Minocqua, Arbor Vitae, Woodruff, Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Fishing Reports and Conditions

FISHING REPORTS: (for even more information, check out the FORUM page)

Well folks...yet another week gone bye...were is the summer going? I didnt get much of a chance to fish this week , only getting out two times. But on the up side i did get quite a few dependable reports this week. Walleyes have ben spotty but tose who work at it are getting some nice catches, with nightcrawlers and leeches leading the way. Bass fishing is on the forefront with alot of big fish stories to tell this week, one of our local guides landed a beautiful 22 1/2 inch smallmouth that i will be mounting for him, and also a report of a 22 1/2 inch largemouth caught and released on the chain this week.Fire-tiger spinners and lipless crankbaits were doing the trick. Crappies are the surprise this week with numbers of reports of really good catches on plastics and crappie minnows under floats doing the best. Fish seem to be in 9 to 12 feet of water on the weed edges. Northerns are hanging in there with jigs and larger minnows being the bait of choice. Perch are doing o.k. Kevin and myself got a few nice ones the other day up in shallow weeds in 6 foot of water. Just a heads up for those honest and good people , while fishing on the rainbow flowage the other day, although i was at fault for leaving my keys in my truck(witch i do not do anymore) my truck was stolen from one of the boat launches, at 1:00 in the afternoon while i was only 75yds away. They were nice enogh to leave my trailer, and i did recover my truck, but for safteys sake lock em up we have a theif in the area. Till next week good fishin...Dennis
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 08:24:47 (CDT)

Hello fellow fisherpeople, well today is the 25th day of June already, into the summer months we go. Bass season is open and people were hittin em pretty hard last weekend, and doing fairly well might i add.Alot of multiple fish days and some nice fish being caught on live ,and lures ,such as spinner baits and crankbaits.The walleyes are hanging in there yet but be looking for the mayfly hatch to happen pretty soon and make things a little harder.Kevin and myself put together a nice stringer of Walleye on the Minocqua Chain last week of fish up to 24 inches. Look for mid lake structure with a weed edge. Our fish were caught in about 15 feet of water. Leeches seem to be the bait of choice. Nightcrawlers also working well on some other lakes. Still getting a few reports of crappies biting in the shallows on crappie minnows.(seems a little late, but then again what isnt late this year)Bluegills are in full spawn mode up on beds or just getting there ,on a recent trip out we found bluegills in depths of 12-14 feet still full of spawn and looking ready to burst, so look for some hot blugill action from now on for a couple of weeks. Not much for Muskie reports last week, only know of two 43 inchers caught by the same guy running with one of guides who stops in and visits with us. Speaking of guides we have all the info here at the store or call us if your looking for a great day on the water and catching some fish.Remember a day with a guide can be one of the best things you can do here in the northwoods, These guys have many years of knowledge that can save you hours or even years of fishing time on unproductive waters and styles of fishing.O.k. now that i ran off in a diferent direction, Northerns , i havent had to many reports but like the ol broken record..... fish the weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, spinners such as Mepps #5 , or a jig and larger minnow will do the trick. So as a general report , Bass and Bluegills this week Walleyes are doing ok, Muskie report fair at best..Northerns ok. Perch should be moving into areas where the mayflys will be shortly and look for the walleye to follow ...untill next week... tight lines..Dennis
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 08:33:59 (CDT)

Hello fellow fisherpeople.. yet another week gone by and it still feels like spring hasnt come yet. The temps and the wind had everything to do with the fishing this week.The bite slowed this week with quite a few cold fronts and the relentless winds pushing upwards of 20-30 mph for the majority of the week. Folks that did manage to get out and fish caught a few (or was it the ones that they could feel?) But the majority of reports was that it was a light bite and the focus had moved over to different baits.Night crawlers and leeches were taking the front seat for the walleyes, with alot of smaller fish being taken.As for the crappies well, they are just about done with the spawn but still a few fish being caught. Bluegills are now moving up and are biting well. Ice fishing jigs with waxworms and Cubby Mity Mites being the staple for those. Largemouth Bass are on the beds and protecting them, and the smallmouth are still active but seem to be winding down a little bit.Northerns are still cruising the edge of new weeds. Speaking of new weeds, they are finally coming about, and fiding the edges is becoming fairly easy to do now. Well, thats it for this week, get out when you can and enjoy the weather when mother nature allows us to. ...good fishin.......Dennis
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 08:42:04 (CDT)

