Minocqua, Lac du Flambeau, St Germain, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters Wisconsin open water and Ice Fishing Report

Thursday 2/20/25

NOTICE: Our Facebook Page got hacked and stolen. We are working with Facebook to get control of our page back. Until then please understand we have no control over what is released from that page.

The ultra fantastic ice conditions we have in the northwoods continues.  Ice is still getting thicker so more and more extensions are being purchased and heading out the door.  We've had more than one report of ice over 3 feet.   About the only spot that folks are getting their vehicle stuck in are at the entry points.  The wind blows the snow up against the banks and then the vehicles create ruts getting out.  Be careful and make sure your cell phones are working in case you do get stuck (right Lyle?).

The overall fishing has been an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.  Windows are small though and not all the windows are light dependent. Some panfish bites have been in the middle of the day, again, for short periods. 

For panfish, the jigs need to be the smallest you can feel.  Tungsten works well here.  Tip them with bugs and plastics that will move or flutter constantly.  We have a new line of  hybrid plastics called Timber Chippers by Hardcore Scripture Outdoors located in the in the U.P.  Made to compete with Beavertails and Chena Bait, they are very unique in the presentation.  Give 'em a try.  Another forgotten favorite is Clam's Silkie Jig Trailers.  You can put these on any jig or spoon and the threads will add increased action to your bait.

Hole hoppers are still doing well on the flutter spoons and flashers.  They are best used without any bait on them that would ruin their natural erratic motions.  If you like to tip your spoons with bugs or minnow heads nothing beats Swedish Pimples and Kastmaster type baits.  One treble hook at one end of the lure with allow the lure to move like it should even tipped with bait.

Still finding most of the fish on green weed edges, rock to mud transitions and other structure such as logs, unwater brush and big boulders.  As always, find the bait then you'll have found the fish.

Get out there while the getting is good.  As we move towards ice-out the fishing will continue to improve as those finned varmints will continue to feed more on their way to the spawn.  I know we're looking a long way down the road but hey...

------------

Hey, we got some pretty good end of season sales going on right now:

All Hubs and Shacks left are Specially Priced
LIVESCOPE parts and bundles are selling at INCREDIBLE Discounts up to $900 off
CLAM ICEARMOR SUITES and CLOTHING - up to 50% off
STRIKEMASTER CLOTHING - only $99 for parkas and or bibs
Most AUGERS from STRIKEMASTER, ION & ESKIMO come with extra stuff like batteries and blades and have been marked WAY down. 

Right now for live bait we have Mousees, Wax worms, Red, White and Multi-Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads, Walleye Suckers, Blacktail Chubs, Rosie Reds, Northern Bait, Milwaukee Shiners, Medium and Large River and Golden Shiners and Large Local Shiners.

And since we only deal with trappers and growers, you get the freshest product while our prices are the lowest around, by a lot!

HOURS:
Monday thru Friday - 6am to 6pm
Saturday & Sunday - 6am to 5pm

Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to ease into retirement.  WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!  If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751.  We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods.