing conditions.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Those that braved the cold found small windows of action. Best came early mornings and late afternoons. Banging heavy spoons (Kastmasters & Halis) in gold or glow colors to attract attention, then relying on smaller, more subtle tungsten jigs tipped with wigglers or red spikes

Crappies: Fair-Poor – Best of reports came from Flowages where small rosie reds did best over channels of 14-20’.

Northern Pike: Fair-Poor – Holes froze up fast on tip-ups unless anglers covered holes to keep open. Few pike, standard tip-up fare – medium to large shiners.

Walleyes: Poor – Best just after dark. Smaller walleye suckers, large fatheads on tip-ups with negative bite.

Bluegills: Poor – Few anglers pursuing gills due to cold. Weather is starting to break as of late Sunday night.

Clouds, snow and a rise in temperatures should bring about some better bites for the coming week. Ice thickness reports coming in have most lakes at 12-15” +. Car and truck access improving which will open up more areas for anglers. While Flowages have the most ice in many places, due to currents, they can also have the least. Use caution on any Flowages you travel.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-17-17:

After getting dumped on with snow (13-15”) followed by some severe cold (morning lows in the -20 degree range), high pressure and a general lack of participation due to all of the above this past week, things are looking up for the week ahead. While fishing reports as a whole were slow, there were a few bright spots early in the week which should bode well for anglers with the coming warm up.

Yellow Perch: Poor-Fair – Once the cold and high pressure had settled in, anglers were starting to pick up perch over mud and some sandgrass in 18-28’ depths. Hali jigs, kastmasters and #2 pimples tipped with red spikes or wigglers.

Bluegills: Poor-Fair – Once the weather got tolerable enough for anglers to move about, some decent reports from anglers catching nice gills in 9-11’ of water. Moussees and waxies have been the preferred fare, with one angler icing a huge 11 ½” pumpkinseed over the weekend.

Northern Pike: Poor-Fair – Best action reported late morning thru mid afternoon. Big shiners.

Walleyes: Poor-Fair – Tough conditions for the walleye anglers of late. Best on smaller shiners, suckers or large fatheads. Down size to a #12 treble. Artificial action slow, should improve with coming warm up.

Crappies: Poor-Fair – Catches were spotty. Cold, snow and wind limited tip-down use. Best in deeper water using glow tungsten jigs tipped with waxie or small spoons (pimples, kastmaster) with gold or glow also tip with waxies. On flowages, rosie reds best.

Most travel was by truck or snowmobile after Tuesday’s snow, though on some larger, more open lakes the following wind pushed some of that powdery snow off. As the week progresses, forecast for temps to possibly hit 40 degrees by Friday should pack the snow down a bit and make ATV travel better. Despite what have been rather poor reports and conditions, things look good for this week. Average ice thickness 12-17” with 15+ being the norm.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-23-17:

Temps hovering in the low to mid 30’s and short bouts of rain for the past five days have pushed snow down on the lakes but have made things slushy. Fishing improved for the most part as we got some clouds and a drop in the barometer (a little too low Friday causing the bite to slow).

Yellow Perch: Good-Very good – Not a lot of reports on jumbos, but good #’s of eaters in the 8-10” range for anglers plying the mud flats of lakes in 20-25’ of water. Gold, orange and glow pimples, Kastmasters, Flash Champs and Hali’s tipped with wigglers or red spikes. Perch talkers also have been effective. On flowages tip-downs w/rosie reds best. What the Flowages lack in #’s they make up for in size – some anglers reporting 11-13” perch.

Northern Pike: Good-Very good – Most reports of #’s more than size, though a 39”er was reported from Lake Minocqua Sunday morning. Big shiners and suckers on tip-ups the usual fare.

Bluegills: Good – With warmer temps and holes staying open, anglers finding gills by hopping from hole to hole in 7-10’ of water. VMC waxy jigs, K&E Moon Glos and tungsten flys tipped with Moussees, waxies or red, chartreuse or green plastics worked well over the weekend. Sorting necessary.

Walleyes: Fair-Good – Best at or just after dark – a few early risers picking up fish pre-dawn/dawn. Jigging raps accounted for some very nice fish (27″ & 29” fish, both caught and released). Tip-up anglers reporting best action on suckers in depths of 14-22’ depending on size of lake. Sandgrass bottoms best.

Crappies: Fair – Flowages giving up best reports. Anglers doing well using tip-downs with rosies. Bite windows small, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Lake reports for crappies vary, best over deeper flats of 22-28’ using crappie minnows on tip-downs or glow jigs (pimples, Pug Bugs) tipped with waxies.

The rain has made things messy, anglers finding it best to use knee boots to keep feet dry. The plus side is snow melt allowing for better access, ATV use is back. By the weekend, highs in the 20’s should start to firm things up. Forecast is for 1-3” of snow mid-week, but it will be warm and wet.

UPCOMING DERBY DATES Jan 28th – Justin Donner Memorial Turtle-Flambeau flowage Feb 4th – United Way Stacks Bay, Lake Minocqua Feb 4th – Willow Haven Willow Flowage Feb 18th – Rob Lemmer Memorial Lake Katherine Feb 28th -Carrol Lake Ice Fishing Tournament Carrol Lake

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-31-17:

As we head into February and the lull in action that usually comes with, it seems the lack of snow on the ice is actually helping the fishing. More light passing through the ice (which at a 17” average, isn’t a lot for late January) is keeping weeds alive, which in turn, produces oxygen – and everyone likes a little oxygen in their life!