Well folks , yet another week of fishing gone by and there are a few changes this week. First and foremost the weather this week did not cooperate very well with the multitude of cold fronts and etc.. coming through this week, did mess up the fish a little bit , but those who were willing to brave the elements were able to put a meal in the freezer(with a little work). O.K. with that being said reports of walleyes varyied quite a bit but still most fish being taken in the newest green weeds (preferably cabbage) available. Weeds are finaly coming up but may take some electronics to find them and then a little research to confirm old or new growth. Jigs and minnows still the best, but i did manage one on a leech the other night, and had a confirmed report of a 30 incher taken on a jig and crawler. Crappies are going to be the big change for the week as they finish up the spawn and start moving to deeper water. Bluegills are the new one on the scene as they are moving up to do what the crappies just did. A Cubby Mighty-mite under a bobber or just plain will usually get a bluegill to take.Or take out those ice fishing jigs and tip with a waxie under a bobber. Largemouth and smallies are still providing alot of fun up shallow, as the smallies move up to spawn and the largemouth will be finishing up about the same time.I might sound like a broken record but, dont forget artifical barbless only season untill the 21st (of june).Northerns are still in the green weeds for now concentrate on 8-10 feet right now.Cranks or jig and a chub are the primary baits right now.Speaking of cranks dont put them away for the walleyes quite yet, i pulled a limit of smaller fish the other day searching for fish over green weeds. Good luck , and as always , cant catch em from the couch..Dennis
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 10:22:03 (CDT)

Hello fellow fisherman, well its ben another week and things have only changed a little around here. Crappies are the mainstay yet , with alot of nice catches coming in , with most fish up real shallow on beds yet. Look for that to be done shortly. The newcomer on the scene are the bass, both large mouth and smallmouth are feeding very agressivly in the shallows in preperation for the spawn.Catches of forty to fifty fish a day (remember catch and release only untill the 21st) Northerns are sharing the same areas along with walleyes who seem to be looking for any green weeds they can find. with the late ice off, these weeds can be hard to find but looking for and finding them may pay good dividends. Minnows seem to be holding there own with leeches and crawlers starting to produce mainly on smaller or darker lakes. Bluegills are now up on there beds with cubby baits and even wax worms taking there share of fish.A few muskies taken this week both on jerk baits and bucktails Thats all for this week, just rember ...get off the couch....catch fish...lol good luck to all...dennis
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, June 04, 2008 at 10:25:43 (CDT)

Hello fellow fisherman, well for the last week thing have slowed down (in some aspects), and got real good in others. The walleye bite might have seemed to slow down , but in all reality it has still be pretty good. But remember with the late ice off, were running about a month behind as far as the fish know. Where you found walleyes, last week may not be the best option this week. Look for them to be recovering from the spawn and headed or are already in the greenist weeds you can find (cabbage, coontail)We Have ben getting reports of 8-10 feet of water in the weeds. Also on some of the lakes reports of hatches already happining so dont overlook deep mud. Northerns are still up shallow 6-10 foot and sharing some of the same areas with walleyes. Crappies have taken priority this week with plenty of nice catches being caught.Size in general has ben reported to be down, so like we say with everything, take a meal or two but leave a few for brood.These fish are very vulnerable when up on beds.Good catches of large mouth , Remember catch and release barbless only this year until june 21st, have ben reported with fish up to 22inches. Bluegills have ben coming up to the shallows and have ben spotty as far as catching them.Not to many reports on mukie fishing , except for a 51 incher , and a forty incher caught and released by a young fellow who stopped in. well, thats it for this week, keep those hooks sharp, and remember... cant catch em from the couch... good luck
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 11:08:54 (CDT)

Well folks, after one of the best few opening weeks that i have witnessed here in the great northwoods, im finally getting a chance to post a report. Fishing was awsome with all lakes holding on to their ice to the last possible moment, but that was a good thing. Walleyes were being found up in the shallows (less than ten foot) for the last few weeks , being caught on a multitude of different presentations, jig and fat heads, cranks in the evening, even some reports on leaches already. Northerns were also being found up shalloow (and for that matter still are) and are feeding heavy. Crappies seem to be the target fish here of late as they move up to the shallows staging neer their spawning grounds in new growth weeds in ten foot or less. Plastics and simple rigs of the good ol fashioned bobber hook and a fathead all seem to be producing. Bluegills are also moving up in preperation of a spawn.As for the walleyes, Look for them to drop off into the first new weeds adjacent to spawning areas, seems they are in post spawn attitude right now , but look out when they put their feed bags back on to help recover from all they have ben through the last couple of weeks. Water temps are varying Quite a bit but temps of 44-53 deg are being reported. So fishing right now is good to great, with there being somthing to tug on a line pretty much anywhere you can find new weeds, and pay attention to water temps. Well thats it for now, get out there, toss a line , take a kid fishing, and remember ..... cant catch em from the couch...... good luck...Dennis
Dennis <Hntfishdie@yahoo.com>
- Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 08:12:17 (CDT)

