Northern Wisconsin Fishing
Seasoned anglers and novices alike enjoy testing their skills in the Minocqua area’s lakes, rivers and streams. Most support a variety of fish, such as Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Trout and Walleye, and most have public access.
Fishing
Report
Minocqua Area Fishing Report 2/04/2025
The "Dog Days of Winter" (thanks reporter, Jeff Walz), may be upon us. Though that assessment could easily be the day more than the week itself. There's typically a drop off in midwinter as ice, thickens, and snow deepens. This cuts off light to plants and they lose the ability for photosynthesis, lowering oxygen levels and fish activity. But with very little snow this year, weeds seem to be staying green. More than likely, I'd blame the "dog days" this year on the east winds. Yet whatever the reasons, conditions still are very good for anglers and fish are still being caught.
Crappies: Good-Very good
Bite having windows, as some anglers fishing basin fish doing extremely well at times catching limits. At other times, fish being persnickety (my grandmother's word), coming in to investigate, then dropping away. Flashy or loud lures such as Tika flashes, jointed Pinhead, and rattling Kast masters and the like tipped with waxies still tops as are tip downs with rosies stationed nearby your jigging hole ( if you're not the run and gun type). Weed fish requiring finesse. Slow dropping jigs tipped with plastics (silver,white and yellow being best. Start high in the water column, but be ready to fish low (1 foot off the bottom) if fish are not responding.
Northern Pike: Good- Very Good
Typical shiner or suckers on tip-ups. Lots of complaints of pike snipping off jigs meant for gills or crappie, so you know they are on the prowl.
Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good
Mud flats the best overall location in 15-20' of water. Hali Jigs and Kastmaster spoons with chain hooks to deliver wigglers or red spikes. Schools on the move! If you find some, more than likely they or another school will return.
Bluegill: Good
Heavy cabbage in 8-12’, but also some cruising flats where crappies and perch found. Plastics in red, motor oil, purple and black. Waxies or spikes always a good choice.
Walleye: Good-Fair
Bite more concentrated towards evenings than earlier. Some pre dawn action but window smaller.
The jigging bite (Raps, Hyper Glides, Hyper Rattles) has caught enough fish of late to make the effort count. Depths of 14-25’ using suckers or medium shiners did the trick this past weekend.
Largemouth Bass: Fair
Bass bite slows when temps drop. Most caught targeting other fish on tip-ups with medium shiners.
Overall conditions remain unchanged if not slightly improving as ice slowly thickens. (Most lake at 20-28”) and not enough new snow (sorry snowmobiles) to affect travels. Do watch access on some North Landings as drifts could impede travel, but for the majority of access things are excellent.
Weather forecast of highs in the upper teens to mid 20’s and low’s in the single digits to negative temps. Should do well for ice anglers trips this week.
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Popular Fishing Lakes
Some of the more popular fishing lakes favored by visitors and locals include, Big Arbor Vitae, Clear Carrol, Madeline, Squirrel and Squaw. Bassmaster recently named the Minocqua chain one of the 25 best bass lakes in America’s central region and one of the top 100 in the nation. There are numerous wilderness sites for a quiet escape. Some good bets are the Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area and the many lakes dimpling the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest.
Mid Lake, which has shallow water that warms quickly, is the place to be in spring, when Musky and Northern swim here to spawn.
Bass Fishing
The Minocqua Chain has been named one of the top 25 Bass fishing hotspots by Bassmaster. Find the Fish
Musky Fishing
Looking for that ‘one for the wall'? The musky is the ultimate trophy & Minocqua area lakes are the right place to find... Find the Fish
Walleye Fishing
One of the most sought fish in the Minocqua area, Walleye are ideal for trying your hand at making a shore lunch. Find the Fish
Boat Launch Permit
Boat Launch Fees
All tow vehicles accessing the following boat launches from April 1 through November 30 must purchase a daily or annual use permit. Thirsty Whale Boat Landing - 453 E. Park Ave, Minocqua, WI Schoolhouse Bay Boat Landing - 429 E. Park Ave, Minocqua, WI Cedar Street Boat Landing - 968 Cedar Street,...


Fish Recipes
The fish are caught. They are all cleaned and ready for cooking. Now, how are you going to prepare them? What will you use to complement the flavors of the fish? Here are some tasty ideas...


Ice Fishing
If you enjoy fishing, don't let the snow and ice slow you down. Ice fishing in the Minocqua area is a great way to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months.