Yellow Perch: Good-Very good – Got to be mobile to cover mud flats of 20-26’ water. Flash and Bash, drop heavy, noisy, shiny spoons into the mud to create the appearance of actively feeding perch. Perch Talkers, Halis, Pimples, Kastmasters and VMC Chandelier jigs tipped with wigglers on red spikes. Some anglers picking up large perch using rosie reds or medium fatheads on tip-downs. For spoons/jigs gold, glows and oranges top colors.

Northern Pike: Good– No monsters reported this week, but plenty of #’s. Tip-ups with big shiners best.

Bluegills: Very good-Good – Action slowed as cold moved in. Anglers tipping dark colored tungsten jigs (Fiskas, Skandia) doing best in depths of 8-12’. Some big gills being caught over deep mud by perch anglers.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Weather has dictated the bite on these somewhat fickle fish. When the barometer isn’t too high or too low tip-downs with small minnows best along transition zones of 18-25’ mud. In shallower water of 8-14’ weeds , best on slow-dropping plastics of red, white or pink.

Walleyes: Good-Fair – Same as crappies, best on suckers over sandgrass flats/humps of 18-26’. Some action on jigging Raps and Hyper Glides when fish more aggressive.

With reports of trucks breaking through on the Willow flowage and down in Rhinelander, good to keep attention to conditions. Drop in the Willow could have much to do with ice conditions there. New snow (1-2”) is powder, still slick to walk on so creepers are advised. Overall, reports still have 17-18” average, though thinner “spots” still being reported.

UPCOMING DERBY DATES Feb 4th – United Way Stacks Bay, Lake Minocqua Feb 4th – Willow Haven Willow Flowage Feb 18th – Rob Lemmer Memorial Lake Katherine Feb 28th -Carrol Lake Ice Fishing Tournament Carrol Lake

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-07-17:

Unfortunately, fishing didn’t quite match the optimistic forecast of last week’s prognosticator. Most reports were of less action, though a few bright spots on the panfish front did come in.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Better bites came from anglers fishing shallow lakes with healthy weeds. Jigs shaped like small bluegills or perch tipped with waxies or minnows under bobbers best. Deep mud bite spotty, wigglers on Pimples or Halis best choice.

Bluegills: Good-Fair – Moussees, Waxies and Spikes on small dark colored (red, black, purple) jigs best. Some nice gills in the 9 – 9 ½” range on some smaller, out of the way lakes. A few big gills from the Flowages.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Several nice pike in the 31-34” range during a derby on Lake Minocqua this weekend. Big shiners and suckers on tip-ups as usual.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Flowage bite hot mid-week slowed on weekend. Bite picking up as of late (Mon/Tue) on lakes as weather moving in. Tip-downs with rosies best. Dipping plastics, as weather warms, also producing.

Walleyes: Fair – Narrow windows early and late. Most action on tip-ups and suckers.

Some nice bass, largemouth and surprisingly smallmouth over the weekend. Warming trend for weekend should improve most bites (but that’s been said before).

UPCOMING DERBY DATES Feb 18th – Rob Lemmer Memorial Lake Katherine Feb 28th -Carrol Lake Ice Fishing Tournament Carrol Lake

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-14-17:

Unfortunately, fishing didn’t quite match the optimistic forecast of last week’s prognosticator. Most reports were of less action, though a few bright spots on the panfish front did come in.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Better bites came from anglers fishing shallow lakes with healthy weeds. Jigs shaped like small bluegills or perch tipped with waxies or minnows under bobbers best. Deep mud bite spotty, wigglers on Pimples or Halis best choice

Bluegills: Good-Fair – Moussees, Waxies and Spikes on small dark colored (red, black, purple) jigs best. Some nice gills in the 9 – 9 ½” range on some smaller, out of the way lakes. A few big gills from the Flowages.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Several nice pike in the 31-34” range during a derby on Lake Minocqua this weekend. Big shiners and suckers on tip-ups as usual.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Flowage bite hot mid-week slowed on weekend. Bite picking up as of late (Mon/Tue) on lakes as weather moving in. Tip-downs with rosies best. Dipping plastics, as weather warms, also producing.

Walleyes: Fair – Narrow windows early and late. Most action on tip-ups and suckers.

Some nice bass, largemouth and surprisingly smallmouth over the weekend. Warming trend for weekend should improve most bites (but that’s been said before). UPCOMING DERBY DATES Feb 18th – Rob Lemmer Memorial Lake Katherine Feb 28th -Carrol Lake Ice Fishing Tournament Carrol Lake

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-14-17:

Ice conditions remain excellent for now throughout the Lakeland area. Averages of 17-20” with very little snow cover (2-4”) made for great travel no matter the method. Fishing overall was just fair. Lots of varying reports, with some anglers struggling while others found windows of success during peak bite times.

Crappies: Fair-Good – Best reports came from anglers using tip-downs on the Flowages. Rosie reds top bait on this dark water. On lakes, slow dropping plastics of white, pink and yellow tops in weeds of 10-12’. Best bites this weekend occurred between 11am and 1pm. A few true trophy crappies of 14-15” reported.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Small fish all over. Better fish deep, 26-34’ over mud using wigglers on Hali jigs, Kastmaster & Flash Champ spoons. A few larger perch taken on tip-downs baited with small-medium fatheads.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Action got better Sunday in wind, unfortunately, few anglers out to benefit. Standard fare of shiners on tip-ups.

Bluegills: Fair-Good – Most reports of anglers who found gills were of smaller fish. The few reports of larger gills (8+”) came from anglers plying deeper waters using #4 tungsten Fiska jigs tipped with a single red spike or a purple or black or red plastic wedgee.

