Minocqua Area Report – 2020

Well, Let’s get a new year started!!! Good Luck and Be Safe to all anglers!!!

Ice safety needs to be one’s 1st Priority!!! Wheelers, ATV’s and UTV’s are going through the ice up here. NO ICE IS SAFE UNLESS CHECKED BY YOU WALKING OR OTHERWISE!!! As mentioned mentioned by Kurt below ice is good in most cases, BUT THE QUALITY OF THE ICE IS UNKNOWN BEING COVERED BY THE SNOW AGAIN!!! UNLESS YOU HAVE SPUDDED IT, FISHED IT, IT’S A COMMUNITY SPOT, IT’S NOT SAFE FOR YOU UNTIL CHECKED BY YOU!!!

Below is what is being done in our area by a guy that specializes in these types of recoveries:

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=bull%20dog%20off%20road%20recovery%20service&epa=SEARCH_BOX

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Bulldoogoffroadrecoverysevice/videos/?ref=page_internal

Again, Let’s get a new year started!!! Good Luck and Be Safe to all anglers!!!

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 1-02-20:

Lakeland area fishing has been good of late, the traveling? Eh, not so good.

Rain on Sunday helped knock down the snow and slush that had been on the lakes, if only it had stayed rain till the cold came back. As the rain turned to snow, first heavy and wet, then lighter yet still insulating, what could have been great conditions just got somewhat difficult again. Mild temps (high teens to low 30’s) through the weekend won’t be the challenge. Figuring out the wheres and hows to access the ice will be. Actually, ice thickness is good at 6-12+” on most lakes, it’s the new slush that could be a hindrance.

Walleye: Very Good – Probably due to the cloudy conditions, good reports of nice fish coming in during the day time. Most reports from tip-up anglers finding Walleyes taking medium shiners up on weedy fingers of cabbage covered flats midday. Evening bites (get started early, by 3:30 – 4:00) on tip ups baited with suckers on\or jigging Rattlin Raps along 9-12′ weed edges. Lots of good reports along with some very nice walleyes of 24-29″ being caught and released (thank you anglers over the weekend).

Northern Pike: Very Good – Best on big lively shiners or suckers under tip-ups. The biggest pike being caught along outside weed edges of 8-14′. Also, anglers hanging big shiners “high” above cabbage tops reporting good results. Fish to 38″ reported again this week with plenty of 25-30″ fish being caught.

Crappies: Good-Very Good – Can be off at times in the bays, but the fish are there, just need to be ready when they go on the feed! Slow dropping bright rockers with plastics are tops! Some crappie minnow action on tip-downs. Towards mid-day anglers setting up along transition areas of mud to hard bottom are catching fish coming out of deep water using minnows or glow jigs tipped with waxies.

Bluegills: Good – Most action in weeds of 7-12′ using small dark jigs tipped with moussee’s or waxies. A sliver of beaver tail bait worked on a #10 black rocker scored a nice catch for one angler working the jig 1′ off the bottom in 9-10′ of cabbage.

Largemouth Bass: Good – While few anglers target Largemouths, action on warmer days (typically above 20 degrees), good on tip-ups baited with medium shiners.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Fair only because while the action has been good, it’s been a lot of smaller perch. With some patience some eaters being caught. Tear drop jigs baited with a load of waxies working well.

While the ice conditions themselves are probably better here in the Northwoods area than farther south (little to no ice), or to the north (too much snow) caution is still advised. With the snow cover of the last 24 hrs. slush and areas of thinner ice will be difficult to detect. While ice thickness in some areas safe enough for snowmobile and or A.T.V. travel, best advice is to walk and check before going out. Take your spud bar and wear your tall boots! And HAPPY NEW 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 1-07-20:

Accidents and tragedy put a pall over ice fishing and outdoor activities this past week as reports of two ATV’s and three snowmobiles broke through the ice. Two of the snowmobilers did not survive which had effects from where it happened (Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk) to up here and to the families and hometowns of those who passed.

To clarify, the snowmobiles broke through over a channel of current, not the main lake itself. One of the ATV’s hit a current pocket that created thin ice in that particular spot. Still, caution is advised anywhere you go. Walking and pre-drilling or chipping with a spud bar by all means before traveling with a motorized vehicle on the ice.

Northern Pike: Good – Less action than previous week. Still nice Pike to 36” reported. As usual, big shiners and suckers best for larger fish.

Bluegills: Good – Very early mornings in and around 8-10’ cabbage for the biggest Gills (measured an 11 ¼” at shop Saturday), tungsten jigs in green, black, purple and red tipped with waxies, mousees or piece of beaver tail.

Crappies: Good – Bites come in windows, sometimes for an hour or less. Late afternoons still best. In and around tall, narrow leaf cabbage in 8-12’ use a gold or white #8 rocker tipped with a yellow, white or pink plastic or piece of beaver tail.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Bite from previous week slowed. Varied reports with most anglers finding better bites late (9-10 pm). As bite less aggressive, better on live bait (suckers) than artificials.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Not getting much for deeper reports as mid-lakes still off limits to most anglers. Those finding Perch over mud flats doing well with wigglers on Clam bomb style jigs or Halis in 15-18’.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Tip-ups with medium shiners in cabbage of 6-10’ best.

Ice fishing is taking place, and safely, in many areas. The access (or lack of) due to inconsistent ice or slush has been the biggest draw back. Areas of current (flowages, inlets, etc.) should be avoided or used with caution. Areas near marshy shorelines should also be used with caution, as these areas hold heat and don’t freeze as well as more solid bottomed areas.

All said, we want to encourage anglers to use the ice, but with caution. There is plenty of fishable ice, but due to the strange way it has frozen, its not the same everywhere.

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 1-14-20:

The Lakeland area was spared the snow storm that hit the southern part of the state this past Saturday! Held off by a very high-pressure system that also seemed to put the bite at bay.

Those high barometer readings Fri/Sat took their toll as anglers reported a near shut down of action. By Monday (1/13) things appeared to pick back up as clouds moved in and barometric pressure started falling. Two nights of light snow have put a new cover on the lakes that have been getting firmer thanks to last week’s cold.

Northern Pike: Poor-Good – Once conditions improved by late Sunday afternoon, Pike action picked up through Monday. Typical tip-ups with big shiners or suckers in 8-13’ of water.

Crappies: Poor-Good – Following the weekend of tough fishing, this species popped back into action taking Fairy jigs, Little Cecils and Rembrandts on the drop tipped with waxies or Beaver Tail. Minnows on tip-downs were also effective as Crappies seemed to finally find an appetite.

Yellow Perch: Poor-Good – Following suit, Perch action improved, anglers using Z-vibes and K-Raps and Northland Forage Minnows in the small panfish shapes, tipped with waxies doing well on numbers of 9-11” Perch over mud or sparse weeds in 10-15’.

