Minocqua Area Report – 2024

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 01-01-24:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Welcome to 2024!!!

We’re slowly sliding back into a “second” early ice season. Despite warnings to the contrary, some anglers got out on the ice and continued to fish. Things got dicey with shorelines pulling out 1-2’ from banks (some even further), some open water Musky fishing and water skiing was also witnessed (Trout Lake). But as nights have gotten colder (and the days since 12/30) ice is firming up and slowly building. It would be nice to get some sub-zero temps, but the forecast only shows teens for the first 12 days of 2024.

Walleye: Good-Very Good – Most reports on tip-ups using suckers and shiners as anglers not willing to do as much hole jumping with jigging raps, rattlin raps and hyper glides. Not that jigging hasn’t been working, it has for those willing to do, but the less walking on 3-4” of spongy ice the better. Nice catches before dusk and pre-dawn, still most in 6-12’ weeds.

Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – Nice catches using large suckers and river shiners. Nothing out of the usual, live green weeds in 5-10’ best. Nice fish to 36” reported this past week with the best, a 38” caught and released on Friday (12/29).

Crappies: Good-Very Good – This species being found actively biting (except 12/28) in both weeds and in open basins. The basins have not been as accessible due to thinner ice (2”) so most activity has been weed related. Tip-downs with Crappie minnows or small rosies, as well as rocker style jigs with white, pink and yellow plastics. Jigs with blades such as Lethal Cecils and Tikka Flash tipped with waxies also producing well!

Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Not typically targeted, but moving the needle in a big way! Several reports of Bass in the 18-20”+ range caught and released by anglers using medium shiners on tip-ups, as well as those jigging spoons tipped with waxies or minnow heads. The warm temps always seem to bring out the best in Largemouth activity, with no real “cold” days on the forecast, expect good action to continue.

Yellow Perch: Good – Anglers looking for Gills finding Perch in 6-10’ weed flats taking #3 tungsten jigs tipped with spikes or waxies. No jumbos being reported but nice eaters in the 8-9 ½” range. Also picking some up on tip-downs baited with minnows for Crappies.

Bluegill: Good – Once past Thursday’s high-pressure system, Gills once again biting well on small, dark jigs (black, red, green) tipped with red spikes or dark colored plastics. While most attention is spent in weeds of 5-10’, a few anglers (where ice is thick enough) finding suspended Gills in 20-25’ basins.

Thankfully, no reports, that I’ve heard of locally, of people breaking through the ice. While things will be getting better from here on out for a while, caution is still advised. Most ice reports have gone from 2-4” mid-week up to the 3-5” mark, some small lakes with 6”. Can’t recommend vehicle travel of any kind. Creepers are essential for safely walking and safety spikes and flotation suits or throw cushions still a must. Looks like we will be getting our ice back, not quickly, but enough to have an ice fishing season.

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 01-09-24:

Ice continues to build here in the Northwoods. We have been fortunate to be just north of the heavy snow falling on the lower ¾’s of the state, this will keep the insulation off the lakes up here and allow more ice to build.

Walleye: Very Good-Good – Low light level times best using shiners amongst cabbage flats of 8-12’ in the mornings. Switch to outside weed edges (12-16’), off-shore humps of gravel/rock using suckers on tip-ups or jigging Raps, Rippin Raps, Z-Darters or Tikka Minnows towards and right after dusk.

Crappie: Very Good-Good – Better reports from anglers fishing basins of 22-27’ using tip-downs baited with rosies or crappie minnows or jigging Kenders T-Rips, Kastmaster spoons or Clam Tikka Flash tipped with waxies. For Crappies still holding in weeds (10-14’ Narrow leaf cabbage), Little Cecil spoons, Euro Tackle Z-Vibers, Kenders K-Rips and tip-down/minnow set ups all working well.

Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Lots of good action and some nice Pike in the 8-12’ of weeds. Big shiners and suckers as per usual with fish to 34” reported this weekend. A pair of anglers jigging Raps and Chubby Darters on thin wire leaders reported fun action working baits at weed tops in 8-10’.

Bluegill: Good – While most reports were of good numbers, but lots of sorting for size, a few anglers did better by leaving the crowds behind. Most action in 8-12’ weeds using #3 and #4 tungsten jigs tipped with waxies, spikes and the rare moussee. Others finding BIG Gills (10-11”) over mud basins in 20-25’ of water using small tungsten jigs with hair, tipped with moussees. Anglers targeting these big Gills using select harvest (and sneaky approaches) to maintain these populations of such special fish.

Yellow Perch: Good – While not the numbers (or the effort), nice Perch (9-11”) in shallow weed flats of 6-9’ on jigs shaped like small Gills (Z-Vibes, K-Rips, T-Rips) tipped with waxies. Also a few reports of Perch starting to show over mud (14-18’) on wigglers presented on Hali style spoons.