Walleyes: Poor – Few reports over the weekend. The couple decent reports came on Monday from anglers getting out early (pre-dawn) using suckers or chubs on tip-ups.

The coming forecast of temps hitting the mid 40’s for 5 straight days will make for great conditions to start, but could be the beginning of the end of our ice season. With little snow to protect the 17-20” of ice (we should have 30+ by now on an average year). We may see our ice season end by late March. So better get out while the getting is good! UPCOMING DERBY DATES Feb 18th – Rob Lemmer Memorial Lake Katherine Feb 28th -Carrol Lake Ice Fishing Tournament Carrol Lake

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-21-17:

Great weekend to be out on the ice. Plenty of ice, temps in the 50’s, scattering of good reports and just an overall good experience. Travel being great, the only issue being the need for knee high boots and creepers as things got slick.

Crappies: Very Good – Weather being perfect for tip-downs – holes not freezing and not much wind – anglers targeting crappies had a lot of success using tip-downs and rosies. Anglers slow dropping rocker jigs (#10 gold or white) tipped with plastics (white, yellow, pink) did extremely well – especially late afternoons.

Yellow Perch: Very Good – The deep bite has been good using Pimples, Halis, Kastmasters and Demon Tounges tipped with wigglers or red spikes. Depths of 22-32’ best with some real nice perch of 11-13” coming from the big clear lakes. A shallow bite is also occurring, cabbage flats of 7-10’ producing nice catches. Here minnows, minnow heads or several waxies on Northland Forage Fry has been producing as these fat perch have been feeding heavily on young of year bluegills of about 1-1 ½” long.

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Seemed a slow start, but action picked up for tip-up anglers using large shiners for bait.

Bluegills: Good-Very Good – With warm weather anglers moved about and scored good catches dropping dark colored Fiska, darts and Moon Glow jigs tipped with moussees, waxies or black, purple or red plastic tails.

Walleyes: Fair-Good – A little more participation helped the reports, though later at night came the best bites. With walleye sized suckers being hard to come by, anglers resorted to chubs, shiners and even large fatheads on Glass Eye jigs to score.

Only two weekends left for the inland lakes gamefish season. The warmth, plus rain Monday took the snow cover down to bare ice. Travel is great, though a few south facing launches will have to be watched. Ice thickness started out Friday at about 20-21” average. Still in 18”+ range as of Tuesday (2/21). Heavy snow for Thursday will complicate travel for ATV’s. Caution advised anywhere you go. UPCOMING DERBY DATES Feb 25th -Carrol Lake Ice Fishing Tournament Carrol Lake

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 2-28-17:

Winter came back! A week after the balmy 50’s were here, temps dropped back into the teens and 20’s. Snow and wind made it feel even colder. Wind had the most limiting effect on anglers, especially now that most have removed their permanent shacks. Despite the conditions, some surprisingly good reports came from the hearty souls who toughed it out recently.

Crappies: Very good-Good – Best in the afternoons and through dark. With cold and wind effecting tip-down use (which was still good when manageable) anglers fishing minnows below small floats doing well as are “dippers” with rocker jigs tipped with plastics or Lethal Cecils tipped with waxies. The bite has been good with lots of limits reported.

Walleyes: Good – First time this high up on the charts in a long time! Despite lack of walleye suckers for bait, some very good action after dark…and even during the day, including a 25 ½” derby winner from only 7’ of water. Small to medium shiners, jigging Raps and Hyper Glides as the aggressive bite has lent itself to some good jigging action.

Northern Pike: Good-Very good – Some nice fish in the 32-34” range the past couple days. Big shiners and suckers (if you can find). Flags not flying, but better quality fish of late.

Yellow Perch: Good – Still two distinct bites. The shallow, cabbage flats of 7-10’ producing best #’s with some real big perch mixed in. Minnows best, but a Demon tongue or Vingle Spoon with 2-3 waxies threaded on working also. Over deeper water, mud flats of 16-32’ producing using Hali jigs, Pimples, Flash Champs-tipped with wigglers or red spikes. Punch holes and move around to find roaming schools of perch.

Bluegills: Good-Fair – Wind affected these anglers the most, keeping them from moving about. After last weeks heat wave, some bodies of water with incoming stream saw gills move in as shallow as 5-7’. Small dark jigs tipped with dark plastics or Chena doing well.

Ice is a concern for anglers even up here. We never received the snow that was forecasted (got about 4”) but reports of ice thickness vary from highs of 20” (on heavy traffic lakes) to as little as 10-12”. Caution is advised! So far ATV, snowmobile and foot traffic is fine. We can’t advise safe truck travel though. Most permanent shacks have been removed (or should be)! Night time temps in teens have been firming ice up, not making any, just keeping what we have where it’s at. The game fish season for inland lakes ends this Sunday, March 5th. You can fish for walleye, pike and bass up until the stroke of midnight on March 6th. I’d advise watching websites or calling your favorite shop for ice reports in the coming weeks.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-06-17:

It seems almost every first week of March our gamefish season ends with a yawn, this past one was no exception. Overall, fishing got tougher as the weekend progressed. There were a few bright spots and a few big fish, but overall a drop-off from mid-week as cold temps Friday morning (down to -6 degrees) and high skies along with SE-E winds put a kabosh on the end of the gamefish.

