Minocqua Area Report – 2023

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 08-01-23:

Summer is heating up… again… here in the Northwoods! Following some cool mornings last week, temps are rising into the upper 80’s this week, pushing lake surface temps up with them. This warming trend should put the bites back into early mornings and evenings more than the previous week when cool mornings held bites off until mid/late AM.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Top-water action in the evenings has been getting good reports as anglers finding active fish hitting Whopper Ploppers, Jitterbugs, Frogs and Buzzbaits. Pre-rigged plastic worms, twitchbaits (Husky Jerks) and Wacky Worms getting the nod mornings and afternoons.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Sandgrass flats, off-shore humps, rock slides holding good numbers and size. Drop-shotting Z-Man Craws and 3” Gulp Alive Minnows, as well as Ned rigging, has scored nice Smallies this past week from those targeting these fighters. Simple slip-floating hair jigs or large leeches along coontail edges in 14-18’ of water also producing nice fish of 16-19”.

Bluegill: Good-Very Good – Daytime work weed tops of cabbage flats in 8-10’ using Mini-Mites, 1” twisters or small leeches under small slip-floats. Evenings fish poppers on the surface around calm shores.

Yellow Perch: Good – Heat has Perch action picking up. Both cabbage flats, and on deeper lakes sand grass flats, Perch taking beaver tails or pieces of crawlers. On Flowages, target drowned wood using slip-floats with medium fatheads or beaver tails

Musky: Good – Action picking up on top-water (Dr. Evils, Pacemakers, Flaptails and Fat monkeybutts), as well as bucktails, over weed flats. Musky seem to be found all over, in water as shallow as 2-3’ and out along deep weeds (coontail) in 18-20’. Deeper fish responding to rubber baits.

Crappie: Good – Weed tops in 10-14’ using Kalin Crappie Scrubs or other 2” twister style plastics. Fish are scattered, picking up fish here and there.

Northern Pike: Fair – A recent drop off in activity by most reports. Live chubs and suckers on weedless jigs or below floats when Pike not willing to chase spinnerbaits or chatterbaits.

Walleye: Fair – Some signs of scattered late Mayfly hatches could be a reason for the “soft” Walleye reports. Crawlers, redtails and the largest leeches available to tempt during small windows of activity.

Scattered weather in the form of small showers and warming water is a bit of an inconvenience, but should help spur some good action for both Bass species and Musky this 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 08-08-23:

Stable Northwoods summer weather has helped lock in some good fishing patterns of late. Surface lake temps have pushed into the upper 70’s with highs of 78 degrees being recorded. Activity has been up as the week progressed with both Bass species, Gills, Perch and Musky activity topping the charts.

Bluegill: Very Good – Depending on size and lake type, Gills providing great action in either 8-12’ cabbage or outside coontail edges of 14-18’ suspended 6-8’ down. Small leeches, Mini-Mites, 1” twisters all under small floats to set depth have been very effective. Lots of action with size! Poppers in the evening along inside weed lines producing on these warm nights.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Early AM for twitchbait action (Husky Jerks, X-Raps) on inside weed edges. Throughout mid-morning until early evening, Largemouth feeding heavily on crayfish (according to the puke in my boat). Working Wacky Worms, jig/creature, Sweet Beavers on Carolina rigs HOT! Evenings cast plastic frogs, spiders, jitterbugs and Whopper Ploppers over shallow weeds, lily pads or docks.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – Smallie action heating up with the water temps. Humps and bars with rock/gravel tops in 16-26’ producing nice big Smallies on drop-shot rigs and Ned rigs. Lots of 17-19” with plenty of 20-22” to make for some very memorable fights.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Nice Perch working cabbage flats taking 1/2 crawlers on weedless 1/16 oz jigs (orange, brown, red, green) as Perch feeding heavily on crayfish in same areas as Largemouth. Some anglers working Lindy style rigs baited with beavertails (small crawlers) and medium fatheads.

Musky: Good – Top-water action on Dr. Evils, Fat monkeybutts, Whopper Ploppers good early and late in the day. Bucktails have been best overall covering weed beds and outside edges. Some off-shore action reported by anglers using rubber baits and big blade baits over open water.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Some decent reports from anglers working 12-16’ weed edges with crawlers. Action inconsistent, but nice “eater” fish of 15-19” working weed perimeters. Flowage Eyes relating to wood. Slip-floats with crawlers or leeches. Trollers on large lakes reporting fish suspended 22-28’ down on cranks though mostly slot fish (20-24”), few eaters.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Best around deep weeds using Kalins Crappie Scrubs, Beetle spins or 2” twister tails to locate fish suspended 1-2’ below weed tops in 10-16’ of water. Work slip-float spread with Crappie minnows once active fish found.

Northern Pike: Fair-Poor – Action off for most anglers. Live bait (chubs/suckers) drug through heavy weeds on weedless jigs best. Some spinnerbait action reported, but bite off.

Looks like surface temps will start to slowly come down as air temp highs go from low 80’s to upper 60/low 70’s over the next week. Should see a continuation of the strong bites for Bass, Perch and Musky. Nothing in forecast looks worrisome.

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 08-14-23:

Starting to show some signs of a mid-August cool off. Water temps dropped into the low 70’s and certain weeds are just starting to fade. Patterns seem to be holding with some day-to-day changes relating to cooler nights and wind directions. Overall, should not be seeing much of a change with a warm spell on the way for the weekend, into next week.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Drop-shot rigs w/craw and 3” minnow imitations along coontail edges of 14-18’, as well as rock/gravel humps in 18-26’ producing well for Smallies in the 15-20” range.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Heavy cabbage in 8-12’ during the day using Wacky Worms has been outstanding. Top-water action has slowed with cool mornings, still good in evenings. Warm up this weekend will improve top-water bite.