Largemouth Bass: Good – Temps above 20 degrees seem to be best for Largemouth. Some very nice fish to 20” caught this past week, mostly by anglers targeting Pike or panfish in 6-12’ weeds.

Smallmouth Bass: Good – Rarely seen in the winter, but providing some added fun for anglers, especially those jigging for Walleyes over gravel/rock humps. Fun on a jig rod.

With light snow and cold temps ice thickness is coming along nicely. Most anglers reporting 6-8”+. We are seeing more ATV, UTV and snowmobile use on the lakes. Still use caution on the big lakes (Fence, Trout, Big Crawling Stone, Tomahawk) as these were still open just two weeks ago and are just now getting 2-4”’s of ice reports.

While snow is still a concern at this stage, forecast show temperature lows below zero and highs in the single digits for Sunday (1/14) thru Wed (1/12) that should put some nice finishing touches on our lakes and get us into the 12” plus range by the following weekend.

Upcoming Tournaments
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 01-16-24:

Don’t look now, but winter is here! Halfway through January and the cold and snow has finally arrived. Here, up North, the snow wasn’t too much, 3-4” of light stuff. The cold and windchill on the other hand is substantial. Temps in the double digits below zero at night and wind chills of 20-30 below kept a lot of anglers off the ice by Saturday (1/13). Prior to that, fishing was very good, especially Friday before the front hit. Ice conditions are improving fairly rapidly with the sub-zero temps. As much as this weekend hurt, it will only make things better for the remainder of January into February.

Crappie: Very Good-Poor – Reports on Thurs/Fri (1/11-12) were hot! Anglers could do no wrong working basin Crappies in 22-30’ of water 3-5’ off the bottom. Small flashy spoons (Kastmasters, Flash Champs, Bull Spoons) as well as #3 Ultralight Rippin Raps, T-Rips and Tikka Flash lures, even not “scented up” with bait were being inhaled. Once the storm hit, that bite, along with angler participation shut down. There is still a portion of the Crappie population holding in 9-14’ weeds that are taking slow dropped plastics or grubs.

Northern Pike: Very Good-Poor – As with the other fish, Pike had been active. Weeds in 5-10’ were holding Pike, but even this bite shut down with the front. As always, big shiners and suckers on tip-ups.

Walleye: Very Good-Poor – Bite here started to slip mid-week, only to get a bump Friday morn (1/12) before really closing down. Expect more fish to move out deeper as ice thickens and rely on typical off shore humps and even some down in mud basins to feed. Suckers usually do better in these instances as well as jigging Raps.

Yellow Perch: Good-Poor – Starting to show up more in catches as more anglers moving out over mud in 15-25’. Wigglers on pimples, Kastmasters, Hallis and bull spoons. Still some nice weed fish in 5-12’ taking tiny Bluegill shaped lures, K-Rips, T-Rips and Tikka Flash. The bite also died, but should pick up this coming weekend.

Bluegill: Good-Poor – Just like everything else on report, was good, then slammed shut. Weed fish in 5-12’ on tear drop style jigs baited with waxies and mousses. Some nice Gills being found over mud basins of 15-25’ on heavier tungsten jigs tipped with spikes or mousses.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Poor – Once temps get much below 20 degrees LMB seem to bite less. Very few anglers target anyways, but they are a fun mix to anyone jigging and tip-up fishing weeds.

Getting reports of anglers finding 8-9” of ice as of early yesterday morning (1/15). Not only that, but the bite was surprisingly good (Wife filled the bird feeders twice!) So even though I doubted the mental capacity of those going out in that cold and wind, I don’t doubt that the fish bit as the barometer rose. With more lows in single below zero temps and not cracking teens for high until Saturday, we should see plenty of 10-13” of ice (to be on the conservative side) by the weekend.

Upcoming Tournaments
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 01-23-24:

With the number of sub-zero nights we had last week, several in negative teens, we disappointedly did not get all the ice I thought for sure we would have by now. Seems what snow we did get from the previous “storm” (3-4”) was enough to insulate the lakes and slow ice production.

I conservatively predicted 10-12” by last Fri/Sat. Unfortunately, most reports were of 7-10” (I found 9” on two separate lakes) with a few well-trodden lakes supporting up to 12-12 ½”. There were even reports of open water last week on Trout, Tomahawk, Fence, Big Crawling Stone and an open rift from Rock Island to North Bay on the Willow Flowage. Some of these areas froze over during last Thursday’s cold, windless morning (1/18), but should still be traveled with extreme caution.