Bluegills: Good – Surprisingly good reports as despite lots of small fish, anglers reported nice catches of 7-9” gills. Teardrop and small Rockers (#12 : #10) as well as 2.5 and 3 Fiskas, tipped with Moussees, Waxies or black, red, purple or Motoroil Skimpies and Duppies as well as ISG Leechettes working best. Depths of 6-12’ with the bigger gills of the weekend being found holding tighter to the bottom.

Crappies: Very good-Fair – What had been a hot week of crappie fishing slowed as we got to the weekend. Tip-downs baited with rosies were hottest, but as bite got tougher it was the slow drop technique using #10 Rockers that pried the best bites. Tipping Rockers with pink, bubblegum, white and yellow seemed to do best. Silver and green reportedly working for some anglers. Lots of smaller fish mid-day with the best bites coming just before dark with the larger fish.

Yellow Perch: Very good-Fair – Like crappies, what had been good mid-week bites died down to little fish for the most part. While deeper water providing better average on Pimples, Kastmasters and Hali jigs tipped with wigglers or red spikes it was the shallow water that gave up a few bigger perch – though the shallows seem flooded with little perch also.

Northern Pike: Season ended Sunday, not much to report, but one angler reportedly caught and released a 40” pike on 4# test and a jig pole.

Walleyes: Season Over. Some good reports from Sunday night, anglers fishing after dark.

Ice conditions improved for the most part over the weekend. The lakes were making lots of noise as the cold temps had ice forming and hardening. Sunday’s 40 degrees plus wind ate off the remaining snow cover. Tall boots and cleats will be necessary. Still can’t recommend truck travel, but ATV, snowmobile and foot good. A few reports on well-traveled fishing areas have up to 20” of ice, though 15-16” is average. This coming weekend should see good travel conditions as temps cool into the teens and single digits at night followed by highs in the upper 20’s to low 30’s.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-14-17:

If the weather forecasters are to be believed…(pause till laughter subsides), starting March 15th on through for the next two weeks, area high temps should run low 30’s to low 40’s with night time lows in the teens and 20’s – Great for syrup makers! What this will do is extend our ice season through the month of March. The first couple weeks of March have seen temps so cold that we are seeing (and hearing) ice being made? Ice thickness reports are now increasing, averages pushing up into the 18”+ range with highs of 21-22”. High winds (up to 59 mph) last week kept anglers off the ice. Morning lows in the single digit to sub 0 temps didn’t attract a lot of anglers to head out. Reports were generally poor with small windows of action.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Poor – Fish were finicky and best action coming from very small fish if at all. Eventually, these fish will get shallower as the season progresses. For deep water action, #2 Pimples, #35 Halis, Kastmasters and Chandelier jigs tipped with wigglers or red spikes in 18-28’, mud best bottom, but some sandgrass flats holding fish. Shallow water perch (12’ and less) tend to be more aggressive. Choose larger baits to try to discourage the tiny fish from bothering your baits. #2 jigging Raps, Demon Tongues, Live Forage Spoons and Forage Minnows dressed up with two to three waxies or a minnow head as well as a larger crappie minnow to medium fat head work best.

Bluegills: Fair-Poor – Cold made gills finicky. Tiny Tungsten jigs tipped with single spike, piece of small plastic with red, purple, maroon or black being best. Catches were fewer with smaller fish.

Crappies: Poor – Bite has gotten tough. Small fish for the most part. Hard to finesse with wind, when possible #10, #12 gold rockers and Lethal Cecils in pink, gold, silver and purple tipped with light colored plastics or Chena.

Despite the dismal report, things should improve dramatically with upcoming warm up. Ice thickness is good (dug up to 18” lows @ 14”, highs at 21”). With cold nights and above freezing days, expect another 2 weeks of good ice fishing.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-21-17:

Nice change to the weather brought on a nice change in the fishing. Warm temps and little wind (‘til today 3/21), got anglers out and fish snappin’. Following tough weather and fishing, a great change.

Crappies: Very Good – Best results early mornings, towards dusk and after dark. During warming trends it’s been tip-downs with crappie minnows or small rosies. Still some anglers finding crappies as deep as 25’ – to even 40’ of water, typically suspended 4-8’ off the bottom. For the inshore crowd (and in some places they are crowds) setting up a pair of tip-downs while slowly dropping #8 or #10 Rockers tipped with waxies, Chena or light colored plastics best. Early afternoons slow, but fill in time for gills.

Bluegills: Very Good – Fish 1-4’ off bottom in 5-10’ of water using Fiska, Skandia or Northland Tungsten jigs to get bait down quickly. Plastics in red, maroon, purple, black and blue best. Red spikes, Gulp Alive Waxies in pink and small slivers of Chena all good. #12 Rockers a good choice in shallower water.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Still some deep mud bites using Halis, Pimples, Kastmasters and Flash Champ Spoons to get wigglers or red spikes down quickly. In shallower water, medium fatheads, large rosies on tip-downs or minnow shaped/profile spoons (the Northland Forage Spoons shaped like little bluegills have been HOT!) baited up with a couple waxies very good.

We actually have more ice (20-24” in places) than we had a month ago. Can’t and won’t recommend truck travel (but they are out there), but must recommend cleats (it’s slippery). Fishing overall very good and despite above freezing days, below freezing nights are going to keep us on the ice for a couple more weeks.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-28-17:

Some intermittent rain, but mostly cloudy weather has been hanging over the Northwoods this past weekend. Fishing overall good, if not great. East wind on Saturday may have slowed bite but action has been considered steady with some periods of excellent action.

