Minocqua Area Report – 2019

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 7-30-19:

Summer patterns holding up well. Surface temps remaining consistent at 74-77 degree average. Highs and lows most days not affecting temps yet. Biggest effects are sunny days vs. cloudy.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Daytime working cabbage flats of 8-12’. Wacky worms hard to beat! Sweet Beavers Texas style and Yum Chunks on 3/16 Strike King Bitsy Bugs also scoring. For evening bites use #90 Whopper Ploppers, Zara Puppys and weedless spoons such as Silver Minnows, Jawbreakers tipped with 4” Twister tails.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – Best fish over gravel/rock humps topping at 16-22’ surrounded by 30-40’ of water. Ned rigging TRD worms and drop shotting JackALL Yammy Fish, (3”) Crosstail shads and 3” Gulp! Minnows, HOT! Jig craws/creature baits as well as live leeches and crawlers also effective.

Crappie: Very Good-Good – Look for 10-12’ narrow leaf cabbage and even the invasive curly leaf pond weed. Fish top two feet of weeds using small beetle spins, Crappie Thumpers or Boottail jigs. Big slabs of 13-14” being caught, but plenty of eaters of 10-12” also.

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – For fun in evenings poppers best on fly rods or behind clear casting floats. Daytime find the largest Gills outside weed edges of 12-14’ using small leeches, leaf worms on small 1/32 oz jigs or under slip-floats. Small plastics also working well.

Yellow Perch: Good – Best using ½ crawler or medium leech in 6-10’ cabbage. Some anglers finding large Perch on deep lakes over sandgrass flats using Lindy rigs with ½ crawler.

Northern Pike: Good – Swim baits (360 GT, Rhythm Waves) run on ¼ oz swimheads in 8-12’ of cabbage. Spinner baits and chatter baits still a go. Jigging or soaking chubs and suckers effective, but these live baits hard to get this year.

Musky: Good – For the health of the fish, best to fish early or late! Top-water baits such as Pace Makers, Whopper Ploppers, Top Raiders and Topper Stoppers best. Bucktails and large spinner baits also effective.

Walleye: Fair – Target Walleyes early AM or late evenings using full crawlers or the biggest leeches you can find. On larger lakes, deep, off-shore humps, of 14-18’ with weed edges. Smaller lakes work outside weeds of 8-12’.

Hopefully the stable weather (temp wise) will last a few more weeks before cooling August nights affect our fishing.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-06-19:

Fishing in early August remains similar to most of July, a slight slow down for a few species, but an up tick for others. A few fronts have made for some fish and dodge times on the water, but overall things good.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Can’t miss using Wacky Worms in 8-12’ cabbage. Top water action on Buzz Baits, Whopper Ploppers and Pocket Frogs. Early mornings slower than past weeks, mid-morning thru evenings best.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Seems like fewer numbers this week (could have been just me) but larger Bass in the 18-21” range. Ned rigs of TRD Worms and jig and craw combos best. Drop shotting 3” Wacky Worms or Pin Minnows.

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Best fish suspended along cabbage or coontail breaks on small leeches, small minnows, worms or thunderbugs. Mini Mites tipped with waxies working too.

Crappie: Very Good-Good – Not so much on #’s but big slabs in the 13-14” range taking Road Runner style jigs worked thru weed tops. Fan cast cabbage (Narrow leaf) in 10-12’ working 2-4’ down.

Musky: Good – Best evening or pre-front. Top-water, bucktails and big spinner baits. Water very warm (77-80 degrees) so be quick on your catch and release.

Yellow Perch: Good – Fish outside cabbage edges or sandgrass flats using ½ crawler on 1/8 oz jigs.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Reports down, probably due to heat. A 41”er was caught and released on chain recently. These fish respond better as water cools. Spinner baits, chatter baits best choice.

Walleye: Fair-Improving – Starting to see bites moving to weed edges where they had been absent. Besides typical jig/leech or jig/crawler combos, anglers also picking up fish casting #6-#7 shad raps along cabbage edges in 10-12’.

Water temps may have actually crept up this week. Start to watch for some weeds to die back in a couple weeks. Flowages filling back up – not normal for this time of year.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-13-19:

Mid-August can be the start of a challenge for anglers. Cool nights and the end of the growing season for some aquatic plants can cause a shift in location and feeding habits for some species. As of now, there hasn’t been a drastic change but a cooling trend is something to consider for the second half of August.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Not a lot new here. Wacky worming has got all other methods (even live bait) beat hands down. Jig and craw combos and pre-rigged plastic worms over weed tops in 6-10’ of cabbage also good choices.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good/Good – Drop-shotting and Ned rigging TRD worms over gravel humps of 18-26’. Some nice fish working coontail edges of 14-18’ using same methods.

Bluegill: Very Good/Good – Best Gills out over deeper cabbage or suspended outside coontail edges. Small leeches, minnows or tiny jigs tipped with waxies best.

Yellow Perch: Good – Best over sandgrass using Lindy rigs ½ crawlers.

Northern Pike: Good/Fair – Limited action but some nice fish in low 30” class on spinner baits.

Crappie: Good/Fair – Still working tall narrow leaf cabbage using small jigs tipped with minnows or 1-2” twister tails.

Musky: Good/Fair – Top-water and big bladed bucktails over deep weed edges. Evenings best.

Walleye: Fair – Transition on some lakes to deeper gravel not quite set up yet. Weed edges with leeches still best.