Northern Pike: Poor-Good – A few nice fish reported over the weekend following days of very few anglers out due to cold. Tip-ups with large shiners or suckers, no real secrets here, work weed beds of 6-12’ with green weeds.

Crappie: Fair-Good – Very small windows of activity. Best over basins of 22-30’ of water. Small Kastmasters, Pinhead jigs, Tikka Flash and T-Rips tipped with waxies. Fish spotted suspended 4-8’ off bottom, selective bite. If not interested in above spoons, drop small (#3) tungsten jigs w/hair and single spike to coax bites. With warm up on the way, tip-downs with small minnows should do better.

Bluegill: Poor-Fair – Lots of “lookers”. Barometer must have fish “spooky” as lots of reports of fish on the screen, but not biting. Tiny jigs (#2.5 Fiskas, #12 Rockers) in dull finishes tipped with single red or colored spike teased some bites. As the week moves on and temps warm, expect better action in weeds of 6-10’ but also look for suspended Gill over sandgrass or mud in 18-26’.

Yellow Perch: Poor-Fair – Like Gills, two places to find. Weed fish in 6-10’ taking Northland Forage Minnows and Z-Vibes loaded with waxies. Also, the mud flat bite is slowly, but surely, picking up as a few anglers are reporting some action over mud basins of 20-30’ using Halis tipped with wigglers or red spikes. Bang the mud to create a disturbance and watch closely on your flasher for Perch to move in.

Largemouth Bass: Poor-Fair – A few reports over the weekend as temps got into mid-teens. Watch as this species will get active as weather warms. Medium shiners on tip-ups, Jiggin Raps and Rippin Raps in the cabbage of 6-10’.

Walleye: Poor-Fair – Bite fell off during week, started to slowly pick up by weekend. Most bites at dusk over sandgrass or along deep weed edges as Walleyes move up for the night. Walleye suckers, medium river shiners on tip-ups. A few reports of Walleye taking #3 Jiggin Raps fished over sandgrass of 16-18’ on 1/21, two hours before dusk.

Super cold, super high pressure, super low pressure and the dreaded east-southeast wind all seemed to put a damper on this past week’s bite. Things looking up as the forecast shows milder temps and more westerly winds. No major cold to help with what has to be the least amount of ice we’ve seen in the Northwoods this late in the season.

As stated, expect to find 7-10” averages (some as little as 4” others to 12”) with 1-2” of slush between the ice and 3” of snow. Snowmobiles and ATV use has been fine so far, some UTV where ice 8”+, but definitely no trucks, don’t risk your life or anyone else’s! Wise to keep a float suit or life preserver on if venturing out to unknown or big water.

Upcoming Tournaments
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 01-23-24:

What a month for mid-winter. Typically, by the end of January, we would see 30-34” of ice and at least a foot or more of snow. This year, as January winds down to its end, we are looking at 7-12” of ice (as little as 4-5” on Trout) and no real snow, just slush (1-4”). Fishing, though typically tougher in mid-winter, seems to be holding its own. Sure we’re seeing a drop-off in action, as is the norm, but the lack of snow cover and lack of ice thickness, allowing more light for remaining aquatic plants to produce oxygen, is helping some with activity.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Pike action picked up as the week went on. Nothing special here, big shiners and suckers attracting the biggest fish.

Crappie: Fair-Good – May be due to the lack of ice, but there seems to continue to be a two “story” fishery. Anglers fishing green, tall narrow leaf cabbage in 10-12’ slow dropping Lethal Cecils, Shrimpos and rockers tipped with waxies. At the same time, a large portion of the Crappie population suspending over deeper basins in 22-30’ of water. Clam Pinheads, Tikka Flash as well as #4 glow tungsten jigs tipped with waxies. In both areas, tip-downs with small rosies or regular Crappie minnows doing well.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Perch seem to be concentrating together in deeper water. Gold or glow Kastmasters, Pimples and Halis tipped with wigglers (when available) best over mud of 20-30’. Shallower flats (12-18) seem to have smaller fish in most cases. Anglers finding some Perch in broad leaf cabbage flats of 7-10’ using Bluegill shaped jigs tipped with waxies.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Liking the warm weather, LMB showing up on tip-ups and jigging spoons in and along weed flats.

Bluegill: Fair-Good – Gill catches vary. Several days last week, Gills (and other species) were “present” but not biting except for small windows of time, usually just an hour before dusk. Things improving as we seem to be moving away from full moon phase.

Walleye: Poor-Good – With green weeds still present in depths of 8-12’ – good places to set up tip-ups with medium shiners just before dusk. Humps sporting sandgrass or rock bringing fish in the evenings as well.

Overall fishing picking up from the lows of the previous week. Not first ice good, but probably better than most end of January.

