Minocqua Area Report – 2021

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 7-26-21:

The fires in Canada, as bad as they’ve been, have had a small silver lining for those of us in the Northwoods. On mornings with North winds, the haze from the smoke has cut down on the sun, causing lower light levels than usual, bringing about good conditions for early morning Walleye and Crappie anglers.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Fish cabbage beds as signs of heavy feeding on crayfish (look down their throats, you’ll see antennae sticking out). Jig and creature combos, Wacky worms and Ned rigs have been producing well. Evenings and early mornings for top-water lures.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Outside coontail edges using tubes and drop-shotting 3” minnow imitations. Out over rock humps, drop-shotting 3” Wackys and small craw imitations best.

Bluegills: Very Good-Good – Lots of active Gills hovering along coontail tops and edges. Easy marks with small leeches, worms suspended under floats 3-5’ down.

Northern Pike: Good – Targeting using spinner baits best. Anglers using red tail and black chubs for Walleyes in weeds reporting good action.

Musky: Good – Best evenings and early AM on top-water baits. Work gliders and twitch baits fairly quick in warm waters of summer. Staff member Bob Weigandt boated a 45” er this week from a canoe! Boy has balance.

Crappies: Fair-Good – Found Crappies surprisingly shallow gorging on young of year Perch in 3-5’ heavy weeds. 1-2” twister tails on 1/32 oz jig worked over weed tops, surprisingly hard hits. On the same trip – same body of water, also found similar sized (10-13”) Crappies in 14-17’ relating to weed and deep weeds.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Good weed action on “smokey”, overcast mornings on red tails, crawlers. Evenings next best if you fish a day without clouds. Clouds, rain hit the weeds again.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Most as incidental catches targeting Walleyes and Crappies in weeds

Forecast of mild lows (upper 50’s – low 60’s) in morning, warming sun bringing temps into 80’s followed by night showers this week won’t hurt. Cloud cover for most of weekend helpful.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-09-21:

As the first week of August passes, changes in our lakes are slight, but present. Surface temps have remained pretty consistent of late, running in the low to mid 70’s, but some sign of changes in certain weeds has been occurring and it seems to be affecting fish activity in those areas.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – This species is least affected by weed changes at this time of year, as they are usually working deep coontail edges, sandgrass flats and off shore gravel/rock humps feeding on crayfish and, on rock humps, sculpin that use those areas. Football style jigs with creature baits or drop-shotting 3” minnow/worm or goby imitations and Ned rigging work best.

Northern Pike: Good – Stick to broad leaf (brown) cabbage or “green” narrow leaf cabbage. If weeds have a yellowing tint, less likely to hold fish. Spinner baits (Boonies, K’s) and chatter baits when windy. On very high or very low-pressure days, stick to jigging 4-6” chubs or suckers.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Evening bite good on top-water lures such as frogs, Hula Poppers, Whopper Ploppers, etc. Day time use Wacky Worms to work weed edges

Bluegills: Good – Best outside coontail edges suspended 4-6’ down on Mini-Mite, Gapen Freshwater Shrimp and small leeches suspended under floats. Poppers and flys for the last couple hours of light.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Best over sandgrass flats using frozen crayfish or ½ crawlers on Lindy style rigs or slip-floats.

Crappies: Fair-Good – Best along 12’ weeds or out over drowned wood/cribs using small-medium fatheads, small plastics (Crappie Scrubs) or feather jigs with tinsel. Not tight schools, so searching needed.

Musky: Fair – Anglers plying deep weed edges moving some fish. Top-water action not as productive as expected.

Walleye: Fair – Best on deeper lakes where Walleyes working sandgrass outside coontail edges in 14-20’ using full crawlers, red tails or the biggest leeches you can find.

Bullheads: Very Good! – Found a good bite and no one interested…some people!

August can get tricky. Weather has been consistent, temps good but for some reason, fishing can be tough at times. Not impossible, just not always as good as we’d like. Takes a bit of moving around, but just like me, they gotta eat sometime! (Or is that all the time?)

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-16-21:

Stable weather for the past few days (8/13 onward) through the coming week should mean some easier patterning of the bite. Unfortunately, the bites have not been great. Bluebird days make for great experiences on the water, but not the easiest for fishing.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Some nice fish to 20” this weekend working 16-22’ edges using heavy tubes, drop-shots and Ned worm rigs. Fish not concentrated, but coontail edges and rocky humps producing.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Top-water action picking up on the warm evenings. Buzz baits, Whopper Ploppers and Jitterbug users reporting nice action last two hours before dark. Daytime Wacky Worming in 8-12’ cabbage beds doing well.