Crappies: Very Good – Fish of choice for many anglers at this time of year. When bite is on, tip-downs baited with crappie minnows or small rosies hard to beat. As bite slows, slow dropping Lethal Cecils tipped with sliver of Chena, white plastic or waxie best. If fish shy from this offering, time to get more subtle with a smaller jig, preferably #10 or even #12 Rocker, tipped with plastic. Still some deep fish being caught, yet on most lakes the 8-12’ cabbage, with some reports of fish in as shallow as 5-6’ being found.

Yellow Perch: Very Good – Most action in shallow weeds. Fish moving to these areas heavy with spawn, feeding big. Use crappie minnows or even medium fatheads on tip-downs or below small floats. Jigs shaped like tiny bluegills tipped with waxies a favorite. Some deep perch still being found in 20-25’ of water. Tip-downs baited with rosies on larger Tungston jigs as well as Halis and Pimples to get down quickly. Tip these jigs with wigglers or red spikes.

Bluegills: Very Good – Action hot in some locales, but sorting needed. Still, nice limits of gills reported. Anglers using small Purest, VMC Larvae jigs, and small #2.5 or #3 Fiska jigs tipped with a waxie or single spike as well as any “ant” style jig. Fiska jigs tipped with dark colored plastics (purple, red, maroon, black and motor oil) doing well.

Ice thickness varies from as high as 20” to as few as 14” with most reports of 15-16” averages. Low 40’s with clouds wasn’t enough to counteract the night time lows – but that could be changing! Forecast of highs in the low to mid 50’s this week, plus sun, could eat away at the ice pretty good. For most locations this weekend, will probably be the last for safe ice. The south end of Big Arbor Vitae lake traditionally holds on to its ice longest so should still have some fishable ice next week. Access and bite still good for now, take advantage while you can.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

STAY OFF OUR ICE!!!

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=9&ArticleID=34826

Unless you know the ice you are going to be on DON’T GO!!! Two fellas went through on Buckskin needing help to get off. One was hospitalized and the other figured out how to get onto an island until help came for him.

I understand that there was another incident on the Three Lakes area on thunder Lake

Both of these lakes are notorious early on, early off lakes. I had friend who fished Squirrel yesterday and started on 10.5 inches and were only on 8″ on the way off. I also talked to another friend last night who was on Big Arbor Vitae, notorious for being one of the last lakes to lose its ice. He said he was on 14″, but it was pretty sketchy and wouldn’t recommend it without jumpig up and down on it pretty hard!!!

Our ice out averages close to the April 15th date, but with this weekends temps and if there is any sun with it, we will be opening up pretty fast

Mark

Solberg spilled its guts last night. Pretty cool watching the ice go out. Dissapointed in not being able to hit the ice one last time like I planned this weekend. Thanks for the reports Mark.

Talked with a guy today from Park Falls at a shotgunning coaches course who said much of the Phillips Chain had opened up as well. There were peeps on the Lake Tom Bay on Tomahawk Lake and a guy at the gas station told me he was on LT Bay and Big Arb and the fishing wasn’t really good enough to go out on again…

Mark

Mark, now that the ice is leaving us we should plan a meeting at the Willow late April for some crappie fishing, if I cut through the Federal it is only 35 miles from my house and pretty much a straight shot as long as you dont mind meeting on the west side of the flowage! Keep it in mind!!

How about Nokomis??? or maybe even the Phillips Chain??? Pike/Round Chain??? Most all of those have pavement to their landings…

Mark

I think our ice is going to be out this weekend for us to start chasing panfish around the area lakes!!! Yeah!!!

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-18-17:

Nice weather in the 50’s is warming shallows and getting the fish and the anglers in the mood. Lots of walleye spawning (season closed, no fishing for this species allowed up here). Perch also moving into shallows to spawn. Some crappie and gill action on warmer days.

Yellow Perch: Very Good – Spawning in shallows amongst vegetation. In some areas females spawned out already, these big girls will get hungry in a few days. Shallow, dark lakes warm fastest. Other lakes experience hundreds of fish in as little as 6” actively spawning. Crappie minnows, ½ crawlers 6-10” under small floats.

Crappies: Good – On sunny days search out brush or heavy grass in shallows. Crappie minnows, medium fatheads and even small plastics worked slowly around cover best.

Bluegills: Good-Fair – Warm afternoons bringing gills into shallows. Waxies, worms, spikes on small jigs/ice jigs under tiny floats best.

Don’t have water temps to report yet, but by reports of walleye spawning activity most likely in low 40 degree temps.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-25-17:

Pan fishing has been very weather dependent, very good reports on the nice warming days. When cold, rainy, and yes, sometimes snowy, the shallows cool and the fish move out.

Yellow Perch: Very Good > Most have spawned out by now and have started to recover and are hungry. Great time to find larger perch up shallow feeding on minnows, ½ crawlers below small floats or tipped behind light jigs of 1/32 oz.

Crappies: Very Good – Good > Up in shallows on warming days. Tossing tiny plastic tubes under small floats, sometimes dressed with waxie or spike. Small minnows as well as 1” twister tails also effective. This is not a spawning movement, these fish just up to get warmer water to help with egg production.

Bluegills: Good – Similarly moving shallow on warming days. Tiny jigs tipped with worms, waxies or Gulp waxies best.