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Work weed tops in 6-12’ with small tubes, Mini-Mites or switch to small leeches. Nice Gills of 7 1/2 – 9”+ this past week.

Yellow Perch: Good – Bite cooled off with drop in surface temp, but still good in heavy cabbage for nice 8-10”+ Perch or 1/2 crawlers/beavertails.

Musky: Good-Fair – Bucktail action best mornings and evenings, along with top-water. Cooler mornings slower, try twitchbaits or slower moving swimbaits.

Crappie: Fair – Finding fish hardest part. Work tall narrow leaf cabbage with small spinners or twister tails to locate fish. Work back with live minnows to entice reluctant fish.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Slight drop in water temp, changing wind brought building good bite to a halt mid-week. Best reports have been anglers using Shiver Minnows in depth of 22-30’ of soft mud along hard bottom breaks. Crawlers on spinner rigs drifted/trolled along same deep mud.

Northern Pike: Fair-Poor – “In the summer, Pike lose their teeth and don’t bite”! Old (fishermen’s) wife’s tale I’m starting to believe! Few reports.

The early part of this week has seen a continuation of late last week’s cool down. Bass seem to be OK with it, but other species off. Heat by weekend (temps to hit high 80’s to 90’s+) should improve some bites for most game fish. Rain this week is needed, low levels on most lakes and the Flowages.

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 08-22-23:

Following a cold morning (45 degrees), which brought about a small snap of color to the Northwoods, a few sugar maples have popped and other trees are showing a lighter shade of color. Air temps have risen since, keeping most lake surface temps in the low 70’s. Patterns have remained steady as anglers report fairly consistent action – be it good or bad.

Bluegill: Very Good-Good – Active over cabbage beds of 8-12’. A variety of lures including Mini-Mites, 1” twisters and 1/32 oz Beetle spins. Worms and Gulp Alive grubs and leeches also effective. Unless I missed it, should be a flying ant hatch very soon, fun for fly fishers to get a top-water bite going.

Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Active in weeds, same as Gills but lower in water column. 1/2 crawlers or medium fatheads best. Some very nice, 10-12” Perch in wood on Flowages (very low, be very careful)

Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Still best bite using Wacky Worms in cabbage flats. Twitching stickbaits, ticking weed tops with square billed cranks and evening top-water baits (Jitterbugs, Whopper Ploppers, etc.) good fun.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Rock/gravel humps and coontail edges of 14-18’ on Ned rigs and drop shot rigs using imitation craws and 3” Wacky Worms or 3” Gulp minnows. Nice 15-20” fish this past week.

Musky: Good – Top-water action on Dr. Evils, Whopper Ploppers, Pace Makers and bucktails worked over cabbage edges of 10-16’. Good action, not a lot of large fish reported.

Northern Pike: Fair – Chubs and suckers on jigs with light wire leaders. Some good action reported using spinnerbaits.

Walleye: Fair – Deeper mud of 20-26’ using shiver minnows on larger lakes. On smaller bodies of water and Flowages, try #5 Shad raps and #5 Flicker Shads worked over drowned wood producing, as is red tails on weedless jigs.

Crappie: Fair – Few reports, though some big slabs (to 15”) caught on cranks meant for Walleyes in 6-10’ wood.

A little cool down (though not as much as last week) followed by warm weather by weekend (into low 80’s) should keep fishing stable. Watch for cool down, when it arrives, to spur bite on.

An addendum to Kurt’s flying ant hatch… just off the pontoon and they were all over the place!!! Hoping to fish tomorrow after a trip to the land to change out cards looking at all of the velvet!!! Good fishing and be safe!!!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 08-29-23:

Another typically nice week of late August weather. Cool-ish nights and comfortably warm days. Patterns stayed fairly consistent as surface temps still range in the low to mid 70-degree mark.

Bluegill: Very Good – The flying ant hatch that I thought I missed happened last week. Gills (and other fish) were up at the surface gorging on ants. Good news to anglers that like to fish flies for Gills. But Gills being Gills, worms, waxies, tiny tubes, Mini-Mites, and 1” twister tails also worked well… and still are.

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Drop shot rigs w/3” Wackys, Gulp Alive minnows and small craw imitations along outside weed edges of 8-14’. Early and late work top-water lures on inside weed lines or over 4-6’ cabbage flats. Square lipped cranks over these flats also effective. Still good Wacky Worm action in heavy cover also.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – Gravel/rock humps (18-26’) and outside coontail edges of 14-18’ using drop shot methods, tube jigs, and football jigs tipped with 3” plastic craws. Some very healthy fish in the 17-21” class being caught. Check rock humps where Sculpin are gathering.

Yellow Perch: Good – Relating to heavy cabbage and drowned wood where they seem to be dining mostly on insects. Without leeches to be had, 1/2 crawlers or beavertails are the next best bet.

Northern Pike: Good – Action improving. Watch for signs of young of year Perch in shallows and use shallow running stickbaits (Thundersticks, Floating #5 Rapalas) or square lipped cranks for some fast, fun action. Action over cabbage flats has improved using chatterbaits and spinnerbaits.

Musky: Good – Top-water action best using Pacemakers, Whopper Ploppers, Fat monkeybutts and following up with the more subtle Flaptail. Bucktails and large spinnerbaits also producing. Suckers will work, but heat by Monday (90 degrees?) could be an issue.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Some transitioning to gravel/mud, but not much. Still finding Eyes relating to weeds (outside edges) taking redtails and crawlers. Watch for some early AM action in shallows chasing young of the year Perch. With temps going to 80’s/90’s by Mon/Tue doubt we’ll see the mud/gravel bite pick up too fast. (Except on the larger lakes!)