Bluegills: Good – Best action suspended outside coontail edges in 14-16’ using small leeches or Mini-Mites suspended 4-6’ down below small floats.

Yellow Perch: Good – Active along outside weed edges on ½ crawlers or medium fatheads. Lots of smaller fish, but sorting through enough to make a meal.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Not as good on the brightest days, but wind helps. Spinner baits and chatter baits always a favorite. Weedless spoons (Silver Minnows, Jawbreakers) also good, tip with a 3-4” twister tail for added action.

Crappies: Fair – Tough to find consistent action working weed tops. Some anglers finding a little action outside coontail edges using minnows.

Musky: Fair – Best early or late in the day on top-water baits worked over weeds leading to deeper water. Bucktails bulged under surface, as well as large spinner baits also producing.

Walleye: Fair-Poor – Very early or late in the evening. Whole crawlers worked along 12-18’ edges dropping to deeper water produced some nice “slot” fish but action spotty.

With lows in upper 50’s to low 60’s overnight and into the low 80’s through the day forecasted for the next week, the stability should help improve the bite. August can be a finicky month, with some species of weeds dying off, minnow and small fish populations peaked, and very nice weather (read: lots of sun) making for challenging fishing at times. Key in on low light periods and don’t fret the mid-day stuff.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-24-21:

Odd to be moving into the second half of August and seeing water temps rise and no sign of signals of Fall yet. Some patterns have not set up as usual for this time of year.

Bullheads: Very Good – On bodies of water with good numbers and size, surprisingly showing up on slip-bobber rigs baited with medium fatheads being fished for crappies. Fish of 11 – 14” being caught.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Smallies beat action coming along coontail edges and off shore rock humps using Ned rigs and drop-shot rigs. Some very nice fish reported this week topped by a 6 ½# caught be an 11 year old working a crawler harness!

Largemouth Bass: Good – Top-water action during the last two hours before dark best using Whopper Ploppers and Choppers. Wacky Worming and jig/creatures combo in green weed patches for daytime!

Bluegills: Good – Best outside deep coontail edges using small leeches. Some popper action towards dusk on the warm evenings.

Northern Pike: Good – Spinner baits and chatter baits on cloudy/windy days, but with most days sunny, live chubs and suckers on jigs or under floats producing better.

Yellow Perch: Good – Fair– Some nice perch (9-11”) along breaks in 10 – 12’ where wood is present is best. ½ crawlers or medium fatheads.

Crappies: Fair -Good– Off and on action, but some big slabs recorded including a verified 17” SLAB caught (8/23). Fish not bunched but all seem to be found in 12-17’ near wood or deep coontail.

Walleye: Fair – Need to pick your battles. High skies with little wind tough. Opportunities on mornings with fog or evenings best. Retails and crawlers best.

Musky: Fair – Poor – Not getting many good reports and most from anglers catching mid-30” fish over weeds in 12’ of water or less.

We’ll see what the upcoming week brings. Overcast and chance of rain will made walleye anglers happier.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 8-30-21:

The Lakeland area is still in the throes of a warm spell! (Pretty dramatic, eh?)

Actually, the further north you go you’ll see signs of the coming season, but around here, lake surface temps are still in the mid 70’s and only a very few trees have shown any color.

Some submergent plants are dying off, putting certain weed beds into no-swim zones it seems. Best bets are coontail (doesn’t die) off shore humps of sandgrass or rock/gravel or drowned wood. Many of these areas showing fish, yet tough to get bites at times.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Fish aforementioned gravel humps or coontail edges using drop-shot 3” minnow imitations, 3” Wacky Worms or live crawlers. On lakes, depth ranging 14-24’, on flowages 6-14’.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Have to move away from dying weeds to entice fish to bite along edges. Wacky worming and drop-shotting effective along 12-16’ edges. A few reports of top-water action on evenings.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Deep sandgrass using ½ crawlers on Lindy or drop-shot rigs. Flowage Perch in the wood of 12-14’.

Northern Pike: Fair – With weed beds in flux, Pike very scattered. Some along deep coontail, others in green narrow leaf cabbage taking jig/chub combos. When water temps drop below 70’s, look for Pike to get more active and chase spinner baits, Mepps and chatter baits with a little more resolve!

Walleye: Fair – Catches vary day to day, sometimes with small windows of opportunity while biting on large fatheads, medium redtails or crawlers. If you can find a cabbage bed without dying weeds, fish it! Otherwise work deep humps, wood.

Crappies: Fair – Also very spotty! Some deep wood fish, but many reports of sitting over tight-lipped fish. Some big slabs to 14+” this past week, but not a lot of catching.