Cold weather moving in late this week will slow otherwise good pan fishing. Lots of walleye spawning is done, some larger lakes still in the midst.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-02-17:

A little smack of winter came back (just to let us that live in the Northwoods know where we live) and with the cold, wind and snow brought a slow down to our fishing. Reports of the panfish bite shutting off somewhat have been mixed with good reports of Walleyes being accidentally caught by anglers seeking Crappies.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Bite best on warming days. Small jigs of hair or plastics best below small floats suspended 6-8’ down over 12-14’ of water. Crappies moving shallower when weather warming. A 15 1/4” brought in, along with numerous reports of 12-13” fish.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Dropping water temps pushed them out from their post spawn feeds. As with the Crappies, warmer conditions will bring them back in as the shallows will fill back up with minnows and insects.

Bluegill: Poor – Few reports due to cold and snow.

Water temps have fallen a bit (avg 40-43 degrees) while water levels have risen. What started out as a warm mid-April has given way to a cold late April/early May. Luckily the forecast for the opening weekend is warmer and dry. Down side to all the rain is with streams and rivers swollen, our favorite early season live bait – redtailed chubs and rainbow dace – are impossible to come by. Black chubs, 3-4” suckers and large fatheads, as well as leeches if waters warm into low 50s, should all be good choices. Shallow running stick baits – Rattlin Rouges, X-Raps, Husky Jerks, Thunderstiks and good ol’ floating Rapalas will be good low light period choices. Casting 1/8 oz jigs tipped with 3” twister tails is a great way to “search out” aggressive fish. On most small to medium sized lakes, target patches of green weeds. On large lakes, Walleye spawning still occurring – focus on gravel beds next to deeper water. At this writing the snow is coming down, but outlook is for a good opener this weekend.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-09-17:

Opening weekend arrived with cold overnight temps and North by North East winds playing against most angler’s hopes. Still, its opening weekend and we get to fish so who’s complaining?? Dropping night time temps and less than ideal wind direction pushed fish out of the shallows in most cases. But by working nearby depth, anglers reported some good Walleye and Crappie catches, if not by the speed and frequency they hoped for.

Walleye: Good – A few pre-dawn anglers found shallow active fish by casting 3” Swimbaits as well as #7 Floating Rapalas in waters of 5’ and less. And while a few other reports of shallow catches have trickled in, for the most part deeper water of 10-20’ was required to find fish willing to feed. Thoughts are the water temp doesn’t change as drastically at these depths so fish more comfortable. While most anglers reporting catches on Dace, Rainbow Chubs and large Fat Heads on jigs, finding mostly may fly larvae (wigglers) in the bellies of Sundays catch led me to use medium leeches on slip-bobbers in 15’ of water to procure Monday’s limit.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Wind and colder temps slowed this action, but some very nice 12-14” crappies caught in 15-18’ of water over the weekend. Not bunched up, so working several spots needed to catch a meals worth. Gapen Fresh Water Shrimp tipped with a small Crappie minnow.

Northern Pike: Fair – Not a lot of strong reports, most from anglers targeting shallow Walleyes and these tended to be smaller Pike. Jig and minnow, as well as Swimbaits and shallow running Stickbaits intended for Walleyes best.

Bluegill: Fair – While not very good Bluegill weather, a few big gills caught by anglers targeting Walleyes in deep wooded areas. As weather warms watch for this bite to get much better.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Poor – No reports of anglers targeting Largemouth though a few incidental fish caught.

Early mornings have been tough with temps dipping to low 20’s by dawn. Highs in the low 60’s helping late afternoon and evening bites. While the spawn for Walleyes done on all but the largest lakes, some of the best Walleye fishing to come as shallows warm into mid 50’s and recovering Walleyes move in to feed in the shallows. Crappie, Bluegill and Bass fishermen will also see better fishing as these species will use the warming water to feed and help egg production.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-16-17:

Dogwoods are blooming so you know love is in the air for Muskies and Crappies. Water temps ranging from lows of 52-53 degrees on the large lakes to 57-59 degrees on smaller lakes and flowages. With shallows warming this past week, bait fish, insects and leeches are showing up and the fish that feed on these are not far behind.

Crappies: Good-Very Good – Some still staging while others making early forays into firmer bottomed shallows looking to nest. Slip-bobbers and small minnows always a hit! Anglers casting small jigs with hair (Pinkies), plastic (Twister Tails or Mini-mites) and tiny spinners doing well. In areas of wood, which collects heat that warms the water around it, crappies not ready to spawn are staging.

Walleye: Very Good-Good – A transition still seems to be on the way as the deeper bite wanes and the shallow bite gets better. With the absence of Red-tailed chubs this season, anglers are using Dace, large Fatheads and Walleye suckers on 1/16 oz weedless Jack’s and SloFall jigs to entice bites from any green vegetation. Leeches also effective choice. Casting shallow running stick baits (Foating Rapalas, Scatter lipped Rapalas, Thunderstiks and Rattlin Rouges also still very effective.

Northern Pike: Good – Working stick baits such as Rouges and Thunderstiks over shallow weeds. Jig and suckers on light wire leaders as well as swim baits have been effective.

Yellow Perch: Good – Nice sized perch relating to drowned wood in 6-8’ of water. Use medium leeches or Thunderbugs on light wire Aberdeen hooks to be able to “pull” out of snags.

Largemouth Bass: Fair– (Yes, the Largemouth bass season is open throughout the state – even North of Hwy 64 – BUT NOT SMALLMOUTH). Few targeting, but incidental catches on leeches and suckers meant for Walleye and Pike.

Bluegill: Fair – Good earlier in week. Anglers mostly focusing on Crappies, those after gills using Mini-mite jigs (Reds & Browns) tipped with Waxies in 5-7’ weeds.