Crappie: Fair – Not a lot of reports, fish the deeper coontail edges of 14-18’. Look for suspended fish 6-8’ off bottom. Cast Kalin Crappie Scrubs over narrow leaf cabbage in 10-14’ to locate active fish high in the weed tops. Go back with the basic float and minnows if you find pods of fish.

Looks like a great weekend weather wise, almost too good (hot & sunny). Get out early or fish late and enjoy the Northwoods this weekend! Have a wonderful Labor Day holiday.

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 09-05-23:

As summer winds down, temps felt more mid-summer like with highs by Monday (9/4) hitting upper 90’s. Surface water temps surged up, cracking 80 degrees+ on many lakes. That’s quite a jump up from the upper 60’s of mid-week last. We actually had air temp lows in upper 30’s then! With a new front coming in 9/6 and forecasted highs not to crack 60 degrees until Friday after that, angler expectations are all over the board. We’ve seen some species biting better while others seem to have “moved out”.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – September is a time where it seems to be two separate locations to find Smallies. Numbers wise and some big fish are relating to gravel/rock humps. Look for these areas in 16-28’, using a drop-shot w/3” Wacky Worms, minnow imitations and craw imitations. Football jigs with smaller Sweet Beavers and other creature baits also effective. There also seems to be a small population of big Smallies that prefer to work the inside weed lines, mixed in with September Muskies, that love to attack top-water baits such as Whopper Ploppers, Buzzbaits and Topper Stoppers. These fish always are 18”+ fish, big tough guys who don’t mind hanging with the Skis.

Bluegill: Very Good – Actively working over weeds and around docks (perfect timing for Labor Day family fishing.) Nothing special, just worms, waxies or Mini-mites. Some larger Gills being caught around deeper weeds of 10-14’. Some even taking small minnows meant for Crappies.

Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Drowned wood and cabbage patches! Perch feeding on small crayfish and insects utilizing these areas taking beavertails, 1/2 crawlers and medium fatheads on light jigs or slip-floats in 6-10’.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Action improving! Despite heat bites building on gravel humps of 15-28’ (depending on lake) jigging/dragging 1/8 oz jigs tipped with crawlers, large fats or medium redtails. Jigging Shiver Minnows and Raps also producing.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Some of the action has slowed (could be with Musky controlling shallow weeds). Probing deeper weeds with Ned rigs, Ned craws, tubes and Wacky Worms producing. Still some good top-water evening action on frogs, buzzbaits on shallower lakes.

Musky: Fair-Good – With heat, most anglers laid off targeting due to the stress it would put these fish though. Early mornings using fast moving bucktails, top-water lures best. Those that did report fishing noticed action died off when temps started to rise mid-morning. Should improve with cooler weather by weekend.

Northern Pike: Fair – Not loving the heat this weekend. Should see a uptick in action as water cools by week’s end. Some reaction hits on chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, but best on live bait during heat.

Crappie: Fair? – Lots of anglers searching, but not much for lake action. Deep weeds best, but hard to locate. Some Flowage fish found near wood. Medium fatheads under slip-floats best.

The drastic change in temps from Monday (9/4) through Wednesday should make for a bit of a slow down on Thursday. Though the lower water temps shouldn’t be a big issue for anglers targeting Musky, Walleye, Smallies, Crappies, and Pike.

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 09-12-23:

A nice weekend for those fortunate enough to get out on the water. Cooling night time temps with comfortable daytime. Plenty of action from many species, good weather with good fishing – can’t be beat!

These first two fish species reports, I want to thank the WISCO Bass Anglers Single Series for helping out. 37 anglers registered 182 bass with 5 fish limits. Among the top ten contestants averaging 2 1/2 – 3 1/2# in weight.

Smallmouth Bass: Very Good – Lots of action as the mornings warmed. Tubes, drop-shots and Ned rigs for the bulk of the action. Lots of 14″-18” fish reported over the weekend with some bruisers to 21 1/2” boated. Mostly off shore humps and coontail edges, but some big fish up shallow!

Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Better as wind picked up each day. Reports of some big fish in lily pads. Fish to 5#’s. Top-water action good in shallows. Wacky Worms and jig/sweet beavers in weeds.

Bluegill: Very Good – Very nice Gills of 8-9 3/4” on crawler halves under floats in 7-9’. Mid-morning action picks up from colder early AM. Even picking up larger Gills on Crappie minnows meant for Crappies. With weeds still looking healthy, good time to capitalize on this bite!

Musky: Good-Very Good – Shallow weeds, 3-8’ working bucktails, swimbaits and top-waters (Dr. Evils, Pacemakers up front, follow up with anglers in back casting Flaptails or Hawg Wobblers). Evening, top-water best!

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Lake fish relating to cabbage and wood in 6-10’. Crawlers, medium fats on 1/16 oz weedless jigs or under slip-floats. Flowage fish scattered, working woody bottoms. Same methods, fewer, but larger fish (9-12”).

Northern Pike: Good – Cooling temps getting Pike in mood to chase. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, #3 and #4 Mepps Aglias, as well as 4” swimbaits, getting it done! Jigging or floating a big chub or sucker also nice way to spend a beautiful September afternoon.