Bluegills: Fair – The one bright spot was the flying ant hatch that happens every year about the 3rd-4th week of August. If you happen to be on the water and its relatively calm, you can have a blast with small dry flys or poppers. Other than that, Gills have been somewhat slower than usual.

Musky: Poor – Not getting many reports of anglers moving fish. Many smaller lakes have algae blooms making sighting tough on follows. Best on surface lures or bucktails with large fluted blades.

The slightly warmer than usual late August temps, algae blooms and dying weeds have made for below typical late August fishing (which is typically tough anyway). Friday’s forecasted dip in temp for a high may trigger some interest, but it looks as if temps will remain in the mid 70’s for the rest of the weekend.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-07-21:

An abbreviated fishing report this week unfortunately.

Labor Day weekend was quieter on the water than most years with wind, rain and clouds not making for an inviting weekend.

Lake surface temps are finally dropping into the mid to upper 60’s. Not seeing a spike in activity yet, but that will be coming soon.

Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Perch rated good-fair.

Smallmouth Bass and Crappie rated fair.

Walleye, Northern Pike and Musky fair-poor. Did get a report of a Musky on a sucker rig, but for right now top-water lures and large bladed bucktails and spinner baits best.

Will try to update report this week if time allows.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-13-21:

The hot fall fishing can’t come soon enough for those of us looking at warmer than usual mid-September lake temps and some finicky fish of late.

Even early fall patterns have yet to kick in fully, leaving some anglers frustrated at the level of activity. Some, on the other hand, are seeing good action based on the reports of anglers targeting Musky and large Smallmouth!

Musky: Good-Very Good – Top-water action has been picking up as anglers are finding shallow water fish eager to take tail baits (Whopper Ploppers, Tally Wackers and Top Raiders) fished from just inside weed lines to just outside. Smity’s Flaptails have also been a good “throwback” bait on short sighted fish.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Don’t tell that to deep gravel anglers as only smaller fish seem to be out there. But outside weed edges are holding average fish, while the real brutes (19”+) are hanging in weeds (inside edges) hitting #90 Whopper Ploppers and buzz baits.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – A few reports of decent Pike action on spinner baits and 4” swim baits. Live bait seems to have been a better choice for the “windows” when the bite was good.

Bluegill: Fair-Good – Interestingly, another flying ant hatch (usually about the third week of August) appeared this past weekend. Saw signs of small Gills feeding, but not as much from larger Gills. Weed beds without wilting (yellowing) weeds best.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Best in heavy, green cabbage on jig/creature combos or wacky worming. Some top-water action on warming evenings.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Loosely mixed into green cabbage of 8-12” on some lakes taking crawlers. Not many reports.

Walleye: Fair – Anglers finding some migration to rock humps on lakes the further north you go. 1/8 – 1/4 oz jigs tipped with large fatheads best.

Crappie: Fair – Very few reports but some anglers using medium fatheads caught some scattered fish. Best bet to start at weed edges in 16’ with fish suspended 6’ off the bottom.

Lake surface temps range 64-69 degrees still! Rising in afternoons. Seems the flat, clear days were tough but wind created opportunity for anglers to find action by Saturday. Doesn’t look like temps will drop very fast, highs in mid-70’s will see to that. Trees just starting to show a little color in the Lakeland Area.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-21-21:

Things slowly moving into a good fall pattern. With temps this past week swinging wildly from lows of 36 degrees to highs of 84 degrees and water temps fluctuating from low to upper 60’s had things a little mixed up, plus lots of wind!

Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Not the easiest of conditions, yet anglers fishing weeds of 8-12’ did well using Wacky Worms and drop-shot rigs. Large suckers working for the live bait anglers.

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Jigging chubs and suckers in the 3-5’ range where ever green weeds of 4-10’ could be found. Casting weedless spoons (Jawbreakers, Silver Minnows) and spinner baits also good.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Numbers found on gravel humps or along coontail edges using drop-shot rigs or Ned rigs. Big Bass have been very shallow! These big fish found along inside weed lines taking top-water (Whopper Ploppers) or tubes on light jig heads (1/16 – 1/8 oz). Big 19-22”+ fish being reported.

Crappie: Good – Starting to group up on certain waters. Look for deeper clusters of wood or outside of 14-18’ coontail. Use slip floats to suspend bait 2-4’ off bottom.