Water temps remain in mid-70’s.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-19-19:

Warm days, some cool nights, a few storms here and there… sort of a typical mid-August. Haven’t seen nights cold enough to turn a few sugar maples, but it will be here soon.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Lots of action relating to cabbage flats of 8-12’. Wacky worming, Dirty Jigs w/ Yum Chunk or Jackall Chunk Craws for trailers. Sweet Beavers Carolina rigged. Top-water action still very good for anglers fishing evenings when water temps rising! Lunker Hunt Frogs, Savage Cicadas and Whopper Ploppers bring in best reports.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Ned rigging TRD’s or TRD Craws been tough to beat. Drop-shotting 3” Gulp Minnows and 3” Clone Fry’s good over deeper gravel humps where Ned rigs may be too light. Coontail edges, 3” Tube jigs best.

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Not hard to fish once located. Larger Gills suspending off weed beds in 14-20’. Cast 1” twisters as you would for Crappies to locate schools. Once found, stick to small plastics or small minnows or leeches. Nicer Gill in the 7 ½ to 8 ½” + category, good eaters!

Northern Pike: Good – Covering weed flats of 6-10’ using spinner baits, swim baits and chatter baits producing good action from fish of 22-27”, a few cracking low 30” range reported.

Yellow Perch: Good – Best over sandgrass flats of 14-22’ using Lindy style rigs or slip-floats to work ½ crawlers. On Flowages, relating to weed, crawlers best.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Some action along deep coontail edges on medium fatheads.

Musky: Fair-Good – Big bladed spinner baits and bucktails over weed flats, fish in or right on edges (probably keying on Gills where Cisco not available)

Walleye: Fair-Good – On days with clouds and wind, some anglers finding Walleyes moving into 8-14’ weeds to feed. Crawlers and leeches best. Once sun is out, bite dies, start searching deeper rock humps.

Nothing drastic as of yet for August. Some weeds are dying back, but surface temps remain stable for now, most in low-mid 70’s as afternoons in upper 70’s to low 80’s warming up water after overnight cooling off.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-27-19:

The cool down of late August has started! Lake temps have fallen from mid-70’s to upper 60-70 degree marks. Weeds are starting to pale up noticeable as they die back, marking the end of their growing season. Fish patterns are changing as they usually do this time of year. Most everything is right on time with exception to water levels. Lakes are high and flowages are very high. This shouldn’t affect what we see on lakes, but Flowages could be off from the late summer/early fall norm.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Some good shallow action on surface lures (Whopper Ploppers) and twitch baits (X-Raps). Big fish in the 18-20” range. Other fish off deep gravel humps on Ned rigs and drop-shot rigs in 18-26’.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Where weeds have started to die back stay out. Healthy, green cabbage as well as deep coontail edges using tube jigs and wacky worms best.

Musky: Good – Top-water action up tight to shorelines and shallow weeds, wood, or rock good. Smitys Flap Tail, Whopper Ploppers, and Hawg Wobblers all good. Most reports are of action fish, mid 30’s.

Northern Pike: Good – Like the cool down. Tickle the tops of green cabbage beds with Boonie baits, BooYah baits, chatter baits and shallow jointed hard baits.

Bluegill: Good-Fair – Faltering weeds playing on Gills a bit. Where you can find them in deeper weeds, small leeches, minnows and tiny tube jigs.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Very scattered from most reports. Drowned wood using beavertails or medium fatheads best.

Crappie: Fair – Just starting into early fall patterns. Suspended near wood or off 14-18’ coontail edges. Vertical jig medium fats or fish under slip-floats.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Showing up on deeper gravel humps of 18-26’. 1/8 oz jigs with large fats, ½ crawlers. Jigging raps also effective for the most aggressive Eyes.

Live bait will be on many anglers’ minds for this fall. Leeches nearly all but done for the season. Wild chubs, red tails, blacks have been tough to get all year. With last years heavy snows in Minnesota killing off lots of the pond raised suckers and rivers so high that wild caught will also be in low supplies this fall. Fatheads and crawlers should be fine. Best to call ahead to your favorite bait shop to get an idea before you travel.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-03-19:

Summer vacation time is over, the next two months are for anglers! Water temps for Labor Day a bit low (63-65 degrees avg).

Certain weeds dying back, but where good green narrow leaf cabbage and brown broad leaf cabbage found, so are fish. A very nice weather weekend for the holidays. Lots of people on the water, reports were overall slow, a few bright spots here and there.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Most reports of smaller Pike action, especially around shallower weeds. Jig/minnow combinations meant for Walleyes and lighter spinner baits (1/8-1/4oz) producing.

Musky: Fair-Good – Continue to work inside weed edges with top-water baits. The more subtle lures such as Flap tails and Creepers seem to be more productive. Big bladed spinner baits and shallow running Swim & twitch baits also moving fish.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – When the Muskies roam the inside weeds….. go outside for Largemouth. Jig and trailer combos and fishing Sweet Beaver along outside edges and pockets.

Smallmouth Bass: Fair-Good – Didn’t get alot of feedback, but anglers working off stone gravel humps with drop-shot rigs scoring big fish. Oddly enough, some big fish being found very shallow on spinning baits and by anglers casting top water for Muskies.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Numbers not exceptionally high, but nice Crappies. Haven’t seemed to gather too tightly yet, very scattered. Medium fatheads around drowned wood is best.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – In Lakes without algae blooms and good green cabbage, good Perch catches in 5-8′. Medium fatheads on 1/16oz, jigs or 1/2 crawler or medium leeches working.