Bluegills: Poor-Good – As bite improved, Gills actively taking Flirty Girtys, Clam Dingle Drops and Fiska Tungsten to deliver dark plastics, mousses or spikes to Gills holding 1-2’ off bottom in 8-14’.

Walleye: Poor-Good – Bite went from zero to hero by Sunday night, (though most of us were chewing on our fingernails at home while watching the Packers!) Suckers along outside weed edges 1 hour before dusk. Jigging Slab Raps and Rippin Raps also picking up Walleyes Monday night as bite improved.

Never a fan of full moon daytime fishing, but this past weekend was very tough. Hopefully, as this week progresses and small fronts seem to move through, the bite will improve and stay better.

Ice thickness and firmness seemed to improve, the cold and wind last week let things dry out and slush conditions have improved. 12-15” of “assorted” ice (6-7” grey, 1-2” water, 6-7” solid) but holding ATV’s and snowmobiles up well. Even some areas of Rainbow improving thanks to cold.

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 1-21-20:

Wind, cold and snow kept fishing pressure down this past week. With those who did venture out, fair catches were reported. Downsizing and finesse fishing were the key for getting fish on the ice. There is good news though, with temperatures rising to the 30’s and overcast, this coming week should make for improved and comfortable fishing conditions.

Northern Pike: Fair – Nothing new here, tip-ups with big suckers, golden shiners or river shiners will do the trick. Just pick your flavor of choice for the toothy critters, 8-14’ of water seems to be the preferred depths.

Walleye: Fair – The last hour before dusk and there on after seems to be producing fish more than morning times. Get out on a deeper weed edge and scatter some tip-ups with suckers or shiners. Jig fishermen were picking up fish using jigging spoons like pimples, flyer spoons, or slender spoons tipped with a minnow head, as well as, Slab Raps, Jigging Rapalas and Rippin Raps. No overcast the past days made for tougher fishing, but look for it to improve as the weather changes.

Crappies: Fair – Those who set-up in a shack last week caught some decent Crappies. Fishing would have been better if one could set tip-downs out, but Mother Nature wouldn’t let it happen. This week’s weather will allow it so make sure you bring them. Small #14, #16 trebles tipped with rosies or small fatheads for the set-up. As for jigging, Little Cecils, Flash Champs, and Leech Flutter Spoons produced well tipped with a minnow head or 2-3 waxies. Small single hook jigs like Tubby Jigs or Pug Bugs tipped with a small plastic like a wedge and also Beavertail caught fish as well.

Yellow Perch: Fair As the ice improves, anglers are venturing out more finding Perch over mud flats. Mobility is the key to keeping up with the schools of Perch. Fish have also been showing up if you can find deep sparse weeds in that 10-15’ range. Wigglers, waxies, spikes have been all taking fish, but larger fatheads and rosies have been catching the larger Perch. If you don’t want to mess with live bait, K-Rips have also been taking some decent fish of late.

Bluegills: Fair – Gills continue to be caught in that 8-14’ range. Small tungsten jigs, Flirty Girtys and moon jigs tipped with mousees or spikes are all producing. Plastics and beavertails are helping in catching the larger fish though.

Ice conditions are staying stable. We did have 5-8” of snow on Saturday, the good news is we had a lot of wind to help blow some of it off the larger lakes. ATV’s and snowmobiles are going out on some lakes. Just use caution, I did hear of some slushy spots popping up on smaller lakes. As of now, no vehicle traffic on lakes 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 1-21-20:

Two and a half days of continuous, light, warm snow (yes, it was), have added a new layer of messy slush to our lakes, making travel not so fun!

With some lakes experiencing 4-8”+ of water to the ice surface, slush is causing issues for snowmobiles, ATV’s and UTV’s. Looks like any hope of enough good ice for truck travel will be out of the question this year.

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Nice fish up to 34”+ caught over the weekend as Pike action picked up. Big shiners or suckers as the usual, anglers say lots of “full bellies” on the Pike they caught proving that the “feed” was on!

Walleye: Good-Very Good – Not everywhere and/or all the time, but when the window opened up, good reports of anglers icing lots of Walleyes to 28” using suckers on tip-ups on the top of ledges. Bites lasting only 45 minutes to an hour, by most accounts from 4:30 pm-5:30pm had flags flying. One group reporting fish in as little as 7’ using Slender Spoons and minnow heads.

Crappies: Good-Very Good – Like the Walleye bite, very time and location oriented. Tip-downs with minnow best as warm temps seemed to “heat up” bite. Rockers tipped with Beaver Tail or white or silver plastics working. Some areas in 8-12’ tall weeds while others (even on the same lakes) were found over mud in 18-22’.

Bluegills: Good-Very Good – Some reports of anglers limiting in 1 ½ – 2 hours. Small dark tungsten jigs tipped with red plastics, spikes or pink Beaver tail. Other times, bite slower, drop in size to entice bites.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Lots of little “dinks” being caught around weeds and mud flats of 12-15’. Better fish over deeper mud of 16-22’ on Halis, Flasch Champs and Pimples tipped with wigglers.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Oddly quiet considering warm temps. Medium shiners on tip-ups in 8-12’ weeds meant for Walleyes or Pike best.

With the coming week seeing temps in the upper 20’s to mid 30’s, don’t see any relief from slush. We need very warm (mid 40’s+) or very cold (-20 or below) and neither is on the horizon. Be prepared to have to walk to most areas, though lighter snowmobiles and tracked ATV’s/UTV’s still getting around. It was definitely worse in February last year, but not nearly as nice as conditions just last week.

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 2-3-20:

Warm weather (for the end of January) made for comfortable conditions temperature wise, but more slush and added frustration for anglers, mobility wise…

With truck travel, and now ATV travel, out of the equation this past weekend (and snowmobile/tracked vehicle use limited), walking was the best way to get around. Tall boots were required as slush was deep in areas.

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Good reports from anglers using the standard tip-ups baited with large shiners or suckers. Did not get reports of any larger Pike, but plenty in 23-28” range.

Walleye: Good – Best from 4 pm thru 6 pm. Get set up prior to prime time with suckers along weed edges, depths varying from 6-14’ depending on lake. Short windows of action, so jigging Slab Raps, Chubby Darters and Z-Vibes working as fish move in.

Bluegills: Good – Reports of Gills riding “high” under the ice, most likely due to warm temps, had anglers catching in 5-6’ of water over the weekend. Lead jigs such as Moon Glos, Shad Darts, Snickers, small Marmooskas tipped with waxies, spikes, mousses or red plastics worked well as once anglers found fish, the bite was good!

Crappies: Fair-Good – Access and the ability to move around once on the ice were the biggest factors to the bite. Once located, a fairly good bite on minnows with tip-downs, Lethal Cecils tipped with waxies and Shrimpos, Rembrandts and light plastics working well.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Access to deep mud flats due to slush biggest hindrance. Those who were out found success using wigglers on Kastmasters, Pimples, Inferno spoons and Flash Champs over mud in 18-24’.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Incidental catches on jigs meant for other species or tip-ups baited with medium shiners.