Musky: Good-Fair – Heat over weekend seemed to slow things. Top-water best during low light levels. Bucktails and swim baits over top of deeper weeds. Live suckers on bladed rigs having some success with all the wind of late.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Action starting to pick up on traditional fall locations as anglers fishing deep gravel/mud flat edges picking up fish on jig/minnow and Lindy rigs. Wind blown shorelines are giving anglers some success on scattered Walleyes feeding on young Perch.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Few targeting, but nice Perch (10”+) being caught by anglers fishing Walleyes in shallows on 1/16 oz jigs and large fatheads.

Bluegill: Fair – Some big Gills as incidental catches fishing Crappies, but few anglers targeting in wind.

This coming week looks to be more favorable as temps unlikely to crest mid 60’s until Sunday and night time lows in 40’s should get surface temps to hold in low 60’s. These next two to three weeks should be prime for fish activity and provide lots of opportunities for anglers targeting all their favorites.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 9-27-21:

A bit of a long, stretched out cool down. Water temps hanging in the low to mid 60’s despite some night time lows in the upper 30’s, afternoon warm spells averaging things out.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best in live green weeds in water of 5-8’. Swim baits, Wacky worms. Most action subtle, not a lot of aggressive action.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Same a last week, big fish (19”+) in shallows, inside weed edges on Whopper Ploppers and spinner baits with Colorado blades. Off shore humps and coontail edges providing action fish (10-14”) on drop-shot rigs.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Most action on spinner baits and 4” swim baits. Wind blown shores providing best action.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Still scattered, but starting to find some small concentrations in around wood of 12-16’. Medium fats under slip-floats best.

Walleye: Fair – Bite best on lakes with depth. Walleyes being picked up along transition areas of hard to soft, with mud flats in 20-30’ producing for anglers jigging large fat heads or ½ crawlers.

Bluegill: Fair – Some big Gills (9”+) being found deep in 14-18’ around wood being used by Crappies

Yellow Perch: Fair – Same as Gills on Flowages. On lakes Perch found scattered along weed flats of 6-10’.

Musky: Fair – Shallow weeds still best with top-water, swim baits and large fluted bladed buck tails. With water temps in low 60’s, the sucker bite isn’t far away.

Gonna have some very nice weather this week, too nice for us anglers, but by the weekend things should cool and improve into October.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-05-21:

Weather continues to be too nice!

Cool nights can’t seem to combat the sunny, warm afternoons and get these water temps dropping. This traditionally has been a very good weekend to be fishing, last year at this time the weather was cold and the fishing hot! Forecast doesn’t show much of a change for the coming week. Algae blooms popping up like its August for crying out loud!

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – The bright spot for this week’s reports as Smallies seem to be gathering on rock piles and drowned wood. Drop-shotting 3” minnow replicas, slip-floating minnows and jigging crawlers helped save several trips this past week with #’s and large Smallies to 20+”. A few anglers still scoring big Smallies shallow on top-water and swim baits in water as shallow as 2-3’.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Finding green weeds has been key, swimming 3-5” swim baits, spinner baits and lipless cranks have been effective to finding action for those still targeting Largemouth.

Northern Pike: Fair – Even this typically easy to find fish have had their moments. With days of no clouds and little, to no, wind, even Pike became tough at times. Swim baits (4-5”) spinner baits and jig and 4-6” suckers have been best.

Crappie: Fair – Big slabs (Crappies of 13-14”+) but numbers off. Fish still scattered, on bright, flat days work deeper to 16-19’ to find fish. Eaters (10-12”) coming on medium fats under floats.

Walleye: Fair – Bites best at dawn and again after 5 PM, as Walleyes not happy with high pressure, sunny skies and little wind. Chubs and crawlers best choice, these fish also very scattered and light biting.

Musky: Fair-Poor – Action not what’s expected! Still some shallow weed fish, but top-water not up to snuff. Bucktails with Marabou and swimming rubber baits best. Haven’t had many reports of size, mostly low-mid 30”ers.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Not being targeted much. A few nice fish in drowned wood being caught by anglers targeting Walleye or Crappie.

Bluegill: Fair-Poor – Not being targeted. Some big Gills (9+”) in and around deep (14-18’) wood on ½ crawlers.

What to think! Water temps dropping into low 60’s overnight, but shooting up to 68-70 degrees by afternoons. As stated earlier, algae blooms off setting, looks like the typical fall “sucker” season may be a couple weeks away. All we can do is keep casting away, waiting for the “bite” to get hot once the weather gets cold.

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

Thanks Mark! Will be up Friday night – hoping for better luck than in June, but not holding my breath!

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-12-21:

Feels like we’ve been in a “forever September” with afternoon temps in the 70’s holding lake surface temps running 63-67+ degrees. Beautiful weather, most days with almost no wind, lots of sun, but not what us anglers are looking for this time of year.