Bluegill: Fair-Good – Deeper weed edges and suspending away from coontail edges. Small jigs (Mini Mites etc) with waxies or small leaches.

Walleye: Fair – Depending on lake types, some deep gravel fish using 1.4oz jigs with minnows or 1/2 crawlers. Jigging Raps also productive. Also finding Walleyes, when conditions allow (cloud, wind) in shallow green cabbage working jig and leaches or minnows.

The end of summer algae blooms are effecting some lakes. Big Arb., Little Arb and Rainbow Flowage to name a few. High water on flowages seem to be affecting early fall “patterns”. Maybe just a lot of traffic on lakes, time will tell.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-10-19:

Early September has not been the best for anglers of certain species so far. Walleye and panfish anglers have had their struggles. Bass fishing has been just so-so, Musky and Pike anglers are reporting good action though, lucky to have so many options! When one doesn’t work out, switch tackle and chase something else.

Musky: Good – Still working inside weed edges and shallow flats. Most reports from fish in 4-8’ of water. Bucktails, spinner baits with large fluted or Colorado blades for lift and thump! Top-water still producing well, more subtle baits best. A few anglers already reporting action on suckers as surface temps ranging 60-64 degrees.

Northern Pike: Good – Like their larger cousins, Pike working the 4-8’ weeds taking bucktails and spinner baits well. Some nice mid-30” fish reported this week.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – LMB moved out to deeper weed edges once Musky moved in. Texas rigging plastics helped a local team take 2nd during a Bass tournament this past weekend. Other reports of anglers using jig and creature combos and Tokyo rigs to work deep weeds as well.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best presentation is to drop-shot deep gravel humps. Still getting reports of anglers scoring BIG Smallies on inside weed lines while Musky fishing, top-water and spinner baits, fish to 20+”!

Crappie: Fair – Usually very good right now. Anglers having hard time dialing in any concentrations of fish.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Mostly around deep wood on ½ crawlers.

Walleye: Fair – Reports of fish not very consistent and all over depending on lake type. Shallow (less than 22-24’ max depth) work shallow green cabbage with large fats, small chubs or leeches on 1/16 oz weedless jigs. Deeper lakes work depth of 18-30’ using full crawlers or medium chubs or suckers on Lindy style rigs.

Bluegill: Fair – Some big Gills (9-10”) being caught in local Flowages around deep wood of 14-18’ using crawlers or leeches meant for Walleye. Not a lot of other effort due to recent weather.

The uptick in Musky fishing has anglers looking forward to this fall’s season. High water seems to have disrupted some bites (at least that’s my excuse)!!!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-70-19:

Summer’s making another comeback this week, as warmer weather is making a push into the Northwoods. Water temps have creeped up a few degrees from low-60’s now to mid-60’s. This is stalling the fish’s mind a bit to get into their fall routine, but good fishing can be had to those willing to target certain species.

Musky: Good – We’re starting to get reports of Muskies coming in, not many huge fish, but a lot in the low to mid-30” range. Top-water action has been good, 190 Whopper Ploppers, Top Raiders and Topper Stoppers have been producing fish, as well as the old stand by buck-tails and spinner baits. Most reports are fish being caught fairly shallow from 4-8’ of water, shallow flats and inside weed edges are the best areas to search them out. A few more reports are showing up on small to medium sized suckers.

Northern Pike: Good – Pike are showing up in just about the same area as the Muskies are, shallow weedy areas. Bucktails and spinner baits are both producing well.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Deeper water has been the key the past few weeks for finding the Largemouth. Creature baits and Power Worms Texas rigged have been taking Bass, as well as using drop-shot techniques and a Wacky Worm.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Some real nice fish being caught this past week. Deep gravel humps have been the ticket. Use of the drop-shot has been landing fish. As well as Ned rigging a Crawz.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Anglers are starting to get into a few Crappies. I’ve been hearing a lot of you will pick up a few fish in one spot and have to try another, then another to get a meal. They just aren’t all schooled up yet.

Yellow Perch: Fair – If you can find deep wood, that seems to be the best bet to find Perch. Pinched crawlers and minnows are both producing.

Bluegill: Fair – Not a lot of people fishing for Gills right now, but those who are, are finding them in 14-18’ of water, worms and small leeches are producing fish.

Walleye: Fair – Not many consistent reports, and reports are coming in all different depending on the lake you’re fishing. Deeper lakes, fish deeper 18-30’, crawlers, chubs, fatheads, suckers have all taken a few fish. For the shallower lakes, look for green cabbage weeds, work these areas with the same style of live bait on a light weedless jig.

Cooler weather shouldn’t be far away, as well as the better fall bite. Water just has to cool off a bit.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-23-19:

A very warm week of weather, air temps touching 80 degrees, has lake and flowage surface temps in the upper 60’s to 70+ degrees on some lakes. It has changed patterns noticeably on some waters, throwing a monkey wrench into what has already been a very “off” early fall season.

Crappie: Good-Very Good – Starting to set – up nicely over deep wood in 14-18’. Yet on some waters, with rising water temps, those same Crappies became tough to find yet, showed up in only 3’ of water. Big slabs of 13-14” in water where you would usually only find them during spawn.