Walleye: Good – Bite varies, but Walleyes active in both deep gravel/mud locations on Shiver Minnows and Jigging Raps, as well as working 1/8 or 1/4 oz jigs tipped with crawlers or large fatheads. Don’t give up on weeds yet. Also finding Walleyes in shallower (6-9’) weeds and wood.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Picking up as anglers targeting Crappies reporting action in afternoons casting small twisters (1″& 2”) on 1/32 oz & 1/16 oz jig heads. Kalin Crappie Scrubs, Mini Mites also picking up some nice slabs this weekend to 13+”!

Continued cool mornings (lows forecasted to hit 40) with mild warm ups to upper 60’s to 70 for the rest of the week should bode well. Water temps have dropped at the surface into the upper 60’s and fish activity should only improve from here 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 09-18-23:

Mid-September, early fall and so far, very typical of early fall. Lows in the 40’s highs upper 60’s to low 70’s. Surface water temps had dropped quickly last week from low 70’s to low 60’s, but have settled now into averages of 61-65 degrees.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – While most anglers reporting Smallies over rock/gravel bars in 20-30’ on drop-shot rigs, tubes, coontail edges with sandgrass lawns in 16-20’ also holding cruising Smallies. Some reports of very shallow, 3-8’, Smallies hitting X-Raps and Husky Jerks on overcast days.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Nice fish in heavy cabbage taking chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and shallow cranks.

Bluegill: Good – Large Gills this week (to 10” measured) taking 1/2 crawlers, small minnows and Mini-Mites in 7-10’ cabbage and drowned wood. Not summer numbers, but fewer and larger average.

Musky: Good – While mostly action on bucktails and top-water, some reports of gliders and jerks like Suicks and Smity Jerks with tails. Shallow water, 3-8’, for most action. Not a lot on suckers yet, water temps averaging 65 degrees, so that bite will be best once water cools a bit more.

Yellow Perch: Good – Nice Perch on medium fats or 1/2 crawlers on 1/16 oz weedless jigs around cribs and drowned wood.

Northern Pike: Good – Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and 4-5” swimbaits over 6-10’ weed beds producing nice Pike as they start to “fatten” up. Jig and chub/sucker combos also effective.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Frustratingly spotty at times. Fishing gravel/rock humps or 18-30’ using Shiver Minnows (2.5-3) and Jigging Raps (#7-#9) great way to pick up active fish. Work areas back with 1/8-1/4 oz jigs tipped with large fats, medium chubs or crawlers to pick up light biters.

Crappie: Fair – Surprisingly missing from most reports. Anglers targeting suspended Crappies finding fish drifting slip-bobbers with medium fats and trolling small cranks. Others targeting fish relating to drowned wood in 8-15’ reporting small jigs with 1-2” twister tails on soft minnow baits picking up fish.

This coming week’s forecast shows lows in low to mid-40’s but temps into mid-70’s for highs. Water temps probably won’t move much this week so I don’t expect a lot of change in fishing activity.

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 09-25-23:

Good fishing or poor, this is the time to be here in the Northwoods. The colors are getting prettier (never used that word in this report before) every day. Forecast for lows in mid-50’s to highs in mid-70’s will make for a great week to be outdoors.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Nice “green” Bass hitting spinnerbaits and chatterbaits for anglers targeting Pike. Cabbage flats holding best action. Typical plastic tactics using creatures and Wackys picking up fish along edges of weeds.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Nice fish off gravel humps in 14-26’. Ned rigs, drop-shots and tubes. Still some BIG Smallies relating to inside weed edges taking top-water (Whopper Ploppers, etc.).

Musky: Good – With water temps in mid-60’s and forecast as stated above, bucktails and top-water relatively shallow (4-10’) best. This bite will remain until water cools to mid-50’s (turn-over) so keep those blades a turnin’ for now!

Walleye: Good – Action very dependent on daily conditions (Thursday’s high skies – Ouch!). But overall fish being caught jigging large fats or 1/2 crawlers on 1/8 – 1/4 oz jigs or #2.5 – #3 Shiver Minnows over gravel humps. Some days, when gravel not producing, scale back to 1/16 oz weedless and hit outside weed edges to find eater Walleyes and Perch mixed.

Northern Pike: Good – Chasing down spinnerbaits, Mepps Aglias #4 or #5’s and chatterbaits over cabbage flats. Clear days pick through the weeds with jig and chub on wire leader.

Yellow Perch: Good – Very nice Perch relating to wood and weed pockets in 5-8’. 1/2 crawler 1st choice, but medium – large fats picking up Perch to 12” this past week.

Bluegill: Good – Nice Gills continue to show up, with measured 8-10” not uncommon. Can’t beat a crawler/bobber combo in 6-10’ where good green cabbage or drowned wood available.

Crappie: Good – Fair – This one really depends on who you talk to. Some decent catches reported, but not to the typical “fall” standard. The bobber/minnow crowd picking up some success, but other anglers fan casting small spinners, beetle spins finding fish suspended 5-8’ down over 20-25’ outside weed edges. Start up (where fish are typically active) and work down until you find biters!

Except for some early week rain, looks like a great week of consistent weather. Great time to enjoy the Northwoods.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-3-23:

Looks as if Mother Nature is going through the “Change”! You know, hot (10/1 – 88 degrees) to cold (10/5,6,7 – highs of upper 40’s, brrrr!) Short sleeves, sunburn, swatting flies to pull out the long johns! It’s that time of year, we should expect anything to happen.

Water temps, thanks to the heat of late, have risen into the mid-upper 60’s. Following a wet week, it’s hard to believe things didn’t cool off more. Once Saturday (9/30) mornings storm moved out, conditions have become very nice as people were seen taking advantage of what might have been the last “nice weekend”. We’ll see.