Forecast have 14 straight days of temps above freezing (34-45 degrees) with all but two nights with temps below (23-27 degrees). We won’t make ice during this time, but shouldn’t lose either. The tops of most lakes have slush ranging from 1-4”. On some lakes the water has drained off. Either way, water proof (rubber) boots, cleats, picks and floatation gear should be part of your “attire”. With some luck and a little cold we can have a full February of ice fishing in the Northwoods.

Only five weekends remain of the inland gamefish season, so make the most of it!

Upcoming Tournaments
Feb 10th – 22nd Annual Plum Lake Ice Fishing Tournament – Plum Lake
Feb 17th – Lake Tomahawk Family Fisheree – Lake Tomahawk
Feb 24th – 3rd Annual Newbold Fire Dept Ice Fishing Tournament – Muskellunge Lake
Mar 2nd – KISS Annual High School Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Minocqua

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sports Shop – Like us on Facebook

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 01-30-24:

What a month for mid-winter. Typically, by the end of January, we would see 30-34” of ice and at least a foot or more of snow. This year, as January winds down to its end, we are looking at 7-12” of ice (as little as 4-5” on Trout) and no real snow, just slush (1-4”). Fishing, though typically tougher in mid-winter, seems to be holding its own. Sure we’re seeing a drop-off in action, as is the norm, but the lack of snow cover and lack of ice thickness, allowing more light for remaining aquatic plants to produce oxygen, is helping some with activity.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Pike action picked up as the week went on. Nothing special here, big shiners and suckers attracting the biggest fish.

Crappie: Fair-Good – May be due to the lack of ice, but there seems to continue to be a two “story” fishery. Anglers fishing green, tall narrow leaf cabbage in 10-12’ slow dropping Lethal Cecils, Shrimpos and rockers tipped with waxies. At the same time, a large portion of the Crappie population suspending over deeper basins in 22-30’ of water. Clam Pinheads, Tikka Flash as well as #4 glow tungsten jigs tipped with waxies. In both areas, tip-downs with small rosies or regular Crappie minnows doing well.

Yellow Perch: Fair-Good – Perch seem to be concentrating together in deeper water. Gold or glow Kastmasters, Pimples and Halis tipped with wigglers (when available) best over mud of 20-30’. Shallower flats (12-18) seem to have smaller fish in most cases. Anglers finding some Perch in broad leaf cabbage flats of 7-10’ using Bluegill shaped jigs tipped with waxies.

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Good – Liking the warm weather, LMB showing up on tip-ups and jigging spoons in and along weed flats.

Bluegill: Fair-Good – Gill catches vary. Several days last week, Gills (and other species) were “present” but not biting except for small windows of time, usually just an hour before dusk. Things improving as we seem to be moving away from full moon phase.

Walleye: Poor-Good – With green weeds still present in depths of 8-12’ – good places to set up tip-ups with medium shiners just before dusk. Humps sporting sandgrass or rock bringing fish in the evenings as well.

Overall fishing picking up from the lows of the previous week. Not first ice good, but probably better than most end of January.

Forecast have 14 straight days of temps above freezing (34-45 degrees) with all but two nights with temps below (23-27 degrees). We won’t make ice during this time, but shouldn’t lose either. The tops of most lakes have slush ranging from 1-4”. On some lakes the water has drained off. Either way, water proof (rubber) boots, cleats, picks and floatation gear should be part of your “attire”. With some luck and a little cold we can have a full February of ice fishing in the Northwoods.

Only five weekends remain of the inland gamefish season, so make the most of it!

Upcoming Tournaments
Feb 10th – 22nd Annual Plum Lake Ice Fishing Tournament – Plum Lake
Feb 17th – Lake Tomahawk Family Fisheree – Lake Tomahawk
Feb 24th – 3rd Annual Newbold Fire Dept Ice Fishing Tournament – Muskellunge Lake
Mar 2nd – KISS Annual High School Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Minocqua

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 02-13-24:

Once again there was much concern in regards to the Northwoods ice conditions following last weeks temps that cracked the 50 degree mark on Thursday (2/8). It definitely is correct to be worried as pressure cracks (Willow, Rainbow Flowages) and open water areas (North Trout, Squirrel) and areas of thin ice (South Trout – 4-5”). On the other hand, we’ve had below freezing temps since Friday (2/9) and the sounds of “making” ice can be heard at night and mornings.

Ice thickness has been measured on many area lakes at 6-10” with 7 ½ – 8 ½ being the most common. No matter where you go, always check, especially along shorelines by walking out and drilling first. Usually (but not always) the shoreline ice has been thinner than ice out towards the middle.

Northern Pike: Very Good – Lots of action on tip-ups baited with large shiners and suckers in depths from as little as 4’ out to 14’ where weeds are found. Good numbers and some very nice fish in the 30-36” range this past week. Let some of those big girls (30”+) go to grow and pass on those good genetics!