Well folks, here I am back in the Northwoods of Wisconsin a couple of weeks early this year. The record floods in Arkansas sure put a damper on our bite there. Predictions from the Army Corp of Engineers are for water in Greers Ferry not to recede to normal until possibly mid-summer. We traded beautiful weather in the 70s, green grass, leaves on trees, flower, etc, for sub-freezing and snow when we got back to the Northwoods. However, that gave me some time to get lots of chores I've put off for years done around the house before the big game fish Opening Day on May 3rd. Speaking of Opening Day, the colder than normal spring here has delayed ice off on our 3600 lakes in Vilas and Oneida counties. In the past couple of days, we have seen ice off on most lakes 300 acres in size or less. There is little hope to see the large lakes like Tomahawk or Trout to be ice free by opening day, though. The good news is we will have plenty of open water to fish this weekend. Walleyes, of course, will be just beginning their spawn, but northerns will be done spawning and very active. With the walleye spawn just beginning, action will be found in shallow water, mainly on rock shore lines or points. Active males will be the main bite for a week or two, but you will score a few spawning females, too. Actually, a week of early ice off or a week of delayed ice off like this year makes very little difference in the bite in my opinion. All opening weekends are about the same year after year. The type of water you pick for the opening week of fishing will be the key on how to score big. Dark water or flowage water will find eyes remaining shallow all day long close to spawning rock areas. If clear water is your choice, look for eyes to be very shallow at night and back off into 15 to 20 feet adjacent to these rock areas during the day. No question that 1/16 oz jigs and fat head minnow combos will produce the bulk of your catch. Leeches will be at a premium this year as ice still covers Minnesota lakes where the bulk of our leeches come from. Anyway minnows will still far out produce leeches until at least mid May, as leeches naturally will not swim freely from the mud until that time. The other method that will produce a lot of fish is casting shallow running crank baits like Rapala Husky Jerks or X Raps in shallow water. Again, your choice of water will be critical in successful use of this method. Dark water will produce night or day, but clear water will only produce at night. For best results on very early season eyes, pick the numbers lakes for action on smaller fish. It's true, big, deep, clear lakes will produce a few trophy females but don't expect a lot of action on those types of lakes until spawning is complete for a week or two. My choice for Opening Week will be area flowages or at least river type water in lakes that are fed by rivers. Of course, flowage landings will be very crowded opening weekend, but those of you who can spend weekdays angling will find plenty of room to do your thing. As usual, you will find very, very little new green weed growth yet. If you do find any green sprouts at all in your favorite water, there is no question you have a hot spot. Sometimes even old weed growth from last year, even if brown cabbage, will hold fish. In lakes without wood or rocks, old weed growth is the only structure forage fish can hide in from predator fish. If walleyes are tough for you opening weekend, target northerns or jumbo perch. Both are done with their spawn and will be hungry and feeding aggressively. Another species to target is crappie. They will be actively feeding in very shallow bays with warmer water than the remainder of the lake. Simple 1/32 oz jigs tipped with small twister tails under a bobber will work very well. These crappies will be in and out of these bays as they will follow perch fry and other minnows that are present in these shallow bays. One day you will enjoy a fast bite, the next you won't have a hit. So move around a lot until you contact a feeding school and you will limit out. After a very long winter for most of you, it's time to get excited and join us in the Northwoods to celebrate another fishing season. Come on, catch the good life with us in beautiful Northern Wisconsin. Good Fishin'
Tommy Zinda <tadpole@g2a.net>
- Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 09:36:25 (CDT)

i have been remiss in my ice conditions postings.

right now the ice is still 20+ in the middle but finally pulling away from the shore. my friend on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage says the pull-a-way has gone from 3 to 12' in a couple of days. it will be close for the opener, especially on big lakes. wind and rain will tell the tale.
Jeff Bolander <jeff@upnorthpublishing.com>
- Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 11:55:47 (CDT)

Well folks, Last weekends Big Arb chill out was another success. Wish I could have been there. Fishing was a bit on the slow side, but still most had lots of fun. Even with the warm weather that slow bite continued overall. Did see some decent catches of by individuals throughout the week. Northerns and perch have been providing the most action on the shallow weedy lakes. The walleye bite has been better on the deeper clear lakes fishing deep grass and rock bars. The coming right around dark hasn't been fast or furious, but enough to put a meal on the ice. In those areas with deep grass the perch have been hitting just before the walleyes. In both cases a short bite window. Type of bait didn't matter once they started Some reports of decent crappie action once the fish were found. Lots of hole pounding to find them, but then action was steady. Major movements have been seen making day to day targeting them a little work. That last storm that passed here again forgot to leave any amount of snow for us. It's horrible that southern WI has seen more snow then us. although this should have been a a blessing for making ice with the cold weather. That seems to be avoiding us as well. Even with the super cold days we have seen ice depths are just not where they should be. I seen this first hand again on a lake I haven't been on in almost 3 weeks. Last time out 10" then all that cold to drive out to find maybe 14". I tell ya that is a little scary to see when you have a 3/4 ton diesel suburban parked close by. I trusted the dozen or so other trucks out there. Should have just taken the sleds!!! Decent weather again this weekend should have the anglers out in full force. Hopefully will have some good reports for you all. Tight lines, Steve steve@whiteswoodsandwaters.com
Jeff Bolander <jeff@upnorthpublishing.com>
- Friday, February 01, 2008 at 09:39:54 (CST)