Bluegill: Good–Very Good – Sunny, warm weather following all that rain has the Gills fired up. Great catches of 7-9”, thick Gills with a few honest 10” measured to send off September. Crawlers and floats. Weeds of 8-12’ or available cribs or drowned wood.

Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Cabbage edges in the same 7-10’ depths as well as cribs or wood. Nice Perch to 12” taking 1/2 crawlers or medium fatheads on 1/16 oz jigs or under slip-floats.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Big bronze backs still hitting Whopper Ploppers and Choppo’s in shallow, 3-8’ depths. Twitchbaits (X-Raps, Husky Jerks) also producing in these areas. Nice, fat Smallies to 21” this past week.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Green weeds holding plenty of Largemouth. Wacky Worms, jig and Sweet Beavers as well as chatterbaits and spinnerbaits all producing well.

Crappie: Good – Lake fish still suspending outside weeds. Work from 5’ to as much as 15’ down outside coontail edges of 18-24’. Wood holding some fish. Medium fats, small jig/plastics and 1/16 oz beetle spins working best.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Not as much, as water warmed past couple days, but should pick up on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and 4-5” swimbaits this weekend.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Rain and overcast last week helped until lightening storm shut fishing down on Saturday (9/30). Still, Shiver Minnows (#2.5-#3), Jigging Raps (#7’s & #9), 1/4 oz – 3/8 oz jigs tipped with crawlers, fatheads or chubs along gravel/mud transitions in 18-30’. On flowages, fish light, weedless jigs with 3-4” redtail or black chubs through timber along river channels.

Musky: Good-Fair – Electric storm hurt, but still some good action on bucktails and top-water this past week. A few reports on sucker action, but with this weekend’s outlook for a sharp drop in highs (88 to 48) expect the sucker bite to get hot!

Fishing pressure on some species such as Bass and Gills will likely drop following the cold to come. On the other hand, Musky, Walleye, and for a while, Crappie action should pick up.

Colors still beautiful, with more to come. Bundle up and come see for yourself.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-10-23:

Looks as if we are into a typical October, unlike last year’s Augtober. Temps for the next two weeks forecasted to barely break fifty, mostly mid to upper 40’s. Lows in the mid-30’s to lower 40’s. We lost, on average, 8-10 degrees of surface temp since last week’s highs of 68 degrees, getting close to turn-over time on some lakes by this weekend. With these temps and the focus on certain fall species, the report is as follows…

Musky: Good-Very Good – With water temps dropping, the sucker bite has picked up. Fish still relatively shallow on suckers (8-14’). With all the wind (and rain) the top-water bite seemed to have fallen off (when turn-over hits I typically put them away) but bucktails were still scoring in water as shallow as 3’! Report from guide Jake Smith holding a low 40” fish caught on a Smity Large Jointed Crank, just this am (10/10) with reports of surface temp at 56 degrees shows just how close we are to turn-over. It will be gliders, jerks, twitches and suckers this weekend!

Walleye: Good-Fair – With noticeable thermoclines on many lakes about to break (due to turn-over) Walleye locations that have been relating to gravel/mud transitions of 18-30’ could break open into deeper depths. So far chubs and suckers on 1/4 – 3/8 oz jigs or fished Lindy rig style as well as Shiver Minnows and Jigging Raps have produced. Some Walleyes weed related, but could change for a while after turn-over. Check out deep mud of 30-40’, but be slow on presentation and especially bringing up fish from such depths. Flowage Walleyes relating to wood, but all are low. Even the Turtle Flambeau Flowage is lower than usual.

Crappie: Good-Fair – While some anglers on lakes have been reporting nice catches of very shallow cabbage 3-6’, using 1” Berkley Gulp Alive Minnows, that bite will probably peter out with cold. Drowned wood, cribs have been holding Crappies for anglers using medium fatheads.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Active with cooler temps. Mepps #4 spinners, spinnerbaits and live chubs or suckers on jigs. Keep eye on bays with green weeds of 6-10’

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Relating to outside weed edges taking medium fats or 1/2 crawlers on slip-float rigs or 1/16 oz weedless jigs.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Gravel humps of 18-30’. Ned rigs, drop-shot rigs with 3” Gulp Minnows producing some decent catches.

Bluegill and Largemouth – No report

With turn-over approaching, anglers should not be afraid to continue fishing here in the Northwoods. All lakes don’t turn at the same time and there are always lakes that don’t (too shallow – less than 24’ or Flowages with moving water that won’t stratify) or haven’t (large lakes take longer).

It’s definitely sucker time for you Musky anglers. Action typically best when water is in 50’s to low 60’s so take advantage.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-16-23:

At the halfway point of October, conditions are about as normal as we used to see for this time of year. Most lakes have, or are in midst of turn-over. Lake surface temps checked over the past four days have ranged from as low as 48 degrees to a more average 53-55 degrees. This has scattered certain species of fish as is to be expected, other species have picked up the pace.

Due to rough weather, mostly wind and cold, few species were targeted this past week.

Musky: Good-Very Good – The sucker bite is under way in a big way! A recent Musky “challenge” had 40 Musky recorded in one day with 90% of the fish boated on suckers. Jerk baits and jointed cranks scored the rest. With most lake temps running 53-55 degrees, there was still a surprisingly shallow bite, some as shallow as 2-3’. On small, but deep lakes, Skies found suspended 15-20’ down in 25-35’ of water.

Walleye: Fair – Very scattered following turn-over. Be ready to check a lot of spots. Live bait on jigs/Lindy rigs out producing jigging Raps and Shiver Minnows right now. Gravel, rock, mud – depth of 16-35’ or more. Be patient and willing to move.