Crappie: Very Good-Good – The bite slowed on Sunday (2/11) and Monday (2/12) a bit. Action could still be found in 11-13” weeds but Crappies held tight to bottom those mornings. Coaxing bites with tungsten jigs (5’s & 6’s due to wind) tipped with plastics (pink, yellow, white) best. Basin fish (20-34’) moving rather quickly, most being caught 4-6’ off bottom using “blingy” type jigs and spoons to lure fish up to bite, followed up by a more subdued tungsten jig to deliver a subtle piece of plastic or grub to seal the deal. Lots of reports of good action with some 14-15” slabs to brag about.

Bluegill: Good-Very Good (size) – As with Crappies, anglers finding weed relating fish in 6-10’ using tungsten jigs to deliver waxies, spikes and plastics (red, motor oil, black and purple) to hold their lines down in the wind. Nice catches with enough 7 ½ – 8 ½“ ers for a meal or two. Others plying open water Gills in 20-34’ finding large Gills (8-11”, yes, I saw the pics) suspending 4-8’ off bottom taking large size 6mm tungsten jigs to offer spikes and dark plastics!

Yellow Perch: Good – Lots of action Perch, seemingly all over weed flats (4-10’) adjoining mud flats (12-18’) but you really need to sort through for the keepers (8-11”). Off shore over sandgrass humps (18-22’) or mud bottoms (20-30’) using Halis, Pimples and Kastmasters to get wigglers down has been most effective for better average eaters.

Walleye: Good-Fair – Conditions over the weekend slowed from what was a good week during the warm spell. Jigging with Raps, Tikka Minnows and Slender spoons in 9-12’ along weed edges at dusk. Tip-ups with suckers best from 4:30 PM through 6:30 PM, then another bite about 10:00 PM.

Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Lots of reports earlier in the week, quieted down by windy weekend. Medium shiners in cabbage of 8-12’. Jigging with Bluegill shaped lures (Forage Minnows, Chubby Darters, K-Rips) also picking up fish for the rod & reel gang

Bullheads: Poor – What happened to our Bullhead reports? Someone isn’t trying hard enough to score…or they are staying tight lipped so as not to see a rush on these tasty mid-winter treats!

Forecast, forecast, forecast…
What do they know? If we can believe it, we may see at least 15 straight nights of sub-freezing temps (some in teens to single digits). Only a few afternoons above freezing in that span. We hear the lakes making ice, as I wrote at the start of this report. If you had asked at the beginning of February, I would have said I doubt we will have ice by the end of the month, but now it looks like things will improve on into March. Still not enough for trucks or large UTV’s as of now, but easy access and good travel by foot (bring creepers), ATV and snowdogs.

Just three weekends left to Wisconsin inland lakes gamefish, so get yourself and your tip-ups out on the ice.

Upcoming Events
Feb 17th – Lake Tomahawk Family Fisheree – Lake Tomahawk
Feb 24th – 3rd Annual Newbold Fire Dept Ice Fishing Tournament – Muskellunge Lake
Feb 24th – Winter free fishing contest – Any Lake – Sponsored by County Line Station
Feb 24th – Kids Ice Fishing Day – Lake Minocqua – Sponsored by Northwoods Chapter of Muskies, Inc
Mar 2nd – KISS Annual High School Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Minocqua

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 02-19-24:

Unfortunately, a cold and windy holiday (President’s Day) weekend greeted anglers who had the time off. Lows in the single digits with winds in the upper teens to upper 20’s made things feel worse. Lots of anglers still gave it their best (considering we are not accustomed to such “brutally” cold weather this winter). Action overall dipped, still some fish being caught, just a bit slower and harder to do over the past week.

Crappie: Good-Fair – Weed bite (8-13’) tougher as ability to move about in wind and detect light bites a chore. Crappies held tight to bottom, use tungsten jigs to get bait to hold – plastics in pink, yellow, silver or waxies best. Deadstick inside shacks with Crappie minnows picking up some fish. Basin Crappies over 22-32’ responding to Kastmasters, Tikka Flashes and #5 or #6 mm tungsten in glow tipped with waxies. Fish on the move, with wind it was reported to sit and wait for them to return rather than chase. Use a flashy spoon to draw attention, then have second rod ready with a subtle offering if fish seem spooky.

Northern Pike: Good-Fair – A noticeable slow down from the past few weeks. Mornings not as good as afternoons (watch for moonrise times, thanks Shelly)! Not much for signs of heavy feeding but that will come. Some nice fish of 31-34” this weekend with most on large shiners and suckers on tip-ups.