Northern Pike: Good – While a cool down will likely help pick this bite up, still good action on spinner baits, Mepps #3’s and chatter baits in 3-8’ cabbage. Nice fish reported into mid-30” range.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Best over deep gravel humps of 18-28’. Drop-shotting 3” Gulp minnows and small craw imitations scoring action, with some big 19-21” fish reported.

Musky: Good – Top-water still in vouge as subtle baits such as Flap-tails and creepers doing well on calm, overcast mornings. Big bladed spinner baits and buck tails also working. Sucker bite slowed, but should pick up late in week as waters cool a little.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Deep weed edges have been most consistent, using jig & creature combos or Texas rigging sweet beavers. Tube jigs also working, some vertical fishing tight to edges.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Warm weather has changed some things. Catching Walleye in shallows on overcast days on large fatheads or small chubs on 1/16 oz weedless jigs. On larger lakes warm up changed pattern from move into deeper water. Walleyes very scattered.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Mostly incidental catches while fishing for Crappies and Walleyes.

Bluegill: Few reports

Hopefully this warm up has been a blip and a steady cool down will be coming. Odd to see temps rise 6–8 degrees as we near last week of September. Warmer water will prolong the open water season, but many anglers and sportsmen have their plans mapped out, and as we’ve seen, Mother Nature isn’t always on the same page.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-30-19:

Feels like fall now! Following a week of warm weather and rising water temps, the past weeks weather has brought lake temperatures back down in a hurry. Lakes and Flowages that saw surface temps hit 70-71 degrees 10 days ago, now see most lakes sitting in the 60-63 degree range. With the exception of a hic-cup on Thursday afternoon (9/26) fishing has improved for several species as the water has cooled.

Crappie: Very Good – Not only has the bite gotten better, mostly with medium fatheads under slip-floats in 14-18’ over wood or along coontail edges, but some truly big fish. 13-14” have been reported by a lot of anglers, but a 15 ½” followed by a 16 ¼” monster were brought into the shop last week.

Musky: Good-Very Good – This next week to 10 days leading up to the turn-over on most lakes should be key for Musky action! Good time to continue with top-water and bladed baits. Higher riding, plastic and swim baits also hot. Suckers, especially on bladed quick-set rigs have been scoring well.

Walleye: Good – Definite up tick in action as waters cool. Vertical jigging 1/8 – 1/4 oz jigs tipped with large fatheads or ½ crawlers. Jigging Raps, Shiver Minnows and Hyper Glides over 22-38’ gravel/rock humps. On Flowages 1/16 – 1/8 oz Invasion or Jacks weedless jigs tipped with large fats or smaller chubs working in drowned wood and even shallow weeds on windward shorelines.

Northern Pike: Good – Most reports from anglers targeting Musky using smaller bucktails or twitch baits Mepps #5 spinners as well as 4” swim baits also effective.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Fewer reports anglers targeting = less reports. Best along base of gravel humps. Drop-shotting and vertical jigging.

Yellow Perch: Good – Best on Flowages around wood using ½ crawlers under floats.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Not many targeting. Most reports from deeper weed edges using Sweet Beavers on Carolina rigs or drop-shotting 3” Wacky Worms

Bluegill: Fair – Few reports

Seems the warm September has everything held back. Not a lot of color in trees unless you head north of here. Warm lake temps threw patterns off but now things starting to line up!

Big question will be “when is turn-over?” All the lakes won’t turn-over at same time due to surface area and depth differences, but watch surface temps. Once they get to the 53-55 degree range it could start. Lakes with current (Flowages) and depth (under 24’ Max, typically) won’t experience turn-over. This pre-turn-over time can bring on some “hot” fishing as fish seem to “feed up” prior to the shutdown stage when the “mix” is happening, so get ready!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-08-19:

It’s FALL NOW! Trees are popping with color, water temps are dropping and nice, big fish are being caught!

On many lakes of small to medium size (1,000 acres or less, depth not more than 30-35’) surface temps have fallen into the low 50’s, below turn-over stage. On larger lakes, while no reports as of this writing, with nights in the low to mid-30’s (and a weekend forecast for HIGHS in the 30’s with SNOW), every lake will probably be done turning by early next week.

Musky: Good-Very Good (but not as good as expected) – Reports of nice, heavy fish in mid-40” range and above (50” being tops at shop). A good mix of fish on lures (Deep Crank – 50”, Bucktail – 47 ½”, Suick – 42 ½”, Crane – 41”) and fish on suckers. Not the numbers expected (usually the best #’s weekend of the year), but nice fish overall.

Crappie: Good – When able to withstand wind, good numbers and size (fish to 14 ½” this past week). Medium fatheads, ½ crawlers or 1/16 oz Bunny Butt jigs under slip-floats in 14-18’. Watch for schools suspending 4-6’ off bottom.

Bluegill: Good-Very Good – Not your typical October target, but anglers targeting drowned wood in 13-16’ making nice catches of Gills 8-10”+ on ½ crawlers, small Crappie minnows.

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Mostly incidental catches of larger Pike (30-35”) while targeting Musky using twitch baits or suckers. Anglers working shallow weeds reporting #’s but small Pike on jig/minnow or Mepps #3.