Fish continue to seem as perplexed as anglers for the most part. Mostly just us anglers, not finding the fish where we expect them or in the quantity.

Musky: Good – Following a poor rating last week, went out and had a 3 fish day, all on suckers. Fish have been moving and action should only improve once weather cools. Smity Jerks, Mantas and 7” twitch baits moving fish best, but bucktails still moving fish also.

Crappies: Fair-Good – While wood fish remain scattered, anglers finding good action working 10-13’ of weeds, keeping minnows at weed top levels, 3-4’ off bottom, working best as are mini-mites and small hair jigs. A little surprised to find crappies in this location at this time of year but with water temps running above average and 10-12 degrees warmer than this time last year, nothing should be surprising.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Some good catches of 9-12’ perch being caught using 1/16 oz weedless jigs tipped with medium fatheads in 8-9’ weed edges and pockets.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Some good action on nice eaters in shallows with weeds and signs of small 1-2” yellow perch. Jig and minnow, #3 Mepps spinners, and ¼ oz spinnerbaits producing.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Picking fish up in small groups from gravel/mud transition areas. Large fatheads, suckers, and black chubs on 1/8 – 1/4 oz jigs. Drowned wood holding eyes in 10-14’ of water, slip-floats holding crawlers just above logs best.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best off shore humps and hanging around sandgrass flats. Drop-shotting best approach, yet live bait meant for walleyes also providing action.

Bluegill: Fair – Few reports, but some larger gills taking small minnows meant for crappies over weed tops in 10-13’.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Poor – Not sure why, but finding largemouth not easy over the weekend. Could be musky relating to shallower weeds putting a damper on largemouth bite.

These reports are from info I gather from my own trips, customers, and people I meet at landings. Things change, sometimes quickly. For example – last week I gave musky a poor report then went out and had 3 boated in one trip. Cant’ catch ‘em if you don’t try.

If forecast holds true (sounds of eyes rolling) we could see some cooler weather by the weekend, the musky, walleye, and crappie bites should spike up. Watch for surface temps to dip into upper 50’s to get things going.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-18-21:

Getting some of what we anglers have been asking for. Colder temps and wind have lake surface readings in the 50’s. So, what’s with the fish we ask? High pressure, full moon…, could point to all types of excuses (and we usually do)! Fishing, with a few exceptions, has remained sub-par for this time of year. Participation seems light also.

Musky: Fair-Good – In my boat “POOR”, but a few anglers reported seeing fish and a few upper 40” fish (46, 47 & 48” ers) reported. Mixed reports, one large fish on top-water, though that will probably end as water temps dip into mid-50’s. Gliders, Jerks and twitch baits preferred, with suckers producing some of the best fish of the week.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Wind made for tough boat control. Anglers able to find fishable fish found them in gravel/mud transition fish in depths of 20-34’ using 1/4 – 3/8 oz jigs tipped with black chubs or large fats. On lakes less deep, work 12-15’ weed edges, wind-blown, with 1/8 oz weedless jigs and fats

Smallmouth Bass: Fair-Good – Same with Walleye, wind made locations tough to fish. Drop-shotting 3” minnow imitations best near drowned timber.

Crappies: Fair – No reports of numbers, but fish running large – 10-12” eaters and 13-15” slabs not uncommon. Lakes in warm, calm bays over weed tops in 9-12’. Flowages near drowned wood in 12-18’

Northern Pike: Fair – Few targeting. Pike still relatively shallow on jig/chub combos.

Due to wind and time of year (lack of participation) reports on Gills, Perch and Largemouth lacking.

While forecast of high 60’s temps early in week, night time temps in low 30’s and highs of low to mid-40’s by the weekend will put lakes in or at the brink of turn-over. Check water clarity before launching.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-25-21:

Cold temps have pushed many area lakes into the dreaded “Turn Over” period (insert spooky sound effects). Surface temps on most lakes running 51 – 56 degrees. Fishing reports have been off by the weekend with lots of grumbling from anglers finding fishing tough.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Thanks to a recent report (didn’t get your name) anglers finding Smallies stacking up along gravel/mud transitions in 22-26’. Live black chubs were this angler’s choice for lots of nice Smallies. Asking around, other anglers are finding similar success using drop-shot rigs to present 3” Gulp-Alive minnows and Walleye suckers. Larger lakes that haven’t experienced turn-over best!

Walleye: Good-Fair – Finding the right group of fish willing to bite has been tough. Even the deep fish have been tight lipped. Locating smaller lakes that have turned (under 600 acres, but at least 30’ depth) and slow dragging 1/2 crawlers on 1/8 oz jigs in 17-22’ worked for our boat on Sunday. Most anglers using chubs and large fats with success.