Bluegill: Good-Fair – Surprisingly better Gills in deep water (28-34’) with a number of fish in the 9-10+” range (measured w/ photos). Heavy tungsten jigs (4,5 & 6 mm) to get down baited with red spikes or red, motor oil or black plastic. Weed Bluegills tougher to pin point. Should improve with warm up, but over the weekend tighter lipped. Taking jigs tipped with waxies, the smallest you could fish with in the wind.

Yellow Perch: Good-Fair – Mud, deeper sandgrass Perch in 18-30’. Wigglers on #2 Pimples, Halis or Z-Rips. Best very early AM or late afternoon. Some reports of Perch relating to sandgrass flats in 16-22’ being caught on jigs tipped with small minnows. Still some nicer Perch in weeds taking waxies on small sunfish shaped jigs (T-Rips, Tikka Flash). Anglers haunted by “ghost” flags reporting bigger Perch (10-12”) on smaller shiners on their tip-ups.

Walleye: Fair – Despite some nicer fish reported (up to 27”) this weekend, bite for the most part (some exceptions) from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Suckers along the deepest weed edges (8-12’) and over humps supporting sandgrass or rock. Little jigging action (cold?).

Largemouth Bass: Fair-Poor – Cold likely culprit for reduced reports. Watch for spike mid-week as temps climb into 40’s. Medium golden shiners best.

Bullheads: Poor – Second weekend without a Bullhead report – step it up people!

With cold and little snow on ice, conditions getting better as most reports have 8-15” of ice on most lakes. Caution still advised especially on spots on the Rainbow and Willow Flowages as well as North Trout and an incident that raises some concern on White Sand Lake on the Lac Du Flambeau Reservation.

Now to the guessing portion of our report…If we can believe the forecast (pause for laughter to subside) we will only have one night in the next 15 above freezing (good for making or not losing ice). Fourteen of the next 15 days our highs will be above freezing (2/21 to 48 degrees), not great, but not enough to get worried. But seven of those 15 days will be above 40 degrees. With that said, we should still have safe, fishable ice as the last two weeks of the Inland gamefish season ends at Midnight, March 3rd. Shanty’s (North of Hwy 64) off by March 17th.

Upcoming Events
Feb 24th – 3rd Annual Newbold Fire Dept Ice Fishing Tournament – Muskellunge Lake
Feb 24th – Kids Ice Fishing Day – Lake Minocqua – Sponsored by Northwoods Chapter of Muskies, Inc
Mar 2nd – KISS Annual High School Ice Fishing Tournament – Lake Minocqua

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 02-26-24:

Just one week left to the inland gamefish season here in the Northwoods. Lines out of the water at 11:59 PM on Sunday, March 3rd!

Thanks to a couple more single digit mornings last week, we may have some of the best ice we’ve had all season, reports and personal measurements are ranging from 10-15” with 11-13” the most common. Even had a report of 11” on South Trout! Last week at bat for gamefish so we will start there…

Walleye: Fair-Good – Tough with high pressure, but evenings picked up by Sunday night (2/25). Jigging Raps, Tikka Minnows and Slab Raps produced fish in the upper teen to mid-20” range. Tip-ups with suckers seemed best after dark. Most reports from off shore humps and sand bars, though weed edges in 9-14’ also picking up evening traffic.

Northern Pike: Fair-Good – Following a slow down of action, Pike activity also improved as of 2/25. Big baits to deter smaller Bass and Pike preferred. Pike suckers and large shiners. Mornings still slower (could be single digit temps) but improve as things warm.

Largemouth Bass: Fair – Action best on warmer days. Medium shiners on tip-ups, but a #3 pimple loaded with waxies will also work. Anglers using tip-downs with small minnows also reporting catching Bass – try small golden shiners if Bass are your target on tip-downs.

Bluegill: Fair-Good – Like everything else, action came late in the weekend. Anglers reported hardest part keeping lines in the water. Nice Gills (7 ½+”) in weeds of 5-9’. Others finding Gills over basins of smaller lakes (less than 500 acres) using tungsten to get (and keep) waxies, spikes or mousses down to the fish.

Yellow Perch: Fair – Most reports from anglers fishing weeds of 5-12’ for other panfish scoring on nice “eaters” of
8– 9 ½” on jigs with waxies or deadsticks and minnows. Get just outside of the weeds into mud and lots of little ones. Deeper mud flats (20-30’) providing some nice fish on spoons with wigglers.

Crappie: Fair – Best over basins of 22-34’. Be patient as schools seem to be on the move. Small, flashy lures to attract – Tikka Flash, Jointed Pin Heads and small Kastmasters, then a more subtle approach at times to trigger shy fish.

A few Burbot being caught by night time Walleye anglers. Not much on Whitefish. Nothing on Bullheads.