The warm spell made things messy for sure, but it did knock down the snow depth. Starting Tuesday (2/4), lows in the single digits to below zero with no highs forecasted the coming week above freezing, hopefully we should see better travel come this weekend!

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 2-10-20:

Clear skies brought cold nights this past week, freezing up hard the mess from the previous weekend. Travel good for snowmobiles and all ATV and UTV travel. Despite ice thickness to 18”+ in some areas, quality of ice (not all solid, 40-50% or more grey ice) keeps us from recommending any truck or car travel

Bluegills: Good-Fair – Slowed as the week progressed. Could have been the pressure of new ice being formed, or higher barometric readings. Whatever the case, early week bite good using VMC Tungsten fly Jigs tipped with mousses or waxies. Some Gills in as shallow as 4-5’, but most anglers working 7-12’ depths.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Best on big shiners or suckers. Action slowed as week progressed.

Crappies: Good-Fair – While mid-winter is deep water time for this species, some anglers finding Crappies in shallower weeds of 7-12’. Glow jigs tipped with waxies or rosies over mud in 17-24’. For weed fish, plastics in yellow, pink, white and chartreuse on #8 rockers.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – The cold snap has actually opened up areas to fish Perch that had been tough to reach previously. Mud Flats of 18-30’ using Hali rigs, pimples, Perch Talkers to get wigglers down quickly. Red spikes a good second choice for bait as Perch feeding on mayfly larvae as well as midge larvae.

Walleye: Fair – Action relegated to evening bite mostly, well after dark on our full moon weekend. Suckers top choice for tip-up bait. A few anglers caught fish while jigging slender spoons tipped with minnow head.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – A few reports of mid-teen Bass on medium shiners.

With only three weeks remaining to the inland lake’s gamefish season, time to catch Walleye and Pike through the ice is coming quickly to an end.

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 2-17-20:

Two weekends of the gamefish season left. If the results from the past few weeks are any indication, there should be plenty of Walleye and Pike left!

Actually, fishing seemed to improve as we got into the weekend, until Saturday evening when conditions changed and the bite shut down through Sunday.

Yellow Perch: Good-Poor (Sunday) – Deep bite using wigglers on fast dropping spoons to get down and pound the mud. Shallow weed bite very slow.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Deep, suspended fish (5-7’ off bottom) in 18-27’. Glow jigs (Venom Glo Demons, Glow spoons) tipped with waxies or tip-downs with rosies best

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Bite fell off on Sunday. Signs of low oxygen in shallow weedy lakes as shiners on tip-ups dying quickly. Bring shiners to weed tops or above for best results.

Bluegills: Fair – As with Pike, fish higher in water column as Gills seem to be suspending. Moussees, waxies best, don’t be afraid to try just under ice.

Walleye: Fair-Poor – Evenings and after dark using Walleye suckers in 12-15’ weed lines.

What started off good, slowed to a halt (could be the barometer, SSE wind or any number of excuses). Thanks to sub zero cold (-23 degrees Friday am) ice building, many reports of 20-22”, but slush still occurring in spots. Not enough to bother snowmobiles or tracked vehicles, but wheeled ATV’s should chain up and keep a sharp eye 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 2-24-20:

Warm temps (Yes! 40’s is warm up here this time of year) created some great weather to get out on the lakes. Past cold temps added ice thickness and firmed things up (at least until the warm up).

With more anglers and access comes more reports. Some areas anglers still struggled for catches, but those who got on, or stayed on, the ice during peak times were rewarded.

Crappies: Good-Very Good – Deeper bite picked up as anglers using tip-downs and rosies scored well over 18-28’ mud. Jigging using Z-vibes, Majic-Mans and K-rips tipped with waxies produced some big slabs to 14”. Anglers slow dropping in weeds of 10-12’ produced catches on Lethal Cecils tipped with waxies or #8 rockers tipped with white, yellow or pink plastics.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Mud flat bite using wigglers on Halis, Pimples or Clam Bombs. Ply the soft mud of 18-28’, Red spikes a decent second choice, but loving the mayfly larvae

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Smaller lakes slow, but bays off of larger lakes produced some big Pike to 38” this weekend. Go big (shiners, suckers) swing for the bleachers, it’s the final week!

Bluegills: Good – Best during early morning or late afternoon. Gills taking mousses, waxies and Beaver Tail on #3 & #4 tungsten jigs. Start low, 1’ off bottom, but watch locator as fish moving up off bottom at times.

Walleye: Good – Evening best, last hour prior to dark and first hour after. Suckers preferred by tip-up anglers. Warm temps helped improve action for jig anglers using Slab Raps, Jigging Raps and Chubby Darters. While off shore humps preferred, some good bites along weed edges of 10-12’ and even up in heavy weeds of 6-8’ from Walleyes probably feeding on little Perch.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Best on medium shiners or large fatheads on tip-ups or tip-downs.

This coming weekend is the last for the inland gamefish season in the Northwoods. Cold temps mid-week look to give way to nice warm temps for Sat/Sunday. While you’ll hear reports of trucks on the lakes (ice thickness avg 20-24”+) be reminded that this is NOT solid ice. The top 6-12” on many lakes is white ice, very porous. Still use caution when traveling. We can’t recommend truck travel, though UTV, ATV and snowmobile travel has been good.

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 3-02-20:

Time to pack up the tip-ups. Inland gamefish season has ended ‘til May 2nd. Great weather (in like a lamb) for the final weekend with some good Pike and Walleye reports to finish up with.

From here on ‘til ice out, it will be panfish and some whitefish. Ice conditions are some of the best we’ve seen all winter, with good-excellent travel conditions, 20-24” of ice on average and just a little soft slush from the mild temps of the afternoons making for a wet top.

Crappies: Very Good – Anglers finding Crappies in varied locations depending on lake or flowages. Bite in narrow leaf cabbage of 10-12’ on 1/32 oz Forage Minnow spoons, Lethal Cecils and rockers tipped with waxies or Beaver tail. Deeper water (17-28’) and Flowages anglers doing best on tip-downs with rosies or jigging with glow or gold colored jigs tipped with waxies or minnow heads.

Yellow Perch: Very Good – Most reports of anglers “pounding the mud” in 18-26’ using pimples, Flasch Champs and Leech Flutter spoons to carry wigglers down to the Perch. Also, surprisingly, anglers reported Perch in 8-11’ weeds taking K-Rips tipped with waxies.

Bluegills: Good – Small #3 tungsten jigs tipped with single spike or moussee effective worked close to bottom (within 1’) in 8-12’. On Flowages, big Gills found in 12-17’ suspending 3-4’ off bottom taking Clam Dingle Drops tipped with a waxie.