Musky: Fair – Luckily, most of my hair is gone, so unlike some of the more well-maned guides, I know I have little left to pull out. Mid-week was good with anglers scoring very well on Smity Jerks working green weeds, some in as little as 3-5’. But as weekend came, things got tough and little action, the best on suckers. With continued cold mornings (upper 20’s to low 30’s) and high barely cresting 50 most days, look for post turn-over action on gliders, jerks and live suckers to be best from here on out.

Northern Pike: Fair – No reports from targeted fish, just incidentals.

Largemouth Bass, Crappies, Perch & Gills – No Reports

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-01-21:

As October exits (one of the warmest most of us can remember), and we move into November, our weather seems to be getting back on track. Saturday (10/30) was a warm (55 degrees) flat calm, sunny day – looks like about it for the rest of the week.

Musky: Good – With water temps ranging 48-55 degrees, working gliders, jerks and medium sized rubber baits moving and catching fish along first breaks in 10-14’ of water (deeper (14-24’)) on large lakes. Suckers and trout on quick strikes picking up the slack when follows don’t take.

Walleye: Good – Locations depending on lake type. Shallower lakes and mid-sized lakes with green cabbage seeing a good bite developing on windward weed lines and at dusk. Daytime concentrate on outside edges of weeds in 12-14’. On larger lakes the deep-water bite in 22-40’ using appropriate weight jigs (1/8 – 1/2 oz) to work chubs, suckers and even 1/2 crawlers, as well as, jigging Raps and Shiver Minnows to score Walleyes.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Best over deep wood and along coontail edges of 14-18’. Medium fatheads under slip-floats best. A few reports early in week of Crappies holding over cabbage flats in 8-12’.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Most anglers targeting using jig and chubs as water cools. A few incidentals by Musky anglers.

Bluegills, Yellow Perch – Few reports, most from anglers Walleye or Crappie fishing.

Angler participation has been dropping off, as expected. With the warm October, expect open water to remain for a while. This week’s temps, lows forecasted for low to mid-20’s with mid-week highs in mid-30’s turning to mid to upper 40’s by weekend. Still, plenty of open water opportunities.

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-09-21:

First full week of November under our belt and things on the water seem to be slowing down. With most lakes having surface temps of 46 degrees to as low as 41 degrees, and forecast of rain, then snow through the weekend, lakes will see even less pressure this week. Most lakes and launch sites were pretty empty as it was.

Musky: Good-Fair – Action best on live bait this week (suckers/trout), but fish not aggressive. Reports of Musky just holding on to back end of bait, not committing. Set back hook further back or use a 3-hook rig to combat. Is it possible they’ve seen these rigs too often come fall? Seems like a common scenario late season. Slow working large swim baits and jerks moving fish, but not many hits.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Not lots of action, but quality Perch (9-12”) fishing medium fat heads or ½ crawlers around drowned wood. Following last week’s “non” report, reader submitted report… and I confirmed. Thanks!

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Few targeting, but those fishing Walleyes along transition breaks of 22-26’ finding some big Smallies on chubs fished on Lindy style rigs.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Deep water anglers catching Eyes in 24-40’ using suckers and chubs. Deep clear lakes best with fish hovering along breaks to mud from gravel.

Crappies: Good-Fair – Warming afternoons best with anglers finding scattered fish 2-3’ off mud bottoms. Deeper wood and breaks best.

Northern Pike: Fair – Few targeting. Anglers fishing Musky with suckers being “bothered” and those targeting Walleyes and Crappies on flowages catching some using minnows.

With forecasted lows in the 20’s and nothing higher than 37 degrees forecasted after Friday (11/12) expect water temps to fall further.

Deer hunters: Rut going on right now!!

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

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-16-21:

At the halfway point of November. Pond behind shop is ice covered. Typically, that means Lake Minocqua will have ice (not safe, just ice) cover in 7-10 days. We will see!

Musky: Good – Not many anglers on water. Air temps in 30’s as are water temps. Guide Jake Smith ended his season (of 59 straight Musky trips) with a three fish day on Sunday, including a big Tiger. Most of the few Musky anglers reported best on suckers or trout, with a few boated fish on jerk baits and rubber.

Walleye: Good – Deep water bite still good for the few anglers using suckers or large fatheads in 25-40’ along mud/gravel transitions.

Little else to report as open water fishing activity is quieting down. Of note, this is the first year here in the North where Musky season remains open thru December 31st… but only on open water. ICE is not allowed to be used as a base.

Forecast for coming week has lows of 20’s to down to single digits by next Tuesday (11/23), the short time temps will be above freezing won’t keep ice from forming on smaller lakes.