A series of storms this week will throw a wrench in the plans of many anglers. Following this storm system air temps will cool into the upper 50’s for the weekend. Crappies that have committed to spawning will stand their ground, but some may not come in and “miss” their magic moment. Keep watching for newly greening weed beds to hold Walleyes, Bass, Perch and gills. Musky, though not open to fishing, are active, swimming the shallows looking for mates and getting caught – release them gently, they still have a job to do!

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-30-17:

A constant change from rain, to a day of sun, to more rain, to hail, a little sun, etc. etc…made for a difficult–to-follow fishing weekend. Despite being what it was, anglers reported pretty good fishing at times.

Crappies: Good-Very Good – Stages were all over the board as anglers were finding some on beds, yet others finished and some that may not come in due to the fluctuating temperatures. Once found the standard small Crappie minnow under a float scored well. Casting small jigs (1/80 – 1/64 oz) with tiny tubes or small swim tails on twisters working. Small #0 Mepps worked outside spawning areas where staging Crappies could be found, also effective for some big slabs.

Walleyes: Very Good-Good – Seems like daily shifts in location, sometimes by as little as 2 – 3’ depth increments and the changing weather has a lot to do with it. Minnows, leeches, as well as shallow running (4 – 6’) stickbaits also effective when Eyes up in shallows of 4 – 8’. Deeper water anglers using chubs in 18 – 25’. Most catches of “slot” fish (20 – 24”) but a few “eaters” (15 – 20”) being caught on Lindy rigs with chubs.

Northern Pike: Good – Swimbaits fished over 5 – 8’ weeds as well as spinnerbaits (Boonies, Booyah) working best. For the more laid back approach, the ol’ stand by 5″ – 6” chub or sucker under a float always a good way to entice a bite or two.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Lots of shallow “Cruisers” on the sunny days. Smaller (3 – 3 ½”) swimbaits, shallow Shad Raps, #8 Husky Jerks and X-Raps. Not much for top water yet, but coming!

Bluegill: Good – Best on sunny, warming days in shallows of 4 – 8’. Mini mite jigs, wet flys behind clear casting floats and Thunderbugs threaded on a #6 Aberdeen hook. Worms and small leeches won’t be denied either!

Yellow Perch: Fair – Best reports were on warming days in flooded wood using medium leeches or ½ crawler.

Muskie: Fair – Some sightings on spinnerbaits, bucktails and small twitch, but few reports of hook ups.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Catch and Release only but showing up in the shallows. Work X-Raps, Husky Jerks and Rattlin Rouges along gravel shore lines.

Water temps shot upward starting with last Thursday’s sun. Some Crappies moved in to spawn. Smallies setting up. Most lakes showing surface temps of 58 – 62 degrees. Cooler mid-week temps giving way to 70’s by week’s end.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 6-06-17:

Finally, some nice, warm and mild weather to start our June out. Water temps rising, Crappies finished, Smallies just about and Largemouth and Bluegills up next.

Bluegill: Very Good – Staging up outside spawning areas. Anglers working 4 – 6’ of water doing very well with thunderbugs on #6 gold Aberdeen hooks under a small float. Small leeches, leaf worms, tiny tube jigs and even #0 Mepps spinners have been scoring well on larger (8” and up) Gills.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Staging up also, actually some reports of bedding on small lakes. Morning and day time action best on Wacky Worms, plastic salamanders, Craws. Towards evening top-water action on Whopper Ploppers, Chug Bugs

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Casting twitch baits such as X-Raps, Husky Jerks along shallows of 2 – 6’. Top-water action also good on Skitter Pops and Pop R’s.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – High pressure slowed bite past few days. The Storm 360 G.T. has been good, as well as other 3 ½ – 5” Swimbaits.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Weeds of 6 – 8’ and wood on 10 – 14’. Both areas produce best on Thunderbugs, medium leeches and medium fats second choice.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Oddly scattered, some shallow others deep on same water. Deep fish gorging on mayfly larvae, use medium leeches in mud of 14 – 18’. Shallow bite on small chubs, large fats and large leeches. The 3 ½” Swimbaits also good choice.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Spawn all finished, finding scattered Crappies in 8 – 12’ weeds taking small Mimic Minnow Spins, Charlie Bees and Road Runners. Once temps level off, these fish will be easier to target.

With forecast of temps to crack 90 degrees this weekend, watch water temps climb and Gills and LMB start to bed. Until mayflies hatch, deep mud food source will keep a good portion of Walleye population deep.

Look for top-water action for Largemouth, Smallmouth, Muskie and Bluegills to EXPLODE!

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 6-13-17:

Heat, wind, rain and rising water, bout all some lakes can handle! Despite all the weather, some good reports from anglers out on the water between weather.

Bluegill: Very Good – Warming water (reports into the low 70’s some afternoons) has Gills very active. On calm afternoons/evenings poppers on fly rods or used behind clear bobbers lots of fun. While still available, Thunderbugs can’t be beat. Also wet flys, ants, small leeches, leafworms and waxworms. Some bedding reports on small lakes, going to be a lot more as week goes on.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – Anglers working “jerk” style baits, either hard or soft plastic, working well. #10 X-Raps, Husky Jerks as well as Slug-go style baits scoring lots of good action on nice post spawn fish.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – More signs of bedding fish. Top water has been fun using Skitter Pops, Jitterbugs, Lunker Hunt Pocket Frogs, Whopper Ploppers and even the smallest Savage Suicide ducks! Evening best for top water. Swimbaits in the 3 – 3 ½” size of Kietech, Matzou Rainbu Swim Shads and Storms 360 GT have been hot. Wacky Worming Creature and K.D. Custom Brush Jigs with Jack All Cover Craws also effective. Live baiters scoring best on large leeches.