Without much snow cover the two feet of ice we have may not survive the entire month of March. Overnight temps below freezing will help firm things up for morning travel, but afternoons of mid 30’s to low 50’s forecasted will soften the top and erode accesses. Be careful! While ice thickness is very good, it could go bad quickly. Great time to be on the ice, enjoy!

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 3-10-20:

Nice, warm weather with plenty of ice to go around greeted anglers this past weekend. Unfortunately, so did some stiff wind! Following a very good weekend prior, fishing slowed during mid-week but picked up somewhat by the weekend. While Crappies are usually the favorite target in March, it was Perch that seemed to provide the most consistent action.

Yellow Perch: Poor-Good – After a slow mid-week, action over the mud picked up for those in 16-24’ using wigglers or red spikes on Kastmasters, Halis or Pimples. Tip-downs with rosies also popped some nice Perch.

Crappies: Poor-Good – Following a frustratingly terrible mid-week, anglers started finding active fish very early (dawn) and again just an hour or so before and after sundown. K-rips, #2 jigging Raps and #2 Pimples for anglers targeting deep water Crappies (17-28’). While anglers finding Crappies in weeds of 10-14’ used Lethal Cecils, #8 Rockers or Bullflys to present pink, white or silver plastics or waxies. Reports of nice slabs to 14”. Tip-downs doing well, but not hot yet, using rosie reds.

Bluegills: Poor-Good – Action improved by weekend with anglers scoring using waxies, mousses or beaver tail on Kenders, jig flys and #3 Fiskas. Wind made slow dropping tough so while plastics normally do well, the live bait out performed due to conditions.

The warm temps and wind have taken the snow cover off the lakes, holes are staying open, saw a few signs of water running down holes. Access is still good, 21-24” of ice on average. There has been truck travel but don’t advise. With cool temps overnights and a cool down on Fri/Sat we should see good, fishable ice for another 10 days to 2 weeks.

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 3-16-20:

After losing a couple of inches of ice to the warmth of the previous weekend, then to Thursday’s rain, colder temps have locked up the remaining ice well (16-20” on average). This gives ice anglers reason to keep those jig poles and tip-downs out for a couple more weeks.

Crappies: Good-Very Good – Deep basin Crappies on glow jigs/spoons (pimples, Kastmasters, Cavier drops) with waxies or minnow heads over 18-24’ mud flats. Tip-downs with rosie reds also producing well. On the local flowages, which have seen water levels drop 3 ½’ since the first of March, river channels are key. Jigs that glow and tip-downs with rosies also key. For anglers working cabbage beds in bays, #8:#10 rockers tipped with white, pink, yellow or chartreus plastic. On warm days, with melt, start under ice with presentation. Tip-downs with Crappie minnows also producing very well when bite is “ON”!

Yellow Perch: Good – Best #’s over mud flats of 18-28’ using Hali, Venom on Flasch Champs to get wigglers and red spikes over mud. Lake shiners producing larger fish over sandgrass on large, deep lakes. In weedy lakes, stick to small Bluegill imitation lures (Forage Minnows or K-Rips) tipped with waxies.

Bluegills: Good – Best on warmer days with melt. #3 tungsten Fiskas tipped with piece of Beaver Tail or mousee best. Dark colored plastics of red, black, purple, motor oil – though one angler reported a nice catch of “eaters” on green.

With forecasted highs for the next week running low 30’s to low 40’s providing nice ice fishing weather, yet overnights of low teens to low 20’s, safe ice fishing should extend for a couple more weeks. Great activity, outdoors and not overly crowded!

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

Mark

Sorry Gang, got a bit busy with the new postal job… Hoping to work more for the benefit part of it, but also wanting to keep some free time available for fun stuff like fishing, especially now the best time of the year!!!!!!

Fresh content coming today as well!!! Also got up to Chequamegon Bay 3 times in the last 3 weeks!!! Interesting being on ice being able to see open water in front of the Souix and Onion and the town of Bayfield!!! With that S wind pushing the ice in that direction yesterday, there wa a bit of the pucker factor being in that position. Ice in the Houghton Point area N of Wahsburn towards the mouth of the sloughs will have to be treated with extreme caution going forward with our warming trend this week and any STRONG S winds!!! Ice more inner from 2nd Landing towards Washburn should hold up for a bit, but this time of year with currents and rain in the forecast, BE CAREFUL!!!

I am hoping to try to get back up there for a bit more Social Distancing!!! Next week one of the coaches from our WIFA H. S. ice fishing association and we may try one more time in the Ashland area on foot.

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 3-23-20:

Late ice is upon us and some of the best pan fishing of the year is to be had. Fishing has really been picking up this past week with good catches being reported area wide. Time of day is the key, early morning and evening bites have been the most successful, while mid-day bites have been slow.

Crappies: Very Good – While Crappies aren’t showing up in the shallows yet to do their spring migration, anglers are having a lot of success as of late. 18-24’ mud flats seem to be the location where people are having the most success. This could change in the next few days though as warmer weather pushes in. Tip-downs with rosies or small fatheads have had anglers running around catching fish. Jigging has been very productive too, small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head or waxies will do the trick. Numerous reports of good size Crappies to 12-13” and even had one report of a 16½” fish.

Yellow Perch: Good – A few more Perch are showing up in peoples’ buckets, still fishing isn’t on fire yet for this species. Deep mud 18-28’ of water, red spikes, wigglers and minnows are all catching fish. K-Rips, Z-Vibe and small Jigging Raps are also catching the more aggressive fish.

Bluegills: Very Good – Unlike the Crappie, the Gills are in shallow. We’ve heard as shallow as 4 feet but try working the 4-8’ weeds. Tungsten jigs with dark colored plastics or a tungsten jig tipped with a waxie has been productive.

Warmer weather for the next week will start to deteriorate ice conditions slightly. As of now, ice is holding up well (about 14-20”) with little to no snow. Saturday morning temps dropped to low single digits and froze up all that rain we had earlier in the week that was sitting on top of the ice.

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 3-31-20:

Here it is the end of March, never thought the ice would last this long, but there are lots of other things going on in the world we wouldn’t have thought either.

This report is for those in the area, social distancing, but still looking to get out in the warming temps and enjoy the outdoors. There is still ice, with 12-15” still on the lakes, the panfish are still biting. We did hear of an UTV going through the ice on the Rainbow, with dropping water levels, Flowages not a safe choice. Starting Thursday, when highs are forecasted to be into the 50’s for 5 straight days, expect conditions to deteriorate quickly.

For those not in our area, it’s not that we don’t want you here, our area’s economics depend heavily on your visits to help keep our businesses afloat. We are here because you come here! But for now, due to our undersized health facilities, the health of our residents, as well as your own, we ask you to stay at home until a cure for the virus can be found.

I know for myself; I love being part of a profession that helps to share the outdoors with so many visitors each year. Our lakes, woods and streams will still be here to share with all of you when this passes. Let’s do all we can to ensure we can all get out and share this together when it does.

