Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early February 2025
Ice fishing in the Minocqua, WI, area has been very consistent. Ice travel is still quite good, as we have not received much snow this winter. There is currently 3-4 inches of snow on the ice, and the ice conditions are approximately 20-24 inches on most of the lakes in Oneida and Vilas counties.
Walleye fishing has been excellent, with good numbers being caught on the Rainbow and Willow Flowages, as well as good numbers being caught on several lakes in our area. On the dark water shallow lakes, walleye have been caught in the 6-12 feet range; on the deep clear water systems, good numbers of walleye have been caught in the 12-25 feet range. Walleye Suckers, Large Golden Shiners, and Medium Golden Shiners have all been working great.
Northern pike has been in these same areas on these two types of systems; however, most pike will be close to or into any weed cover. Large Golden Shiners and Northern Pike mix are great for catching Northern Pike. Crappies, Perch and Panfish, have been caught in the 4-10 foot range on the dark, shallow water lakes, while on the clear water deep lakes, Crappies, Perch, and Panfish have been in the 6-14 foot range.
In any type of system you are fishing, try to find some cover that will hold fish, such as weeds, wood, or a combination of both. Rosy Red Minnows, Crappie Minnows, Red Spikes, White Spikes, and Wax Worms are all working. Tip-ups, Tip-downs, and Jigging have all been productive ways to catch fish for all of these species. We have an excellent selection of Live Bait in cold, running well-water and a good supply of ice fishing equipment to meet your needs.
Please let us know if we can be of service to you, as it would be our pleasure. Also, remember to save the dates for our Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, March 19th, and Saturday, July 15th, for the annual Summer Bash. There will be Big Sales/Promotions during both events with the ability to learn a lot simultaneously. We would love for you all to join us.
Well, that's it for this time around; we hope you have a wonderful Ice Fishing season. Again, please let us know if we can be of service to you.