Largemouth Bass: Good – A few anglers targeting largemouth reporting good action back up where green weeds are found. Swim baits of 3” as well as sucker minnows in 2 ½-3 ½” range.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Spotty reports best on waters further north this past week. Some very nice fish including 28 ¾” on 3/8 oz jig and chub. Vertical fishing jig/minnow combos and jigging Raps best.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Limited reports. Most on drop-shot rigs using 3” Gulp Alive minnows or similar minnow imitations over gravel humps of 22-32’.

As reported, this weekend looks a bit chilly, but should get us past the turn-over on almost all lakes. Patterns will stabilize, then its up to how weather conditions will affect angler participation.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-15-19:

Winter was last weekend (temps lows of 28 degrees…snow…wind…). Fall was the prior week. Does that mean spring is this coming week? Doubt it!!

The cold, snow, wind and lack of Musky suckers put a damper on what many consider one of the best weekends of the Musky season.

Musky: Good – Those that could procure some suckers had good success on quick-set rigs working 10-18’ weed edges. Smity and Suick jerk baits as well as Smuttly gliders scored well. Wind was big factor in boat control, lack of meat factored in participation.

Crappie: Good – Scattered, rarely found tight together, but nice slabs of 12-14+” using medium to large fatheads. Drowned wood in 14-18’. Watch locator closely for fish suspending sometimes 4-6’ off bottom.

Northern Pike: Good – Most caught while targeting other species. Twitch baits, jerk baits and 4-6” suckers or chubs best.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Deep gravel best working 1/4 – 3/8 oz jigs (sometimes larger with wind) using large fatheads, 3-4” suckers or chubs. Vertical fishing Shiver Minnows and Jigging Raps (#7 – #9) also scoring some aggressive hits.

Bluegill: Good – Big Gills in deep wood using half a crawler under slip-floats in 14-18’ water.

No Bass reports this week.

The sucker situation (Musky Sucker) is as bad as I’ve seen. Pond suckers raised in Minnesota wiped out by deep snow causing winter kill. Wild suckers are very hard to come by due to high water in streams and rivers. Catching suckers is hard and dangerous work, present high water only compounding problem. The are expensive, take good care when you get some. Take only what you think you’ll need so the next angler can have some also.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-22-19:

The fall of 2019 will be remembered as the Musky Season of NO SUCKERS! Last winter’s heavy snow wiped out the commercially raised suckers from Minnesota. Record high water has made seining wild suckers near impossible. Yet Muskies are still to be caught!

Musky: Good-Very Good – Where and when available, suckers scoring well (as are the rare Brook Trout, more on that at the end of this report). Yet as is usual, gliders, jerks and twitch baits, as well as, large rubber baits popping nice fish. Most fish coming from 12-20’ of water outside weed edges or over drowned wood. Plenty of high 30” to mid-40” fish reported with fish to 48” mid-week.

Crappie: Good-Very Good – Weather permitting (been windy most days) lots of big slabs in the 13-15” range coming in on medium-large fatheads under slip-floats in 14-18’. Jig and minnows also working, but on most days too windy to get good feel.

Walleye: Good – Deeper has been better as evidence of a 31” giant caught jigging large chubs in 32’ or water. Look to soft bottoms at the edge of gravel slides.

Northern Pike: Good – Best on live bait, big chubs etc. Deep edge of weeds in 12-16’.

Due to a scarcity of suckers, it was discovered that live Brook Trout, hatchery raised and proof of origin required, can be used as bait. First foray – 6 hours no takers, second outing, a fat 39 ½” er. Another angler reported a 37 & 41“, while local guide, Jake Smith boated a 32” Pike on one. Expensive, but beautiful bait. Very lively, a little tougher to rig, but so far, a decent alternative when the suckers fountain dries up.

Water temps averaging 46-49 degrees, don’t see them falling much this week. Participation on the lakes falling off as usual for this time of year, still some good Musky fishing to go.

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

Mark

Wow I’ve never heard of using hatchery brook trout as musky bait! Almost seems a shame that a minnow or rough fish couldn’t replace the sucker shortage

moustachesteve wrote:

Wow I’ve never heard of using hatchery brook trout as musky bait! Almost seems a shame that a minnow or rough fish couldn’t replace the sucker shortage

It is kind of interesting, but these bait shop guys are losing big dollars this time of the year when rivers are so high that its dangerous for humans to net wild suckers out of them. If it were I… I would go catch some bigger perch and hook them up as they are their preferred forage in those systems. Once reduced to your bag and from the same body of water they are legal to use as bait.

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-28-19:

While the open water fishing season is winding down, with other options pulling sportsmen away (duck, archery, grouse etc.), those still plying the ever-cooling waters of the Northwoods are still finding success.

Cold (A.M. launch temps to 25 degrees) and wind haven’t made it easy on the late October anglers. Colder water (43 – 46 degree average) has slowed the activeness of fish, but good catches still being made.

Musky: Good – Suckers (or Trout), if you can find them are still the way to start out. More reports of pick-up and drops as the takes seem less aggressive, more tentative. Happens every year??? Or are the fish getting “educated” as the season winds down? Strikes on gliders (Smity jerks) and jerk baits such as Suicks continue to hold up. Slow moving plastics and twitch baits. Even over depths of 15-20’+ with baits that only run 2-3’ down, picking up fish. Sucker supplies still an issue, hatchery raised Brook Trout proving to be effective, durable, somewhat attainable yet pricey. Call your bait dealers ahead to see if any suckers are on hand.