Please no harsh post or comments, they aren’t needed, they won’t change anyone’s minds. While we still are doing a curbside business for those wishing to do some, we are cutting hours and staff and doing all we can to safeguard our customers, staff and vendors.

I know that myself and those of my staff of faith are praying for an end to this disease. I hope you’re praying with us.

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 4-07-20:

Well, I’ve looked in all the usual places to try find a report from Kurt and since he’s closed to curbside non-essential business only, he’s not getting many reports that he’d be normally getting and probably has forgotten to post a report for this week. So here goes with a pair of answers I posted in another forum regarding the ice on Lake Minocqua:

Yes would be the for sure answer… Water was getting closer to the boat landing in Stack’s Bay last time I went by on 47. As for downtown, I haven’t been by Kurt’s since last Sat., so no idea on how the east and west basins are doing. Once we see the small pond go out by Kurt’s its usually 10 days for the west side to be ice free and another week for the east side.

Also having said that, with this cold snap it could be extended another week longer as well. Probably looking at a late month, very early May ice out.

Ice is very sketchy right now, a good friend of mine went through on 8″ further north on the TFF last weekend. I’ve seen others say there’s 8″ and its solid enough to fish on, if you’re going, take a friend and all the safety equipment necessary to get out, the TFF experience almost ended in disaster as it took him a long time for the ice to hold him and get back out!!!

Well as of last week, I was hoping for an early ice out… but that’s doesn’t seem to be in the cards. I moved from east Minocqua to south of Lake Tom. I wandered around a couple of days ago after a car appointment in town. On the way home I did wander east to the Rainbow and Pickeral, unfortunately didn’t take J, but eventually ended up out to the J landing and Pickeral. The river hasn’t eaten all the way down to the river going to Dog, nor has it gotten to the dam area that dumps into the Rainbow next to the J landing. There was a heavy fog on the upper end of the Rainbow, so I couldn’t see how the river was eating the at upper end.

Gilmore was open by the landing and by the dam out of the Rainbow, it was Low!!! Maybe as low as I’ve seen it in a long time, so they have the reservoir most likely as low as they feel they need to. I did wander up to Squaw Creek and it was open by D, but at the unimproved landing it was still iced in pretty solid.

And that was the extent of my drive that day. Been at home the rest of the time since. Hoping to get down to Mohawkskin in Tomahawk, but will wait until after the snow on Monday and a warmup. I have also been waiting for Sara Park to open as I feel the bigger parking lot there will aid in social distancing.

I’ve had the boat up to Superior twice and it’s ready for battle any time other than the opener, depending on perceived traffic and quarantine status.

Stay Safe!!! Its boat time!!!

Mark

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

Supported a local establishment on Solberg tonight with a delicious shrimp dinner. Ice is going but might not go for another couple weeks with the upcoming cold snap!

Attachments:

1. 

   Resized_20200410_162422.jpeg
   

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-05-20:

The 2020 Opener is in the books and while not a great opener, it could be deemed pretty darn good, all things considered. While the Covid issue kept some people away, and the closing of the Lac Du Flambeau Reservation landings sent anglers to other bodies of water, we didn’t have to face ice for the first time in three openers and the weather wasn’t too cold, though somewhat windy.

Walleye: Good-Very Good – Depending on lake type and time of day. Walleyes on small to mid-sized lakes (1,000 acres or less) and flowages were either completely done with the spawn or just finishing up. Jig and minnow combos ruled the daytime bites; while casting shallow running stick baits (Rattlin Rouges, Floating Rapalas and Jr. Thundersticks) was the best for nighttime anglers wading the shores. On the larger lakes, spawning just kicking in over the weekend, but will probably run its course quickly. Cast 4-6” chubs along gravel reefs of 6-12’; early mornings, evening and after dark best. Forecast for cold nights (upper 20’s) and highs of 40-50 degrees will stretch the post spawn bite out for a while. Great time to work emerging weeds with weedless jigs and large fats best.

Crappie: Good – The cold nights have kept the Crappies at bay (literally) until afternoons when they move into warming shallows to help with egg production. AM anglers finding Crappies in 8-12’ soaking small minnows or Mini-mites under slip-floats. In the afternoons, tail hook small minnows under float with not split shot to allow minnow to slowly struggle against hook in and around shallow wood. Some real trophy Crappies of 15-15¾“ were caught AND released using this method.

Northern Pike: Good – Not many anglers targeting, but Pike working weedy flats feeding on Perch recovering from spawn. Black chub on a weedless jig tied to a light wire leader best in morning. As surface temps increase in afternoon, cover more water with shallow stick bait or 4” swim bait.

Largemouth Bass: Good – anglers have been working shallow bays with dark bottoms that hold the heat from the afternoon sun. Jig and subtle trailer best, though 3-4” stick baits (X-Raps, Husky Jerks and Thunder sticks) producing also. 3” swim baits and smaller plastics (Wacky worms, Ned rigs) also producing.

Yellow Perch: Good – Not much being targeted, but nice Perch working shallow weed flats looking to fill their bellies after the spawn. Medium fats or medium leeches on a 1/32 – 1/16 oz jig has been working well.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Catch and Release only until June 20th, but nice Smallies hitting X-Raps over 10-14’ off breaks leading to what, in a couple weeks, will be spawning areas of gravel and rock in 2-4’.

Bluegill: Fair? – Not many reports as anglers have set their sights on larger game. Some reports of Gills warming themselves in shallow on sunny afternoons.

Water temps running upper 30’s-low 40’s (Trout Lake) to low-mid 50’s most other bodies.

With the Covid could still looming over us, it was good to see people getting outside and enjoying fishing and the outdoors in general. Please use precautions and good judgement to remain safe and healthy.

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

Mark

I have b een busy and Kurt hadn’t been posting inthe Covid, so here’s to catch up to the pre-opener:

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 4-30-20:

As of yesterday (4/29) all boat landings, campgrounds, parks, trails and tribal roads located within the exterior boundaries of the Lac Du Flambeau Indian Reservation are closed until further notice.

This means the Lac Du Flambeau Chain (Fence, Flambeau, etc.) and all other lake boat landings are closed to non-full-time residents. Signs are at the landings.

A stay at home curfew on the LDF Reservation has been in affect already (10 pm to 6 am).

Ice has been melting quickly due to heat, wind and rain. Big Arbor Vitae is now ice free. Docks are showing up on some of our favorite lakes, but not all yet.

Check out the DNR’s website for available launches and shoreline access.

Gov. Evers Safer at Home order recommends anglers continue to practice social distancing whether from boat, dock or shoreline. It is recommended only anglers living in the same household should fish within six feet of one another. (I think I read somewhere, Mother-in-Laws at 26’…maybe I’m wrong!)