Deer Gun Season opens 11/20, so be aware of your surroundings when in the outdoors and good luck!

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 11-22-21:

Almost made it a whole year without a mistake! For the 6 or 8 people still reading this report this time of year, last week surface temps were in the low to mid 40’s…they probably aren’t now! Some lakes and bays skimmed over Sunday morning (11/21) but if any part was still open the ice was quickly blown off by high winds on Sunday afternoon. Overnight lows in the upper single digits is building ice on locked up lakes. Open water waiting for wind to stop.

Musky: Good-Very Good – Not many anglers out (opener of gun deer), but those that were had good success on suckers and trout on quick set rigs. Gliders also caught fish as two different boats reported fish of 43” and 46” on Smity baits and Phantoms.

As ice forms on the lakes (the “Pond” froze, opened and has since refroze), it is important to use caution in deciding to fish. Also, with the Musky season extending through December this year, ice CAN NOT be used as a base to fish Musky. Just so anglers are clear on this, ice fishing for Musky is not allowed.

As safe ice develops, we will update posts.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

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 11-30-21:

Early ice fishing season is upon us! Small lakes and protected bays reporting 3-4+” of good solid ice, prior to Mondays (11/29) snow.

Walleye: Very Good – Evening bites in shallow weeds of 4-6’ of water. Get out early to check ice conditions and set-up. Fish are aggressive early like this, Jigging Raps, Chubby Darters, Rip ‘n Raps, Slab Raps. Shiver Minnows worked at dusk, as well as lively shiners on tip-downs. Work closer to shore (2-4’) if dusk bite fades as Walleyes moving shallow to feed while ice still not very thick.

Northern Pike: Very Good – Shiners, chubs or suckers on tip-ups. Jigging Slender Spoons tipped with a minnow head also producing well. Pike very active, reports of anglers not getting all 3 tip-ups out before having a “limit” of eaters.

Crappie: Good – Also shallow in 4-8’ of green weeds taking small minnows or Little Cecils tipped with waxies.

Caution is highly advisable as larger lakes have yet to freeze, or have not put on safe ice thickness due to wind. Foot traffic only, spud your way out to keep track of ice thickness. Fish with a friend (or Mother-in-law) and let them walk out first. Don’t travel on early ice without picks and rope. Last night’s snow (4” in Minocqua/Arbor Vitae to 8” in St. Germaine) will be hard on new ice. Hopefully, 18 hour period of above freezing temps starting Wed thru Thurs AM will be enough to knock snow down to allow cold to shore up ice thickness.

There are opportunities to fish now, but use common sense when thinking of early ice conditions and always be prepared.

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 12-07-21:

A 9” snowfall and lots of wind 12/5 thru 12/6 shut down what had been a nice start to our ice season. Fortunately, high winds and cold temps (sub zero) made for light snow that in many cases blew off the unsheltered portions of the lakes. This should allow for the cold to work its way in and make some more ice!

Walleye: Very Good-Good – Action (and participation) slowed by Sunday (12/5) but good catches and nice Walleyes even during mid-late afternoons. Jigging rattle baits (Rattlin Raps, Hyper Rattles and Rattlin Google Eyes) and vibration baits (such a Z-Vibers) also effective during these early ice days when Walleyes are the most active. Shiners on tip-ups are the preferred live bait while Eyes are still in the weeds.

Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Great time to ice some nice Pike in shallower water using big shiners or Pike suckers. Good reports of nice Pike in the 26-34” range. Try jigging a large Slender Spoon tipped with a minnow head on a medium to medium/heavy spinning rod and reel set up for some real fun!

Crappie: Good – Most anglers trying for Crappies finding action in green weeds of 5-8’. Minnows on tip-downs and Lethal Cecils fluttered down to entice action.

Bluegills, Perch, Bass: Few reports, not many anglers targeting.

Ice will still build, but not the way we would like with the snow cover. Walking still the only safe mode of transportation. Spud your way out anywhere you go. Look for 3” of solid clear ice for a safe platform. Many smaller lakes and protected bays have 3-5” as of now with 1-1 ½” of “soft” ice on top. Above all, be safe and use good judgement on 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 12-14-21:

Mid-December and still lots of questions about our ice conditions. Thanks to over 20” of snow through two snow falls at the beginning AND the end of last week, the little (3-6”) of ice we have on our small lakes and bays are under a lot of strain!

