Minocqua Area Fishing Report 6/7/2026
by Kurt's Island Sport Shop
Minocqua Area Fishing Report
Beautiful week of weather, could have used some more rain, but…
With the warmth, water temps climbing into mid-70’s already, pushing fish out of the late May patterns and into early summer a bit ahead of schedule. Expect bites from last week starting to shift this coming week.
Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Anglers reporting fewer bedding fish than last week. Temps speeding up the spawn. Post spawn Smallies outside spawning areas hitting suspending jerks (Husky, X-Raps) and swimming Marabou jigs. Season not open until June 20th, best to let those battlers go even then.
Walleye: Very Good-Good (and slowing) – Definite drop off by Sunday (6/7) over mid-week when shallow weed bite (4’-8’) was hot, even during sunny afternoons. Large leeches and medium redtails on weedless jigs did the trick. Water temps rising, plus the prospect of Mayflys getting ready (not yet, but could with heating lake temps) mean consider some off weed mud flats, dragging crawlers or leeches on jigs or Lindy Rigs.
Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Active in shallows feeding up on just about anything that moves (found Perch, Crayfish, Bluegills and even a Mudpuppy in the bellies of some I filleted and sent home with clients). When on the feed any fast-moving lure or bait will trigger hits. Mepps Aglia #3 & 4’s, chatterbaits, Boonie Baits, 4” swimbaits and Husky Jerks have been favorites.
Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Mixing in the shallow weeds with the Walleyes and Pike, grabbing what they can. Best to down size a little with medium fatheads on 1/16 oz jigs. Perch of 9-12” this week feeding up.
Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Shallow water as the “Green” Bass are next to bed. The trend of the year – Fuzzy Dice, Ameoba’s or Silencers pitched into the shallows and danced back have been a hit. Wacky worming, 3” swimbaits (Kietech Impacts, Crush City Mayors and Mooch Minnows) as well as, small spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Evening bit on top-water (frogs, mice, Whopper Ploppers) starting up.
Bluegill: Good – Piling up in shallows, some reports of bedding, but seems early as Gills move in after Largemouth. Thunderbugs, small leeches, Gulp Maggots and wet flys cast behind small bobbers.
Crappie: Good-Fair – While still getting caught in all the regulare post spawn areas – weeds, drowned wood – and some showing signs of missing their spawn (dark orange-colored eggs), active fish hitting small swimming plastics (Kalin Crappie Scrubs, 2” Twister) and the always edible Mini Mites.
Musky: Good-Fair – Most anglers moving and catching smaller (low to mid-30”) fish using light bucktails, 6” twitchbits, and 5-6” swimbaits in shallows of 5-10’. A few on quick-set rigged suckers, but with the water temps in mid-70’s, hard to keep lively.
With temps forecasted to hit upper 80’s by Wednesday (6/10) before dropping back into highs of 70’s, even upper 60’s, promise (will see) of rain, lake temps may settle down by the coming weekend. New moon is the 14th, my favorite.