I’m posting this as information to anglers heading out. Remember, Don’t Shoot the Messenger! (or chuck crankbaits at his head)

We will be open until 10 pm Thursday night, midnight on Friday and reopen at 4 am Saturday morning. Our store capacity is 8 persons per time in store including employees so please be patient.

All bait, except redtails, dace and wigglers in stock.

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 5-12-20:

Snow (not as much as south of us, but any snow in May is too much), cold, and most of all wind has made the week following the opener rather tough. Lake surface temps are lower now (40-48 degrees) than a week ago (44-55 degrees) thanks to below freezing nights. The shallows cool off every morning making late morning through dusk the best times to fish.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Spawn over, the good post spawn bite is starting, but not really ramped up yet due to the cold weather. Casting minnow style baits (floating Rapalas, Rattlin Rouges) over weed tops in the evening. Jigs and minnows best when worked slowly through cabbage beds. Walleyes scattered, but as water warms, actions should really pick up by this weekend.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Probably a better source of action than Walleyes. Live bait or swim baits worked slowly through 4-7’ cabbage. Looking, but not actively hitting spinner baits.

Crappie: Fair-Poor – The cold has held this species out away from the shallows, best to work 10-12’ outside woody shorelines. Live bait best this week as water temps falling. This action will shoot up this weekend as water temps rise and fish move in to warm themselves and prepare for the spawn.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Few targeted during cold spell. Twitch baits and working Ned rigs in old weed beds where water may be 2-3 degrees warmer than rest of lake best.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Poor – Few targeting with conditions. Try wigglers, small leeches or pieces of crawler in shallow, weedy flats.

Smallmouth Bass: Fair-Poor – Few reports. Best in 10-14’ on X-Raps off points or bars.

A nice warm up by the end of the week should really improve the action all around. Rising water temps, along with clouds and some rain will draw the Crappies into the shallows and entice the post spawn Walleyes to start feeding. Looks to be a good, if wet, weekend to fish!

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

Mark

Hey Mark,

Thanks for all of your posts and updates !

tweed

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-19-20:

The promised and forecasted warm up is coming at a crawl. Cool, clouds and lots of wind are raising water temps ever so slightly. What should have been “a Crappie weekend” was decent, but not fantastic, maybe this coming one?

Crappie: Very Good-Good – Been hard to get an overall fix on the bite. As always, different sized lakes warm at different rates. Reports of Crappies in 2’ of pencil reeds as well as staging in 5-8’ of cabbage and even been found in 14’ breaks. Minnows the best bet when Crappies are being reluctant. Small leeches stay on hooks better. With water temps slowly making their way into the upper 50’s by late week (we hope) tiny tubes, Mini-Mites and small twister tails will start working better.

Walleye: Good – Post spawn action in weeds of 6-10’. Jig and minnow/leech combos, as well as, shallow running stick baits (Jr. Thundersticks, Rattlin Rouges) and 1/8 oz jig and twister or snap jigging 3” swim baits.

Northern Pike: Good – Artificial bite a little slower at times. If you can’t get hit on spinner baits or #3 Mepps, switch to a weedless jig and chub to coax light biters. Use a light wire leader to prevent bite offs of jigs and a jaw spreader and pliers to prevent bite offs of fingers! (tip-o-the-week!)

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Staging outside spawning areas, Smallies hitting lipless cranks banged on rocks in 6-12’ of water. X-Raps suspended over same areas also effective as is Ned rigging along same spots. Some dandy fish of over 5#’s reported. Catch & Release only until June 20th!

Largemouth Bass: Good – Cruising shallows on warming days. Pitch 3” Wacky worms unweighted or twitch #5 or #7 Floating Rapalas. Large leeches on a light wire hook around any trees/brush in water.

Yellow Perch: Good – Shallow weeds of 4-8’. Thunderbugs, small leeches, minnows under small floats.

Bluegill: Fair-Good – Not being targeted with all the wind, but work extreme shallows of 1-5’ as Gills cruising looking for bugs and warmest water.

A good # of incidental reports of Musky cruising the shallows and being hooked by anglers targeting other species. With surface temps probably moving to upper 50’s, low 60’s watch for more of this.

Looks to be a good weekend, maybe some evening clouds/rain, but temps should be good and the Crappie spawn should stretch out on most of the large lakes to give anglers plenty of opportunity.

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

Mark

P.S. jime you’re welcome!!!

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 5-27-20:

Memorial weekend provided lots of great fishing opportunities for those that got outside to spend some time on the water. The early weekend this year coincided with an important warm up in water temperature, which got fishing interesting.

Musky: Very Good – The season opened up on Saturday with lots of action as anglers reported multiple fish days of 4, 5, 6, and even 7 Skie days! Small bucktails with the Rizzo Wizz (Now Wizard), #5 Mepps, 500 series Buchertails, 5 and 6” Cranes and small Smity jerks accounting for a lot of fish. Even small and medium sized suckers produced well. Reports of lots of 36-42” being boated with the largest C&R a 49” by a Walleye angler. Its rare that Musky takes top billing in our multi-species report in May, but this weekend was exceptional!

Crappie: Very Good – Timing is everything and the Memorial Weekend anglers hit it just right! Crappies moved in to pair up and bed and provided great action for anglers. Gapen Fresh Water Shrimp below tiny floats and small minnows on a small thin wire Aberdeen hook with no weight below the float scored lots of action. Small leeches also worked well when fishing snaggy areas as they stay on the hook better. Casting tiny tubes, Mini Mites and Pinkys for those who prefer to fish bobberless did their share of catching.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Cruising the warm shallows. LMB taking 3-4” Wacky worms, square bill cranks and spinner baits. Some top-water action reported on the warm afternoons. Lots of Bass taking baits meant for Crappies.

Northern Pike: Very Good – Swim baits, #3 Mepps, spinner baits, and chatter baits all producing. Jig and chub combos worked through 5-9’ cabbage a great start.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Still staging, but up next as water temps climb. Lipless cranks and suspending twitch baits best over 10-14’ staging areas, just off the spawning sites. Leeches on a 1/16 – 1/8 oz jig working well. Just remember, its catch and release only until June 20th.

Walleye: Good – Post spawn feeding going on. Target green cabbage using light jigs to offer leeches or dace. Casting stick baits over and through same areas at dusk very productive.

Bluegill: Good – Lots of Gills warming in shallows. Thunderbugs, small leeches and worms, but also small plastics effective on these active fish. Use small, but weighted bobber to make long cast into 2’ shallows.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Most reports from anglers picking up incidental catches while Walleye, Bluegill or Crappie fishing. Medium fatheads and leeches best.

Lots of anglers on the lakes this weekend, boat landings were over flowing and fish biting. Remember to practice selective harvest! It’s been a difficult past couple of months, but not the end of the world! Look towards the future and release fish to ensure good fishing for the next time up.