Forecast: I had down 58 hours of temps above freezing and 72 hours below through Saturday. Aboves in 50’s at times, lows in single digits (one 17-hour stretch) bracketed by temps in teens mid-week to firm things up. Dare I say ice should hold through the weekend, but if we don’t get more cold snaps in March, it may not last long.

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 03-05-24:

The inland gamefish season is over! The warm winter of 23/24 continues to confound anglers with unseasonably warm weather and ice thickness far less than we’ve ever seen at this time of year. Temps in the 50’s and even 60’s followed by lows in the Sub-Zero range this past week made ice safety a real concern. As of this writing March 5th, ice is still good on most lakes averaging 8 to 10 in thick but access to the good ice is deteriorating.

Use caution anywhere you are ice fishing from here on out. Access with Southern or Southeastern exposures are the first to pull away. Northern exposures, those with South shores that get the least sun hold ice the longest. It was better than usual during the last weekend of the game fish season. Nice catches of walleye to 26″ and Northern Pike 36 to 37″ reported and largemouth bass several of the 18 to 20 inch kind were caught and released.
Thanks to the teams for Winneconne, Neenah, Slinger, Kettle Moraine and Rosholt for helping gather such great reports during our 6th annual K.I.S.S. High School ice fishing tournament this past Saturday, great anglers and great sports people!!!

Crappies. Very good > Best bite very early morning from dawn till 8:30 a.m. then again in the late afternoons. Basin fishing shined on tip downs using small fathead minnows or rosies. Flashy jigs or spoons such as pinheads and Tika flashes produced best tipped with wax worms. For shallower anglers, 8 to 13 ft weeds while slow dropping lightweight spoons tipped with waxes or plastics plenty of nice 10 to 12 inch fish with lots of slabs of 13 to 14 in being caught.

Bluegills. Very good > Early morning through mid-morning and again mid-afternoon till dusk. Nice girls in the seven to nine and a half inch range with averages of 7″ to 8″, 3 mm tungsten jigs tipped with waxies or mousies or plastics to invest. Jigs with hair on seem to also convince the hesitant biters. While weeds and 6 to 10 ft seem to best reports of larger gills 8 and 1/2 to 10 in coming from over deeper water of 14 to 18 ft.

Yellow perch. Good to very good > Mud bite just outside weeds in 14 to 18 ft using spoons such as pimples, Kastmasters to deliver wigglers or red spikes best. Nice eaters in that 8-10 range just a few reports of larger fish.

Having checked ice this morning March 5th my guess is there will be opportunities throughout portions of the Northwoods to ice fish through the upcoming weekend. Walking only, use creepers, take safety spikes wear flotation and take a friend. Be very careful, travel light. We will continue to monitor the ice this week, so check our Facebook page and website for updates.

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 03-08-24:

ICE UPDATE: Despite some cold nights and the sounds of ice firming up through the night into the early mornings our ice season is coming to a close.
Still, I measured 9 1/2″ on Wednesday evening on one lake with a southern access but other reports of lakes without a base of clear black ice are coming in. Some lakes with 7-8″ of ice have no black ice and are crumbling easily with a couple pokes of a spud bar or just the weight of anglers.

Two men broke through (and were successfully rescued) on the Willow Flowage yesterday (3/7) walking out from the sand landing. Shorelines on the North shores of lakes pulling away. Some anglers using planks to access but on warm afternoons. These areas can get wider so it’s not advisable.
This weekend we will have mostly sub-freezing weather, 53 hours of below freezing versus 19 above but by Monday /Tuesday next week (3/11-3/12) with forecast into the low ’60s that will end all if not almost all access. It’s been a different season to say the least but best to stay safe and leave things until the ice is out at this point.

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 03-11-24:

We can put a fork in the ice season (or a chisel, spike, cleat, whatever your favorite euphemism would be).

While spots out on certain lakes still had fishable ice by Friday (3/8), even the weekend’s cold weather couldn’t hold up against the wind. Shorelines are pulling away. Ice (even when 6-8” was found) is not strong, crumbling under just a couple chisel strokes. The next 40+ hours will be above freezing with some temps in the 50’s even possible 60’s with cooler weather the following week, things look to be just enough for neither ice nor boat anglers to be able to get out and fish panfish.

Without abilities to fish locally, this fishing report will suspend until there is something to write about.

Keep the evening of April 8th open to attend your local Conservation Congress Spring Hearings. This is your chance to voice your opinion on subjects that affect you, the outdoors people! Your support (or non-support) helps the Natural Resource Board to direct the Department of Natural Resources as to upcoming rules and regulations that affect us. Remember, a non-vote is like a ½ vote for the opinion you have, so share.