Walleye: Good – Biggest hindrance has been wind. Deep, transition areas of 22-32’ where gravel slides meet mud flats best. Chubs, suckers, large fats and even ½ crawlers on 1/4 – 3/8 oz jigs or Lindy rigs.

Crappie: Good – Best over deep wood or along coontail edges, 14-20’ suspending 2-6’ off bottom. Big Crappies will take medium fatheads suspended below slip-floats. Mark fish on locator, then get upwind, anchor up and float bait back to schools.

Northern Pike: Good – Few targeted, but being caught while fishing for other species. Most on twitch and jerks meant for Musky. Largest this week, 39”.

Bluegill: Good – Few targeting, but those that are finding fish deep, willing to take small Crappie minnows or ½ crawlers. Nice averages of 8-9” with a few 10” scattered within.

No Bass reports. Though a big 21” Smallie (C&R) caught while slip bobber fishing for Crappies this weekend.

With water temps in mid-40’s, night time temps in upper 20’s to low 30’s, chance of a little snow by weeks end, action and participation will likely slow even more. Yet good catches still to be had as reports of largest Smallies, Pike and Walleyes made to shop have all come in last 10 days. Keep an eye out for weather, but don’t put your rods away quite yet!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-04-19:

Ice left late and will be showing up early this year!

Continued cold weather from last week through this coming week has been pushing lake surface temps down. Skim ice showing up on ponds and around shallow lakes. Most reports have surface temps as low as 37 degrees to as high as 43 degrees on the largest, deepest of lakes.

Fishing reports good for the few that are still venturing out!

Musky: Good-Very Good – Guides Jake Smith and Jim Weston reported good fish with multi-fish days. Suckers and Trout on quick-sets still best, but some good fish in mid-40” range on Smity large jerks and other jerk/glide baits. Casting on some days confined to afternoons as reels icing up too much on colder mornings.

Walleye: Good-Very Good – Bite strong along gravel humps – transition zones in 25-42’. Chubs, suckers best.

Whitefish: Good-Very Good – Getting close to spawning temps, holding along deep breaks outside spawning areas. #5;#6 Swedish pimples tipped with a minnow head or some waxies

Forecast for coming week shows only one day “AT” 32 degrees, rest of week never breaking melt. Lows to low teens at night. Landings still open, but watch for those with shallow or channels that could freeze up soon. Bait not a problem now (figures) its how much longer lakes stay open that will dictate length of season.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-11-19:

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!!

We are so grateful for your service and sacrifice for our country.

Fishing Report

It’s ON! But not quite like Donkey Kong!

We have fishable ice (2½-3”+) on lots of area lakes, yet still open water on the larger lakes for the Musky anglers trying to get one last try at a monster.

Wind has been the biggest factor in keeping ice from forming (“yea” from the Musky anglers/ “boo” from the ice anglers). But enough calm has occurred to allow the single digit nights to lock up many of the smaller lakes and bays.

Musky: Good – A few hearty anglers took advantage of the warmest day in over a week to soak suckers and cast big jerk baits and gliders on Saturday when temps hit nearly 40 degrees. Cold returned and not as many on Sunday. Good, heavy fish in the upper 40’s being caught!

Walleye: Good – Only reports are from ice anglers fishing the safe ice of bays and flowages.

A light snow has covered ice. As always be cautious. Take along a spud bar, creepers, rope and a good friend (no brothers-in-law). Floating suits are a must or at least a life vest and throw cushion.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-18-19:

Well, its official, ice fishing looks like it’s here to stay for the rest of 2019. Most have put their open water gear away for the year, while others stare at it in the garage hoping spring comes early and not in July again.

Anglers were getting the itch and are out in full force this weekend on the ice with pretty good catches being reported. The number one question…how’s the ice thickness? Well first off, not all lakes are the same. Ice varies from lake to lake with open water in spots on some lakes, to up to 6 inches on others. Smaller, shallow lakes will have better ice than the larger, deep lakes. Anglers are getting out on bigger lakes in small bays isolated from the wind. Sunday brought us an inch or so of snow with a bit of drizzle mixed in. High temps this week look to be in the mid 30’s, this will make it a little sloppy on top of the ice. As always use caution with early ice, bring a spud and check the ice thickness frequently, bring a buddy along, rope, and ice picks. Ice can be good in one spot and thin only a few feet away, use the spud regularly to check the thickness!

Northern Pike: Good – These predators have been cruising the shallow weeds looking for food. Sucker minnows, chubs or shiners are all you need under a flag to get these toothy critters to bite.

Walleye: Good – Evening bite seems to be the best, followed by pre-dawn. Jigging and tip-ups are both producing fish. Jigging Raps, Slab Raps, Rippin Raps are all getting active fish to bite, as well as jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head for scent. Tip-ups are a great way to cover water and locate fish. Shiners, suckers and chubs are all working well. If you’re fishing the weeds, shiners and chubs seem to be working the best, where as if you’re targeting Walleye in rocky or gravel areas, suckers seem to be doing better. Also, if you’re fishing some of the clear lakes, a flourocarbon leader on a tip-up can really make a difference from getting a flag or not.

Crappie: Good – If you can find green weeds, 6-12 feet of water and safe ice, you should find some Crappie. Early mornings and evenings are best times. Small jigging spoons, Z-Vibers and #3 UL Rippin Raps have been putting fish on the ice, some good size fish too. With the warm weather, if you can scatter a couple tip-downs this can really increase your catch rate. A small treble with a fathead or rosie will do the trick. Stained water, a rosie red minnow can really make a big difference on catching Crappie.