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 6-02-20:

Late May cold front put the brakes on the area fishing this past weekend. Temps into the low 30’s with frost warnings can do that. Fishing that was great for many anglers Wed/Thur took a turn by Sat/Sun. Good news is warm weather already coming back.

Bluegill: Very Good-Fair – Gills flocked into shallows, but pulled out with cold. Best on small leeches, worms, Mini-Mites and waxies. Gills moved back out to 4-6’ depth with chill, but expect to find them back in shallows by mid-week.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Fair – Bedding starting on some lakes. Where committed, males guarding nest hitting 3 & 4” Wacky Worms and Ned Rigs as well as muds and large – XL leeches. Others still at staging hitting lipless cranks and X-Raps.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Schools of Perch were being found in relatively shallow water (3-6’) taking thunderbugs, medium leeches and medium fatheads until cold broke up schools and pushed them out. Check shallows again as water warms.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Slowed with cold. Prior to, fish warming shallows using floating Rapalas, TRD Ticklers and 3” swim baits on light jig heads.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Bite best on live chubs or suckers as fish got neutral. Some action on 4” swim baits.

Walleye: Fair – Colder temps slowed weed bite. Leeches best in 8-12’ cabbage over weekend. Prior to, same fish in 3-5’ cabbage.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Spawn over. Anglers were finding some shallow males in places, but gone by weekend. Use minnows when bite tough. Back to swimming small jigs with tails as water warms.

Musky: Fair After such a great opening weekend, time for these fish to rest a little I guess. Not as much action, but still some high 30” to low 40” fish reported on wizards and small twitch baits.

Big, fast storm blew in mid-day (6/1) followed by warmer air. Surface temps that fell 10-12 degrees over weekend should start to get back into the low/mid 70’s from the low 60’s they fell to.

Smallmouth Bass will be going strong this weekend. Remember to let these fighters go – besides season doesn’t open until the 20th!

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 6-09-20:

Moving nicely into June, water temps rising, fish where they should be (for the most part) and despite being a little windy at times, great time to be on the water.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – Catch and Release only, but lots of very nice “Brownies” being caught shallow. Ned jigs with Finesse TDR’s, Crawz and Ticklerz slamming fish. Top water with Pop-R’s, Chug Bugs, Torpedo and the new Lunker Hunt Spider providing explosive action. Shy fish can always be tempted with a mud minnow or big leech.

Bluegill: Very Good – No signs of bedding on most lakes but fish are shallow and active. Small leeches stay on the hook the best, but worms and thunderbugs are hard to beat. Tiny tubes and Mini Mites under small floats and using flys or poppers in the evenings very effective on warm days.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Setting up shallow, warming for egg production. 4” Wacky worms, 3” swim baits and smaller, lighter jig/creature combos best. Tubes also working very well in 3-6’.

Musky: Good – Top water action good with noisy, tail spinning baits best. (Tally Wackers, Whopper Ploppers, Top Raiders). Glide baits, especially those with tails (Phantom soft tail, Smity Jerk) also effective. Medium buck tails and spinner baits also working well.

Walleye: Good – Leeches working very well, concentrate along outside weed edges of 12-16’ using 1/16 oz – 1/8 oz jig or slip-floats. On smaller, shallower lakes, popping or ripping jigs with a large fathead in 5-8’ cabbage. Flowage fish found deeper in 16-18’ mud taking crawlers.

Crappie: Good – Anglers searching for Crappies have found most in 8-12’ cabbage on small jigs, though some being found in large schools near shallow rocks.

Yellow Perch: Good – Thunderbugs, where still available, best choice over 6-8’ weeds. Small-Medium leeches also good choice. On Flowages, thread a thunderbug on a #8 or #6 Aberdeen hook 12” below a 3/0 split shot to work around drowned root systems.

Northern Pike: Good – Chasing well again, spinner baits and chatter baits. Soaking a large chub or sucker along 10-12’ weed edges and inside pockets also good.

A…Tropical Depression? Is heading our way, will halt fishing for a day, temps cooling down for Thursday/Friday will see a slow gradual warm up through weekend into early next week.

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 6-16-20:

Despite some cold temps over the weekend, fishing action has remained strong – though not in the early hours when air temps dropped into mid-upper 30’s and water temps fell into low 60’s. But it’s June and fish got active by mid-mornings as temps rose and fish wanted to feed.

Bluegill: Very Good – Pods of bedding Gills in the shallows, eagerly taking poppers, flys, thunderbugs, tiny jigs, small leeches and worms. Biologist are now telling us that those big bull males are just as, if not more, important as the big girls. They protect the genetics of those larger fish to hatch and survive the first few days of life. Have fun, but be selective, save some for future fun.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Bedding has started on some lakes. Top-water action a blast using Torpedos, Chug Bugs, Skitter Pops, Zara Puppys and Phantom Spiders. Tube jigs, 3 & 4” Wacky Worms and ZMan Ticklerz, Crawz and Finesse worms also hot!

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – While most bedding is over, Great action on tube jigs, 3” swim baits and X-Raps outside of previous spawning areas. Set slip-floats with large leeches in similar location 6-10’ down for fun light tackle action.

Musky: Very Good-Good – Smaller, fast moving bucktails (or tube tails) twitch baits and 6” gliders, hot! Top-water lures will make big splash (pun intended) as waters warm by week’s end.

Crappie: Good – Work tall weeds in 7-12’ using small twister tails, Mini Mites or crappie minnows on 1/32 oz jigs. Fan cast weed beds, working small beetle spins through weed tops to locate fish first.

Northern Pike: Good – Bladed baits such as spinner baits, chatter baits and #3 & #4 Mepps spinners. 4” swim baits and Daredevils also good choice just at weed top level. Jigging or soaking suckers and chubs working very well with the cool (below 70 degree) water temps.

Walleye: Good – Bite had been best in 5-8’ weeds, but fish moved deeper (10-14’) with colder weather. Large-Xlarge leeches best on jigs or under slip-floats. Casting long, minnow style cranks at night into shallows of 4-6’ scoring nicer Walleyes (most in the release slot of 20-24”)!

Yellow Perch: Good – Not a lot of attention, but nice “eater” Perch (9-10+) being caught on lakes in 6-10’ weeds and on Flowages in 14-18’ drowned wood on medium fatheads and medium leeches.

The Lac du Flambeau Tribe is set to open the tribal landings starting June 17th at midnight for those wishing to fish those waters.

Temps in the low 80’s should make for a great Father’s Day Weekend. Get DAD out and take him 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 6-23-20:

Despite a few set backs from cold fronts, small storms and…dunnnnn dunn dunnn dunnn…Mayfly hatches, fishing not bad overall.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Cold kept many Bass out in weeds, still feeding up before bedding. Tubes, Wacky Worms, 4” worms on jig heads, XL leeches and mud minnows for the bait pitchers. Best action in cabbage of 6-10’. Evenings, top-water action good on Frogs, Spiders and Jitterbugs.