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

Mark

PS > There is lots of open water all the way up to the MI border from the last two to three days. Even Tomahawk Lake is mostly open at this time. Whether your favorite lake is open currently, I don’t really know, but more of it is probably open than what you can get your boat to depending on the landing’s location.

From Kurt’s Island Bait for the date 04-22-24:

We’re back…

Per usual, April showed us what April can be. Cold and wind this past week disrupted the nice warm up that seemed to be occurring. With limited options to the fishing here in the Northwoods (panfish and catch & release Bass) what was a slowly improving bite came to a crashing halt.

No worries, not a lot of anglers take advantage of the super early open water opportunities for panfish at times like these. But it can be productive under the right conditions.

On warming day, with air temps in the 50’s and 60’s, Crappies and Gills will congregate in the shallows to warm themselves and feed on invertebrates (Perch have or will be spawning further out away from these areas). These Gills and Crappies are not spawning, as some think, just collecting heat to help with the development of their eggs. These fish can be in as little as one foot of water and very spooky. Stay as far back as a long cast will allow to offer up waxies, leaf worms, small minnows or tiny tube jigs. Heavy, weighted floats, such as Rocket Bobbers, will help with these casts.

Forecast of highs in the 50’s, maybe low 60’s with bright sun will be best.

We are extending our line sale through April 28th, so take advantage and get freshly spooled.

As a reminder, the Lake Tomahawk/Lake Minocqua Chain will NOT be open to hook and line angling for Walleye at the time of the opener. In fact, if the LDF tribe does not spear Walleyes (they have not as of this writing) then the chain will remain closed until the 2025 opener.

As Walleyes For Tomorrow has asked in the past, please refrain from targeting Walleyes on the chain as we continue to work to rehabilitate the population.

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 04-29-24:

On the cusp of the 2024 opener! First opener in three seasons we haven’t been concerned with ice out. For the most part Walleye spawning is done. Water temps are averaging 43-46 degrees. Cool nights (in the 30’s) has kept the warmer days from heating up too quickly. We have received some rain, not as much as we need but enough to bring lake and Flowage levels up.

Walleye anglers for the opener should for the most part be targeting post spawn Walleyes. This is a time where your temperature gauge on your electronics becomes very important. Differences in 1-2 degrees surface temp, from one side of a lake to another, can make all the difference in fish activity. Wind will push the warmest water (at the surface) across lakes lowering the temperature or the lee side while raising the temperature on the windward side and having a distinct effect on fish activity at this time of year.

Look for any newly emerging green weeds in 2-8’ of water. This is where insects and minnows will be that draws these hungry post spawn Walleyes in to feed. A light weight 1/32-1/16 oz jig tipped with a lively fathead minnow, dace, chub or even leech as the water warms into the low 50’s will work great. Slip-bobbers rig with the same live baits as well as shallow running stick baits in the 3-4” length such as floating Rapalas, Storm Jr Thundersticks and Smithwick Rattlin Rouges are also a great choice. Just Work these shallow running baits just over the new weed tops.

Northern Pike should also be actively feeding as it’s also the post spawn period for them. The earlier mentioned stick baits as well as 3-4” swimbaits or a good ol’ jig and chub on a wire leader is always a good choice.

Yellow Perch will also be post spawn. Typically, the larger Perch will be scattered throughout green weeds. They really love dragonfly larvae, but will eat minnows, leeches and crawlers just as well.

Crappies have mostly been holding out in 6-8’ of water unless warm sunny days pull them into the 1-2’ shallows. Tiny tubes, hair jigs or small minnows have been working best. Any wood in the water will help collect some heat and draw them in a little better.

Bluegills have been seen sunning themselves on warm days in the shallows.

Largemouth Bass are working dark mud bottomed areas for the most part, though I did get a report of big LMB holding up on shallow rocks, fish to 20”, where water was warmer.

Smallmouth Bass anglers finding Smallies on rock/gravel breaks using Ned rigs and hair jigs.

Overall, water temp will be key. Forecast for rain/clouds should extend the bite on opening day. Warmer weather on Sunday should bode well for all species as waters start to warm up again.

Walleye Fishing on the Minocqua Chain
As of Friday, April 26th, the Lac Du Flambeau band of Chippewa’s exercised their right to spear the Lake Tomahawk/Minocqua Chain.

So all hook and line anglers understand, there is a process to go through for the DNR to be able to open the catch and keep season for non-tribal harvest. The chain WILL NOT BE OPEN at the start of Walleye opener May 4th.

The DNR is working on getting a special meeting with the Natural Resource Board (NRB) to work out details to open the season. Once this meeting is scheduled, make sure to have your comments heard as to what you’d like to see done (i.e. open season, remain catch & release etc)

Please respect the rules and refrain from keeping Walleyes from the chain until the season opens!

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

Mark