Bluegill: Good – Gills have been showing up in the shallow weedy areas, 4-10 feet of water. Spikes or waxies are both producing tipped to a small tungsten or leadhead jig. If you want bigger fish try tipping a plastic, like a wedge or a nuggie, to your jig and add a spike for a little meat.

Perch: Good – A lot of fish, but a lot of smaller fish being reported. The few people I talked to targeting Perch said they had to do a lot of sorting. Larger baits will help you get the bigger fish. Use larger fatheads, plastics or a flutter spoon tipped with 2-3 waxies to help get the larger fish to hit.

Musky: ??? – Season is still open and there’s still time to get that pig. Some of the large, deep, clear lakes have partial open water, depending on wind direction and if you can get a boat in the launch or not. The other option is thru the ice with a tip-up and a Musky sucker. Just use your quickset rig and Musky bobber, the sucker won’t trip your flag then. And yes, we still do have Musky suckers left.

Gun deer season opens this Saturday. As of now we have tracking snow on the ground, 1-3 inches in most spots in the woods. A lot going on this time of year, with hunting and ice fishing coming early, so get out and enjoy it. First ice is some of the best ice fishing of the year, but can also be the most dangerous. Please use caution and be safe!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-25-19:

Last week’s rain only caused a little deterioration of the surface ice that had formed. For areas that were fishable, good safe ice remained. Weekend’s weather, though above freezing for a small time, was not enough to mess up ice, but not enough cold to build more ice.

Walleye: Very Good – Fish in as little as 5-7’ on shiners on tip-ups as well as Jigging Raps, Slender Spoons and Slab Raps. Early ice fish aggressive and starting on some lakes by mid-afternoon moving on ‘til & thru dark. Fish of several year classes (sizes) with plenty of “eaters” (15-19”) and lots of “slot” fish of 20+ being caught and released. 26 ¼” weekend’s best C&R!

Northern Pike: Good – Large shiners or chubs best bet under tip-ups in 4-8’ cabbage.

Whitefish: Good – (Boat angling only!) In 30-42’ using pimples or Northland Forage Minnow jigs.

Perch: Good – Most anglers finding good numbers in shallows on small minnows or Forage Minnow Fry (shaped like Bluegill) in 4-8’.

Musky: ??? – A few anglers working remaining open waters (Trout, Pres Isle) but no reports here from the sucker soakers.

Threat of snow this week could put a kibosh on our early ice season. With 5-7” of ice on the most well used areas, not sure how much weight our new ice can uphold. Reports vary from forecast of 4-24” of snow. Until it arrives, we have no idea. Following weeks cold could help, but not if too much snow.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 12-03-19:

Two, count’em, TWO snow storms in the last week of November (second started in November, ended in December) put a lot of heavy, wet snow on what ice had formed on the smaller lakes and bays so far! Ice is still there and fishable, but under inches of slush and snow making walking difficult.

Bluegills: Very Good – Anglers venturing out between, and after, storms doing very well in 5-7’ depths on Gills using light, lead jigs (slower drop) tipped with waxies or Beaver Tail.

Perch: Good – Shallow Perch fishing producing nice “eaters” in 4-8’ on medium fatheads.

Walleye: Good – Fewer reports than last week, yet anglers venturing out finding good fishing in 5-8’ of water just before dark on tip-ups baited with shiners, suckers or chubs.

Northern Pike: Good – Few anglers, but a couple decent reports of Pike in shallow weeds on river shiners or large shiners below tip-ups.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Few reports, but some catches on small minnows on rocker jigs.

Pre-storm, where there was ice, we were hearing reports of 5-7 inches of ice. The weight of the recent snow is bad news for the earliest ice that has formed. Slush makes travel difficult. More than ever, with snow cover present, use caution – spud your way out and take along safety spikes, rope and wear your floating ice suit (or get one!)

If there is good news its that following the high, cold winds of the storms, Monday’s calm (12/2) allowed the open water to skim over. These areas of “New ice” should build some great thickness in the following week, without the hindrance of snow cover, to open new areas of fishing.

Don’t forget this weekend’s ICE EXTRAVAGANZA at Kurt’s. Three days of PRO-STAFFERS, Company Reps, Deals, Giveaways. Lots to check out!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 12-09-19:

Previous week’s snow put caution in the minds of ice anglers throughout the Northwoods. Where snow fell on existing ice (5-8” ice), ice still good, but sloppy with slush depths of 5-7”. New ice formed after the last storm, over deeper parts of lakes, had a solid 2 ½ – 3 ½” of firm ice.

Bluegills: Good – Most anglers concentrating on the old “reliable” bays where ice thickness runs 6-8” but had to deal with slush on tip. The 5-8’ depths with green cabbage was giving up some good action with enough larger (8 ½ – 9 ½”) Gills to make things interesting. #10 lead teardrops tipped with waxies worked fine.

Northern Pike: Good – Not many tip-up anglers ‘til the weekend. Largest shiners and suckers to be found worked best. 6-9’ green cabbage.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Crappie minnows on tip-downs, slow dropping gold rockers tipped with pink or chartreuse plastics best.

Perch: Good-Fair – Lots of smaller Perch, yet some “eaters” on gobs of waxies on forage spoons or #2 pimples in shallow flats

Walleye: Fair – Mostly due to lack of participation until Friday night, though several reports of larger fish (26, 27, 27 ½”) caught and released by tip-up anglers.