Crappie: Fair – Wind made holding position tough. Crappies on lakes also scattered. Flowage fish relating to river channel wood.

With forecast of lows in 40’s to highs in mid-50’s should keep lake temps holding into low 50’s. Good enough to pattern some good fall fishing for the 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 10-24-23:

Working through the last quarter of October. Still a lot of leaves from the birch and poplar on trees giving a golden hue to the landscape. Lake temps have leveled off in the 48–52 degree range. Fishing pressure has been light again as the forecast seems to have kept anglers off the lakes, though conditions once again were not as bad as predicted.

Musky: Good – Not as good as expected for this time of year. Still some fish being caught very shallow (3-5’) using jerkbaits (Suicks) and jointed cranks! While others being found out past existing weeds in 18-30’ of water taking live suckers, heavy gliders (Smitty Dogs) and rubber (Madussa). Not a lot of follows seen or reported. While others were surely caught, largest reported was by Kurt Blaiser of St. Germain with a 48” on a Smity rigged sucker.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – While most reports coming from anglers targeting Walleyes, it’s been hard to ignore the reports of Smallies feeding on gravel humps in 18-30’ of water. Most caught on chubs and jigs, but drop-shotting 3” Gulp Alive Minnows, ¼ oz tubes also effective. Though tops was a 6# fish caught on a Suick while Musky fishing.

Walleye: Good – Deep gravel humps and some transition mud best using chubs or large fatheads. Depths of 18 to as deep as 40’. Caution pulling fish over 27+ feet advised. Short hook set and slow retrieve.

Crappie: Fair – Bite slowed as did # of anglers targeting. On afternoons when sun came out, bite improved using medium fatheads.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Not many, though the few that were caught ran large (17-20”) and heavy. Green cabbage in 8-12’ when found.

Forecast has highs in upper 50’s with rain through Friday (10/27) then falling through the weekend. Lows in the low 20’s with highs from Sunday (10/29) through Tuesday (10/31) to go 38 to 31 degrees. Six cold mornings from 10/28 to 11/2 will bring temps well down into the 40’s by the weekend of November 4th. Time for the (Fool?) Hardy!

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 10-31-23:

Ending October with 3” of snow in Arbor Vitae. Yesterday’s (10/30) low at launch, 18 degrees. Surface temps averaging 47-48 on 10/30. Despite cold and wind, anglers still fishing for Musky, Walleye and to a lesser extent, Smallmouth and Crappies.

***UPDATE*** Kurt’s on the water this morning (10/31) guiding and finding surface temps as low as 44.5 degrees.

Musky: Fair – Bite seems off from most reports. Not a lot of opportunities and even fewer boated. While suckers have been best, working twitchbaits (Cranes, Grandma’s) and gliders (Smity Jerks and Phantoms) in water 8-14’ moving some fish. Hold boat out in 15-20’ and cast into shallower weeds

Walleye: Fair – Not many reports. But of those gathered nice fish in 27-37’ of water on chubs or suckers.

Smallmouth Bass: Fair – Taking the higher ground with Walleyes deeper. Fish gravel/rock in 18-28’ using similar baits as for Walleye.

Crappie: Fair – The few anglers targeting finding Crappies over cribs using medium fatheads in 12-16’

With forecast mostly showing lows in the 20’s, most highs in mid-30’s with a couple of days cracking the low 40’s (mostly this coming weekend, 11/3-11/5) expect surface temps to crawl down into low to mid-40’s. Live bait and slow retrieves the key. Rod guides and reels freezing up, bring extra reels! Warm clothes, gloves, hats and tall boots to access landings with no docks.

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 11-06-23:

Things seem right on track for a typical November, something not seen for a couple seasons. Colds last week, with a couple mornings hitting 10-13 degrees, produced ice on shallow ponds, bays and shoreline ice on some launches. Most lake surface temps registered as low as 42 to 46 degrees, though one report of 49 degrees on a deep lake with lots of surface area to cool.

Musky: Fair-Good > For this time of year. Action slow, but size better. Fish caught holding more weight than earlier in fall, looking “swollen”! Suckers by far producing the most hits, but even those some times just pick up and drop. Not sure if the tentative hits are due to lack of interest or are they getting slightly educated. Don’t believe Musky have memories like us, but have seen late season fish “corral” suckers for quite a while. Fish with noticeable marks, so I know we had caught a couple weeks earlier, but wouldn’t commit to a November Sucker! Still others grabbing hold. Seems depths of 20-30’ popular for anglers throwing Grandmas, Rubber Baits and big gliders. Some shallow weed fish still being caught on Jerks and twitchbaits.

Walleye: Fair-Good – Not a lot of anglers targeting. Those that are using chubs or suckers along deeper gravel/mud transitions. Drowned wood on flowages holding Walleyes as well

Not much else on the fishing front to report. With the deer rut in full swing, grouse and duck hunting still going on, outdoorsmen’s attentions are divided. With forecast of low in 20’s, but highs in the low 50’s next Tuesday-Friday, don’t expect any ice reports soon. Keep those Musky rods ready.

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

Mark

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 11-13-23:

With most outdoors people thinking gun deer season opener coming up, not a lot of anglers hitting the water. Those that did were finding surface temps of 40-44.5 degrees on average. Yet following last week’s cold snap, with ice forming on shallow ponds and bays had anglers thinking “Early Ice”! Now, with forecasts of highs in the 50’s (57 for 11/16) don’t expect it to cool off fast enough for “Deer stands and tip-ups” this year.