The first snow (12/5), about 9”, was light and mostly blew off the lakes. The second snow (12/10) added 12” of heavier snow. Warmth and wind have helped, but lakes are still messy. Some shorelines where snow piled up have deteriorating ice. Other areas, more wind swept with traffic to pack down and refreeze slush are better. No matter, still important to check ice conditions before traveling, spud bar, safety picks and rope are essentials at this time of year

Walleye: Very Good-Good – Bite depending as always on weather (pre-storm on Friday – excellent, post storm on Saturday – not so much!). Jigging rattling baits in 6-8’ of weeds towards dusk working extremely well as “early ice” Walleyes still aggressive. Shiners on tip-ups in same weeds working “cause you can’t be in two places at once”.

Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Large baits on bladed wire rigs scoring some nice Pike in the 26-32” range this past week. Mid-mornings and mid-afternoon had been peak times. Could be earlier in a.m. as we hit warm spell mid-week.

Crappie: Good – Check tall weeds (green) in 6-10’. Work entire water column using light fluttering spoons (Lethal Cecils) to slow drop waxies, plastics or beaver tail until you find “the depth” they want to bite at. Don’t be surprised on warm days if Crappies are right under ice.

Bluegill: Good – Those targeting are finding Gills in shallow (3-6’) weeds. Soft bottomed bays are best using #10 tear drops tipped with waxies or red plastic tails.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Lots of small fish in shallows. Push out into 6-10’ weeds to find “eaters” on medium fatheads or Forage Minnow Spoons tipped with waxies.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Not a lot of attention, but some anglers targeting using medium shiners on tip-ups in 5-8’ of green weeds.

Wind, rain and a 40 hour stretch of above freezing temps with highs into mid-50’s could help the conditions. Hopefully, it’s a long enough stretch to melt down snow and slush and allow ice to build back up again with the following cold.

Most reports of solid, good ice are ranging 3-7” with edges of the lakes experiencing the worse of the slush depending if it’s the side (usually the east) the snow blew into.

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

My apologies as I have realized that I have been derelict in my duties!!! Between the work during the Holidays at USPS and working in a greater capacity for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association (WIFA) Board getting the State HS Championship ready, I just plain forgot!!!

Getting caught up today before hopefully some fishing in the warmer air!!!

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 12-20-21:

WHEW! Last week’s “heat wave” (up to 54 degrees) came just in time to save us from certain DOOM! Following the 12” of heavy wet snow from 12/10, the “summer” breeze, rain and wind of 12/15-16 knocked down the slush and snow very nicely. The following cold firmed and built ice up making access to more fishing areas and improved the overall quality of anglers’ outings. While a few Big lakes only have a couple of inches of ice (Fence, Trout) most other lakes reporting 5-10” of ice. Slippery, cleats a necessity, chiseling still smart for untrespassed ice.

Walleye: Very Good – With improved access, anglers able to get out on more areas and do well jigging Rapalas, Tikkas, Rippin Raps as well as Flash Champs, Forage Minnow Spoons and Leech Flutter Spoons tipped with minnow heads, shiners on tip-ups at dusk and after in cabbage of 6-10’. Pre-dawn also offering another chance of action before sun gets too high.

Northern Pike: Very Good – Big shiners on tip-ups doing the trick as lots of nice reports of bigger Pike (tops 37½” on Sunday) in cabbage of 4-10’. Run rigs with blades for added attraction above tip-up bait. Set ups with rods & reels (I-Fish Pro, Jaw Jackers) very fun to fight these crazy fish from under the ice.

Crappie: Very Good – Great reports from anglers using small minnow (rosies, fats) or working small, thin spoons in 6-12’ of water. Good reports of eaters (10-12”) plus big slabs topped by a 15”er. Good bite at dusk!

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Once wind subsided by Saturday (12/18), anglers reported Gills active in 4-8’ of water taking dark (black, purple, red) jigs tipped with similar colored plastics, beaver tail or red spikes. Nice “eaters” of 7½ – 8½“ with some big bulls to 11”+ reported.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Medium shiners on tip-ups rigged with flouro carbon leaders in 6-10’ cabbage. Anglers “dipping” for Crappies and Gills picking up occasional Bass on spoons tipped with waxies.

Yellow Perch: Good – Mostly #’s of smaller Perch in the shallows, but a few larger (9-11”) to make things interesting. Try baiting up with medium fatheads or small shiners to keep the little guys at bay.

Forecast for this coming week looks good. Below freezing temps except for Friday (12/24) Christmas Eve Day, with a chance of rain, but dropping overnight to the teens should only firm things up better. Expect good travel, but chains on your quad tires, chains on your feet or a pillow on your hinder) are advised.

Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the outdoors with your loved ones.

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

All right, concluded the 2021 Thread, Moving on to 2022!!!

Mark