As of this report (12/9/19), its snowing with forecast of several inches of new snow possible. Hopefully this dryer, lighter snow will blow off lakes and allow the coming cold snap (negative teens at night) to dry up things and build good ice for this coming weekend.

Give us through Thursday to get fresh reports. Check out our sites on Friday for updates.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 12-13-19:

What do you want first? The Bad News or the Good News…or the Bad News or the Okay News?

Oh Really?

Well, here’s what you’re getting!

Bad News – There was snow early in the week (Boo!)

Good News – Midweek we had two nights of minus teens to really help dry things and build ice (Yeah!)

Bad News – Thursday…more snow! (BOOO!)

Reports of anglers and ice checkers coming back with 4-10” of solid ice but, some water (avg 1”) below 3-5” of snowy slush in some places. The last snow was powdery and would blow off with a nice wind (Okay news !?)

Walking a sure thing. Some areas can be traveled with ATV or UTV with clearance. Be careful on untraveled areas.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 12-16-19:

Ice thickness, safety and mobility are the biggest concerns to anglers as of this time (12/16). Thickness varies greatly from lake to lake and even on different parts of each lake.

We have reports of as little as two inches coming in this morning, as well as 10 inches on others. Small lakes that froze early have it the worse. Not enough ice (6” avg) to support the weight of that first heavy snow. Larger lakes and off shore basins that remained open during first two snowfalls before locking up have stronger (yet not always thicker) ice. Areas of higher traffic are mixed with some areas of more slush, yet also areas of less slush due to snow being trampled and freezing up.

Crappies: Good – Most focus on this species, though action up and down. Slow dropping plastics best on areas that aren’t too hard to move around. Some tip-down bites on small minnows.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Action a bit slower than previous week. Large shiners best.

Bluegills: Good-Fair – Again, not up to par with previous weeks fishing. Most anglers reporting “action” fish with fewer keepers. Live bait doing best with waxies, mousees over plastics and a very inactive jigging sequence.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Just prior to dark on 3-4” sucker minnows best. Mostly tip-up bite, Eyes somewhat inactive, could be moon (full) period.

Perch: Fair – Still a shallow water bite. Small Bluegill shaped jigs tipped with waxies or crappie minnows best.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Some Bass on jig poles set-up for Gills, some on medium shiners on tip-ups.

The forecast of a couple more nights of below zero combined with no more snow for the next 10 days bodes well for making ice safer and less troublesome for traffic.

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

Mark

As the year winds down I’d like to thank Mark for sharing this report with us. It’s great info and Kirk’s is a well run shop. Thanks Mark

bigpike:

Thanks for the thanks!!!

It is amazing, I just went back, through the reports since the Minocqua Area Forum was opened looking to see when Kurt started posting them… Can’t believe it was March of 2013!!! Its bad enough I’ve been on here since 2002!!! So in late March, I’ve been posting his reports, which are some of the best I’ve read almost anywhere in various fishing forums. He does do a GREAT job promoting fishing in our area. Paul Delaney was again up here for his ice fishing show!!!

I’ve been working on the Wisconsin interscholstic Fishing Association Board of Directors, had our State Ice Fishing Championships here in Minocqua two years ago, had it last year in LaX on Pools 7, 8 and 9, will have it this year in Eagle River, WI and he’s been helping promote its growth too!!!

All good stuff!!!

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 12-23-19:

The latter part of last week did us no favors for ice making. Reports are pretty much stagnant as night time lows in the mid-20’s only firmed up the top crust while day time highs in the 30’s softened them up again.

Due to these conditions, recommendations are for anglers to walk for the most part. Lakes have frozen unevenly, with reports of as much as 12” and as little as 3”, sometimes on the same lake.

Northern Pike: Very Good – Good action and size (a 37” & 38” reported over weekend). Big baits along outside weed edges and above weeds in 6-12’ of water.

Bluegills: Very Good – Action and size (8+”) in 6-9’ of cabbage. Moussees and waxies best on tear-drop jigs. Plastics in red, purple, motor oil and black producing best.

Crappies: Very Good – Slow dropping plastics on rocker jigs producing nice catches of 10-12” Crappies in 8-12’ green cabbage. Light colored plastics of white, chartreus and pink. Rockers of white, chartreus or gold.

Walleye: Good-Very Good – Just before and after dusk, then again around 10 PM. A few, crack of dawn anglers, also reporting good success. Suckers on tip-ups best. Jigging raps, slab-raps and rippin raps as well as slender spoons and Flash Champ spoons tipped with a minnow head have produced some big Walleyes of late.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – This species tends to get active during these “mild” spells. Jig spoons or jigging Shad Raps in 7-12’ of cabbage. Tip-ups with medium shiners also work very well.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Shallow weeds of 5-8’ using small minnows or minnow shaped jigs tipped with waxies.

Whitefish: Good – A very few anglers walking out to the better whitefish spots finding fish in 40-60’ using Hali jigs or Flash Champs tipped with waxies or heads of small minnows.

The light snow has blown off most lakes, which is a good thing as it allows the cold to firm up slushy areas.

While snowmobile trails are open, they have NOT opened on lakes, and travel on any lake should be done with extreme caution.

Forecast for lows over coming weekend in teens should help ice condition as should traffic this week to tread insulating snow down.

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

Mark