Musky: Good – Actually fair to great depending on the day and the angler. One angler boated three Muskies of 42, 48 and 49 ¾” on Saturday (11/11). That’s an incredible feat, let alone single handed? While suckers have scored the majority of the Skies caught, rubber baits have put some fish in the net also. Unlike the angler with the 3-fish day, most anglers happy to get one opportunity as the colder water has fish slowing down. That particular day (11/11) had several reports of multi-opportunities (figures I was in the shop all day)!

Did see some anglers baiting up for a final shot at Walleye as it warmed Saturday. Expect a few more as those who haven’t put their boats away will want to take advantage of the warm spell.

Deer opener this Saturday (11/18). Rut starting to wind down, wish we had some snow (didn’t need it last week). May see some 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 11-20-23:

Open water season is winding down. With the onus on gun deer this past weekend, fewer anglers out on the water. Despite unseasonably warm days last Wed/Thurs, temps below freezing for mornings cooling things down further. Surface temperature readings ranged from 38-43 this past week, ice forming on edges, small bays and pond. Be very careful at boat landings that are being used, ice building up fast on black topped launches.

Musky: Good – Not a numbers game this time of year, but some fish being caught! While striking out my last trip of the year (11/19), did talk to a young angler on the same lake that boated a 46” on a Bulldawg and lost a second during the last hour before dark. A few other reports of Skis between 42 & 47” this past week. Mix of lures (mostly rubber) and suckers.

Suckers getting harder to find but still available. Call your favorite, local bait shop (us?) ahead of time to check availability. It’s legal to fish Musky by open water or land through December now, but not legal to use ice as a base, so watch for specific ice lake reports in the coming weeks.

Walleye: Good – Very few targeting, but those that are finding fish in deeper pockets or along transition zones in 24-34’ of water (some deeper). Jiggin Vibrato’s, Jigging Raps and Shiver Minnows producing. On shallower lakes and Flowages, fishing 10-14’ depth using black chubs, suckers or large fathead putting Walleyes in the boat. Slow dragging these baits producing better than slip-bobbers. 2”-3” bullheads found in these fish, makes sense for the slow, low presentation needed.

Could see (possibly?) some fishable ice early next week. Lows in teens for 8 of the next 10 mornings starting 11/22, should start locking things up. With highs of only 32-34 degrees 4 of those 10 days, time to dust off your tip-ups.

Mark your calendars for our 14th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza Dec 1st, 2nd and 3rd. More deals than ever before on shacks, electronics, rods, reels, clothing and boots! Call ahead and order a flip over shack, custom built (hyfax other accessories) for the Ice Fishing Extravaganza only. Pick up during show and SAVE set-up fee, SAVE time and SAVE Frustration!

If you are signed up on our Big Buck Contest, be sure to bring your deer in to get in on the board. Remember, the smallest deer gets a share of the pot as well.

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 12-05-23:

Off to a great early ice fishing season in the Lakeland area. Ice on smaller lakes and bays have reports of 4-6” of ice. Light snow, but not enough to hinder ice production when overnights got down into the low teens over the weekend. Anglers getting after it and reporting great success as the early ice has been a relief following a poor gun deer season.

Walleye: Excellent – Walleyes very active. This is a great time to hone your jigging skills as Walleyes reportedly chasing raps and spoons 4-6’ off the bottom, at times 3-4 fish at a time. Most of this action occurring 1 ½ hours pre-dawn as well as the hour either side of dusk in 5-8’ of water. Tip-ups of course scoring using suckers and shiners. But for some “reel” fun, try some jigging for these early ice season Walleye.

Northern Pike: Excellent – Also very active! Most anglers finding success with large, lively bait on tip-ups and Jaw Jackers! That same 5-8’ depths with good weed cover. Don’t be shy to hang ‘em high! Big Pike reported with a 38 ½” St. Germain fish tops, but an equally impressive 37” caught by 10 yr old local legend Elija also iced. Not many do it, but also a great time to jig big pimples or large jigging raps for the Pike. Great fun on a rod and reel.

Crappies: Good – Where and when you can find. Most reports from anglers working shallow green weeds in 6-10’. One report from anglers tip-down fishing in 25’ not able to keep up with 3 lines. Finesse not as important with early ice and good oxygen levels. Minnows or spoons tipped with waxies best.

Bluegills: Good – Most reports are of #’s, but feeling is as anglers get out on the less pressured waters we will hear more on size. The new Clam Tikka Flash has been a surprise hit on these aggressive Gills and Crappies in the smallest size. Otherwise, grubs, spikes and the old reliable teardrop is hard to beat early like this.

Not much for a Perch or Bass report, some being caught.

With such great action, don’t throw caution to the wind. Spud your way across new ice, carry safety spikes, rope and wear floatation jackets or carry a floating cushion. We do have a 24-30 hour or so stretch of above freezing temps (32-45 degrees) before things cool off by Saturday (12/9). Shouldn’t be enough to hurt, just enough to take snow cover off and require cleats to get around.

Upcoming Tournaments
Jan 6th – 73rd Annual Rib Lake Area Ice Fishing Contest – Rib Lake
Jan 6th – 16th Annual NCO Club & AMVETS Post 724 Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Nokomis

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 12-11-23:

Things got a little wet and slippery for a while on the ice as the warm up late last week melted off the light snow from the early part of the week. That was OK, we didn’t lose ice just that annoying snow cover. Unfortunately, more snow came in with the drop in temps to cover things back up. Fishing was fair to good overall, not at all like the previous week, but rarely do we see action that good.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Jigging raps and spoons still taking fish, just not as aggressive of a bite as earlier. Tip-ups with medium golden shiners or river shiners still scoring in that 6-10’ of green weeds. Pre-dawn and dusk best.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – Big shiners and suckers on tip-ups tops. Anglers using Jaw Jackers baited with the same having fun catching on rod and reel. No big Pike reports this week, but plenty of eaters.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Liking the warm up last week. Flags flying for anglers using medium shiners on tip-ups for Pike. Plenty others caught by Bluegill and Crappie anglers.