Bluegill: Good – Small live bait (leeches, worms, thunderbugs) and tiny jigs with tinsel or plastic. Nice Gills on poppers on the warming evenings.

Musky: Good – Smaller bucktails, gliders and twitch baits. Top-water baits early and late in the day.

Walleye: Good – Some down turns with super low pressure, and the presences of the dreaded Mayfly hatch on certain lakes. But leeches in deeper cabbage and along coontail edges doing the trick. Just check for skins before launching.

Northern Pike: Good – Cover large weed flats using spinner baits, chatter baits and #3:#4 Mepps spinners. If not moving Pike doing this, switch to 1/16th oz slo-poke jig on a thin wire leader with a 4-6” chub or sucker to fish lower and slower into 6-10’ cabbage.

Crappie: Good – Shaking Gapen Freshwater Shrimp jigs, Mini Mites or 1” twister tails on 1/32 oz jigs through weed tops in 8-12’ best. Crappie minnows should be fished high in weeds also.

Yellow Perch: Good – Medium leeches, ½ crawlers in weed pockets. Warming mornings best, try slip-floats in these pockets.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Cruising outside coontail edges on Ned rigs and drop-shotting 3” minnow baits. Drowned wood also good choice using craw imitations.

Water temps that were cresting into the low 70’s last week dropped into the upper 60’s after fronts. Probably won’t see huge shifts due to highs forecasted in the 70’s this week.

But these same forecasters didn’t forecast the storm I got hit with Sunday afternoon, so what do they know???

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 6-30-20:

As June is coming to a close, most variables for fisher people are behind us also. Should be a steady time during July to pattern fish. Most all hexagenia (Mayfly species) have hatched, most bedding concluded or finishing up, and water temps typically have a slow, warming incline from here on out. Despite that, God gave fish fins, so they swim about and don’t always stay put. Personally, a hot bite I had on Thursday was nonexistent Friday so I had to go searching again!

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Inside weed lines, pockets in cabbage. Pitching creature baits, Wacky worms and 7” Power worms Texas style. Chatter baits and pre-rigged plastic worms over cabbage tops. It’s the right time for top water action using Hula Poppers, Jitterbugs, Plastic Frogs, Spiders and tail baits such as Whopper Ploppers! Surface temps in the low 70’s and climbing should provide lots of early and late top water action.

Walleye: Good – Hard to pin down day to day, gotta keep moving to stay on them… Mornings, afternoons using leeches on 1/16 oz weedless jigs in 7-10’ cabbage and coontail edges. Flowage Eyes in 14-17’ wood. Evenings on off shore humps taking XL leeches, crawlers or chubs – after dark bite good on XL leeches below lighted slip-floats.

Crappie: Good – Work weed tops of 8-12’ depth using Gapen Freshwater Shrimp, 1” Twister tails or Mini Mites below small floats or just “twitching” or “shivering” in place. Same with a 1/32 oz jig and minnow.

Northern Pike: Good – Action on bladed baits (bucktails or spinner baits) chatter baits and 4” swim baits. When morning action slows, soak a sucker or chub late morning. 39 ½” C&R this past week, more reports of low 30” fish being caught.

Bluegill: Good – Small leeches, thunderbugs, worms in shallows. Fly fishermen doing very well with poppers in the evenings

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Anglers twitching X-Raps, Husky Jerks in 10-14’ finding active, suspended fish. Evening around docks and trees in water on top water. Coontail edges of 12-18’ using Z-Man Ned Rigs or drop shotting 3” Gulp Minnows.

Yellow Perch: Good – Most Perch caught while fishing other species in weeds of 8-12’ using minnows, leeches, crawlers.

Musky: Good – Good reports coming from anglers using top water baits and large spinner baits. Still a few catching Skies on suckers (guide Jake Smith with 2 last week), but with water temps rising, keeping sucker alive may get tough!

Looks to be a hot 4th of July weekend coming up, as well as dry (If forecasters can be believed… my girlfriend still believes in weathermen… (how cute!). Temps almost to 90 degrees will probably require very early and very late prime time due to heat, sun and boaters.

Have a Great & Happy 4th of July America!!

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 7-07-20:

Lots of heat plus the Birthday of our Country put fishing on the back burner a bit this past week. Temps in the 90’s brought lake surface temps soaring into the low-mid 80’s. Mid-day fishing was nearly out of the question. Yet anglers who ventured out early and late had good reports.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Dominating the cabbage bed actions, morning Bass taking creature baits, Sweet Beavers, 5” Wacky Worms. Pre-rigged plastic worms, spinner baits, chatter baits and swim baits all getting their fair share. Evening anglers working surface baits doing extremely well. A 23 1/2” C&R verified this past week!!!

Bluegill: Very Good – While I thought all were done bedding, I found still some on larger lakes. Small leeches last long on hooks. Mini Mite jigs tipped with waxies and poppers on fly rods or behind clear floats excellent way to have exciting fun in evenings.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Working along coontail edges using Ned Rigs or drop-shotting 3” Gulp Minnows. Counting down lipless cranks, along same edges also effective.

Walleye: Good – Early, late or just before fronts. Leeches, crawlers and Red tails (though hard to keep alive in the heat). Early mornings work 8-12’ cabbage. Evenings along coontail edges in 14-20’. Guide reported 3 C&R Eyes of 26 ½” – 27 ½” in recent outing.

Northern Pike: Good – Best during cooler times of day. Boonie Baits, Chatter baits, silver minnows. Work those cabbage beds. Once heat of morning comes, move out to outside edges, pitch twitch baits.

Musky: Good – Been seeing best action during days outside weed edges of 10-18’ using Phantom soft tails and Smity Sm Jerks w/ tails. Evenings/Early AM go top water with noisy Whopper Ploppers, Bucher Top Raiders.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Some surprisingly shallow Crappies being caught using 2” twister tails in 4-6’. Other reports have anglers locating Crappies deeper by pilings and drowned wood in 12-18’ suspending 3-4’ off bottom.

Yellow Perch: Good – Moving to some deeper sand grass on larger lakes, wood on flowages. Offer frozen soft shells or ½ crawlers on jigs or Lindy Rigs.

Due to high surface temps, be careful playing fish. Get ‘em in and back out quickly. Surface temps in 80’s hard on fish, keep live wells running or ice in coolers to keep catch you decide to keep from spoiling.

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

Mark

Guys:

Especially musky guys, in the last two weeks we’ve seen water temps skyrocket almost 20 degrees!!! Every one of our musky leagues in the area have suspended league nights as a result. Local guides are cancelling and rebooking or just plain cancelling trips this year to protect these valuable fish.

If you have to fish for them… and I really don’t understand why you would, fish early in the day when the temps at the surface have diminished. Play them to the net as fast as possible, pictures in the water only and and get them back!!!

Personally, I will not fish them until water temps have dropped back to below 80*.

All right carry on!!!

Mark