Walleye: Good – Have to keep an eye on the water. Some lakes have had hexagemia hatches already. The hex hatch takes one item off the menu, making targeting Walleyes a bit easier. On these small to mid-sized lakes (1,000 acres and less) and Flowages, Walleyes will relate to forage such as young perch, minnows, crayfish and leeches. Focus on weeds and wood that this prey utilizes. Redtailed chubs, crawlers and leeches on weedless jigs. Casting Shallow shad Raps in Perch, Firetiger and Hot Steel working on the dark waters of the Flowages. The Scatter Rap Husky Jerk Deeps also working well at, and after dark in natural colors on clearer lakes.

Northern Pike: Good – Spinnerbaits such as Boonies, Reed Runners and Booyah as well as lipless cranks such ass Rat-L-Traps, Rattlin Rats and Anashi Vibes. The 4 ½” swimbaits have also been very effective.

Crappie: Good – Fishing 8-12’ weeds using 1” Gulp Alive Minnows, 1” & 2” twister tails and Charlie Bees as well as Mini Mites tipped with a waxie or just a good ol’ bobber and small fat head.

Yellow Perch: Good – Best reports from flooded wood where thunderbugs, ½ crawlers are helping anglers lure nice catches out of the snags!

Musky: Fair – Despite a few reports of some nice fish of 44-47” being caught, overall some disappointing reports. Yet of the anglers doing well, bucktails have been by far the best – but the recent heat is getting some action on top water

Water temps have risen with the water levels. Clear lakes have darkened a little with Sunday’s rain (near 8” in some areas). Look for the Largemouth and Bluegill fishing to explode.

Smallmouth opens this Saturday — Remember to take your dad fishing this weekend.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 6-20-17:

Enough with the rain already! Between bouts of more rain and some colder weather the fishing has held up reasonably well. A bit of a drop off in action, but still good.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Wacky Worming best bet due to cooler weather. The top-water bite should return once weather warms. Shallow cranks and spinnerbaits good from late mornings on into the afternoons.

Bluegill: Good – Thunderbugs best bet while they last! Worms, small leeches. Popper bite quiet with rain, cooler weather. Small wet flys popular as are small jigs tipped with waxies.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Shallow cranks (Shallow Shad Raps) and jerk baits (X-Raps, Husky Jerks) as well as tubes. Live baiters reporting good action on large leeches.

Northern Pike: Good – Live bait (chubs/suckers) on weedless jigs or below floats. Spinnerbaits (Boonies), Chatterbaits and #3 or #4 Mepps. Shallow running cranks, just ticking week tops, also good.

Yellow Perch: Good – Wood still best location, some as deep as 14-16’. ½ crawler, thunderbug or medium leech under slip-float. Nice big perch (9-11”) with an occasional 12+ being caught.

Walleye: Good-Fair – More lakes reported Hexagenia hatches (Mayflys) shutting down some good bites. As these clear and waters warm watch for return to shallower water to feed on small perch. #6 Shad Raps good choice in 7-10’ cabbage. Big leeches, crawlers, redtails (tough to get again with rain) also good. Fish scattered, search to find.

Crappie: Fair – Scattered out over 8-14’ weeds. Small minnows best. A few reports of good catches of 10-11” Crappies using small beetle spins.

Musky: Fair – Just not a lot a good reports at our shop so far. Best on bucktails, look for top-water to improve with warming temps.

Despite wet conditions, some decent fishing. Water very high, changing fish locations, sometimes daily. Stable, warm weather would help.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 6-27-17:

Cold, wind, rain… oh wait, that was last week. Same menu, just add a large helping of bugs, mayflys to be precise, to add to our falling water temperatures and tough fishing.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Thankfully these fish are keeping rods bent. Wacky worming, 4” power worms and swim jigs best. On warmer days (afternoons) chatterbaits, Boonie Baits and shallow cranks working. Large leeches on a 1/16 oz jig irresistible. Need warmer water to bring back top-water bite.

Bluegill: Good – Thunderbugs, small leeches best. Tiny 1” tubes with a taste of waxie also good. Like largemouth, need warm water to bring back top-water popper/dry fly bite.

Northern Pike: Good – Live bait (chubs/suckers) on jigs, under floats best with cooler temps. 4-4 ½ “ swimbaits, #3;#4 Mepps Aglia and Comets. Cool water not as harsh on action, even in shallows of 4-6’.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Where fresh mayfly hatches, bite off. Pre and post hatches, shallows where weeds holding small perch best. Redtails, large fats and large leeches. Shallow Shad Raps and 3” swimbaits catching Eyes in 6-8’ weeds.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Scattered, but nice perch working shallow cabbage of 5-8’. ½ crawlers, medium fats/leeches best.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Live baiting best using leeches or crawlers. Wacky worming 3″- 4” worms as well as working jerk baits (X-Raps, Shadow Raps) best.

Crappie: Fair – Not a lot of reports due to cold, wind. Live bait in the form of small minnows best under these conditions. Casting 1/32 – 1/16 oz jigs with a 1-2” white or pink twister good search bait.

Musky: Fair – Been a poor start over all, but some fish being moved on bucktails and the new Savage Burbot.

Water temps dropped into the low 60’s (62-64 degrees). Seems we’ve seen a lot of cold weather around the 1st of July for the past few years. Weeds look good, warming temps should help improve all fishing.

Kurt
Island Sportshop
Minocqua, WI

Mark