Bluegill: Good-Fair – Tentative at times, lots of talk of “lookers” but not biting. When this happens best to go small. Try a 2.5 mm tungsten tipped with a single red spike or smidge of plastic. An active presentation draws them in, but once they show up on your locator or camera its best to go small and slow.

Crappies: Fair – Once again, cautious bite. While Crappie minnows had been the preferred bait last week, a switch to a smaller, more subdued presentation was needed by the weekend. One exception was anglers fishing deeper water, 20-25’, there tip-downs with small minnows best.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Not being targeted, but incidental catches by Crappie and Gill anglers.

Looks as if this cool/warm pattern will persist through Christmas Day. Luckily the warm just takes the top layer (snow) down, then cold (teens 12/11) firms things back up. Unfortunately, the cold we need to really build a nice base (12-15”) isn’t in the forecast for the next two weeks. Walking and checking are safest forms of travel for now, most reports of ice thickness range 3 ½-6”, some North (South facing) shorelines thinner.

Upcoming Tournaments
Jan 6th – 73rd Annual Rib Lake Area Ice Fishing Contest – Rib Lake
Jan 6th – 16th Annual NCO Club & AMVETS Post 724 Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Nokomis

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 12-18-23:

The continued mild December has stretched out this “early” ice bite. By now we would expect 10-12+” of ice that would push much of the bite deeper, instead we seem to be holding in the 4-7” range. The five days of below freezing prior to Thursday (12/14) firmed and maybe added an inch to the ice. The weekend’s warmth and wind took back whatever we gained plus opened lakes such as Trout, Fence and Tomahawk. Doesn’t’ look like any real cold until the 1st of the year.

This continued pattern of mild weather is playing havoc on anglers wanting to drive on the ice (though there is some ATV traffic on lakes of 6-8” of ice) and things don’t look good for snowmobilers. If ice fishing is your thing, this should be a good time to come up and get on the ice, tourism traffic will be lighter than usual as chances of a “White” Christmas look pretty slim.

Walleye: Very Good – Action peaked again by Saturday night (12/16) as Walleye activity increased and nice catches reported. Jigging raps, spoons once again providing good bites on active fish, reports of Eyes moving up 3-4’ off bottom to hit artificials. Tip-up with shiners (weeds) or suckers (wood, mud) producing nice, plump 15-19” “eaters” with some 20+” overs being released. Nice job anglers, those are our future.

Crappies: Very Good – Reports picked up nicely as anglers catching nice 10-13” fish from both weeds of 6-9’ and from basins in 20-25’. Plastics or grubs on wobbling rocker style spoons, as well as tip-downs with Crappie minnows all producing. Good reports still on the new Tikka Flash lures tipped with spikes.

Northern Pike: Very Good – Flags flying for anglers using big shiners in 6-13’ of waters. Nice fish into the lower 30” range reported.

Bluegill: Good-Very Good – Following a couple days of reluctant bites, Gills turned on by weekend. Mostly in 5-8’ weeds, nice Gills of 7-8 ½”. Now is the time, before ice thickens, to find Gills active in the shallower bays.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Jigging “fry” shaped jigs and spoons loaded with waxies or minnow heads, tip-downs with fats or tip-ups with medium shiners producing good action for anglers on Largemouth, whether or not that’s their target.

Yellow Perch: Good – Larger Perch (9-11+”) being caught roaming shallow cabbage of 5-8’. Not schools, but small groups of 3-5 fish. Medium fatheads, small shiners on tip-downs or tip-ups. Fry shaped jigs (Forage Fry, Tikka Flash) loaded with waxies also scoring.

With ice reports still varying from 4-7” (with a few 8” reports from further north and bays on flowages) caution still advised. Today’s snow (2-6” further north) probably won’t stay much past the weekend with highs in mid to upper-30’s, but should shield the ice from losing thickness. High wind blowing bulk of snow off ice, use caution on windward shorelines where snow drifts could hide and insulate poor ice.

Upcoming Tournaments
Jan 6th – 73rd Annual Rib Lake Area Ice Fishing Contest – Rib Lake
Jan 6th – 16th Annual NCO Club & AMVETS Post 724 Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Nokomis
Feb 10th – 22nd Annual Plum Lake Ice Fishing Tournament – Plum Lake

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 12-26-23:

Tough report to write, but we are on thin ice here Anglers!
Fishing on many of the common spots are finding 4 to 5 inches of ice (December 26) but some areas as little as 2 inches and with forecast holding from mid 40s to low 30s by tomorrow morning, I can’t foresee fishable ice lasting much past today. With no sign of freezing temps till Thursday night (December 28), for just a couple hours and no extended freeze till midnight Friday, (December 29). Ice Fishing looks to be on hold till the better part of the weekend.
It’s a shame, people have time off, no snow for skiing and snowmobiling and fishing has been very good.

So, as not to rub salt in the wounds, nor look like I’m trying to encourage reckless behavior. I’ll just report that fishing overall had been very good for just about all species prior to this Christmas thaw!
My suggestion is to take this time to go over your ice equipment. Safety pics, creepers, float suits. Get new line on those jig poles and tip-ups if needed. Sort through your jig box and get ready for the “second” early ice season!

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

Mark