Explore Minnesota Fishing Report: January 22, 2009

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Explore Minnesota Fishing Report: January 22, 2009

Last week’s frigid temperatures have past, and anglers report good fishing action throughout the state.

Anglers choosing to venture out are encouraged to call ahead for the most current ice conditions. Please note that the Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of new, clear ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles and ATV’s, and 8-12 inches of new, clear ice for cars and small trucks. Please note that ice is never considered totally safe. For more on ice thickness guidelines and ice safety tips, check out Ice Thickness Guidelines by the Department of Natural Resources website.

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales

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Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

Two 30-inch walleyes were taken over the last few days! Lots of fish have been biting near Birch Point and the American Narrows. Walleye anglers are having the most success using jigs tipped with minnows. Large northern pike are attacking large minnows on a bare hook. Early morning hours seem to be the best, with most fish being taken from roughly 30 feet of water. While snowmobiles remain the best mode of travel, there are roads plowed from the Rainy Lake Marina and Tilson Bay access. A sled will allow you access to some other good fishing holes further east. Only the Green Lake Trail, from Black Bay to Ash River, is currently open and staked. Snowmobile trails, in general, are in excellent condition. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Anglers are beginning to venture out onto Lake Kabetogama now that temperatures have become more moderate. The slush, however, continues to make travel difficult. Riders should be cautious on the ice and be prepared for slushy conditions. Cooler temperatures are in the forecast, which may help solidify some of the slush, making travel to favorite hot spots less challenging. Aside from one walleye measuring over 31-inches, no other reports are available this week.

Ely

Anglers are reporting a good trout fishing opener on some area lakes. Rainbow trout are being taken from Tofte, Miners, High and Dry lakes, with a few brookies and splake mixed in. Most fish are coming in on small jigs tipped with waxworms, or on a bare hook or jig tipped with a dead minnow. Depths of 8-20 feet of water have been best. While the lake trout season started out slowly on Burntside and Snowbank lakes, it seems to be improving. For the most fish, hit 45-55 feet of water using a ciscoe under a tip-up, or a large jig tipped with a rainbow. Walleye action has been good on Shagawa Lake, but a lot of anglers have already pulled their houses off the ice. The best approach has been a rainbow or chub working in 12-20 feet of water. While in Ely, stop in at one of the bait shops for the most current conditions. For further information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth

The recent deep freeze caused a slow down in fishing action, and few walleye reports are available. Anglers with underwater cameras that ventured out onto the St. Louis River and Bay saw more fish than they caught. Boy Scout Landing and across the bay from Barkers are the best fishing holes at this time. Pike Lake is giving up some nice 11- to 15-inch crappies in 19-25 feet of water. Perch are very active on Pike Lake during the day, and this has been an excellent place to take the kids for an exciting time out on the ice, as well as some nice eating-size fish. Waxworms and minnows remain the bait of choice. Anglers are asked to please contact the local bait shops for the most current conditions. To learn more, dial 1-800-438-5884, or check out www.visitduluth.com
Northcentral/West Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Fishing action remains steady on Lake of the Woods. Anglers are moving their houses over 24-34 feet of water, with most fish found suspended 5-10 feet off the bottom. Electronic fish locators have been very helpful in finding active fish. The majority of catches have consisted of mostly eating-sized walleye and sauger, but there have also been reports of some huge walleyes being taken. The mid-day bite has strengthened, and frozen shiners continue to be popular. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, a strong bite is also being reported. The hot spot has been depths of 20-26 feet at the reefs around Oak Island. The snowmobile lake trails have all been groomed and are in very good to excellent condition–riders and anglers are having a blast out on the ice! For more information, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

The larger area lakes are receiving the most fishing pressure since they have the most established ice roads. Off-road travel is still limited in most areas due to the deep snow. Some of the slush covering the ice has frozen, so anglers with snowmobiles or track vehicles are able to access a greater number of fishing spots on the lakes. On Lake Bemidji, anglers are catching walleyes off the sides of the structure, with the best action taking place during morning and evening hours in 16-24 feet of water. There are groups of houses in front of all the public accesses, with roads on the ice maintained by anglers with stationary houses. Many of the smaller area lakes are producing sunfish and crappies, with fish being pulled from over the mud bottom areas at the edge of structure or between structure. Since most of the zooplankton and insects hatch out of the mud, anglers wanting panfish usually have the best success fishing on the edge where hard bottom turns to mud. To the north, Upper Red Lake continues to receive a lot of fishing pressure. Many anglers are fishing further from shore, over 13-15 feet of water. There is a good chance for action during the day, with peak action occurring during morning and evening hours. Anglers are having success using glowing jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head on one line, and a bobber rig with a lively minnow on the second line for the less aggressive fish. The crappie bite on Upper Red Lake has been inconsistent, however some anglers are catching a few after dark. For the most fish, use a bobber and minnow, with some anglers also doing well using waxworms or eurolarvae on small ice jigs. And at nearby Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes are coming off the sides of the larger bars and humps in 18-26 feet of water during morning and evening hours. Some perch action is being reported in many of the same areas during the day in 26-32 feet of water. For perch, use a smaller jigging spoon, or try a 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a grub or minnow head. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker/Leech Lake

The ice conditions are good throughout the Leech Lake area, with ice measuring at least 16 inches thick. Anglers are catching fish on a daily basis. The panfish lakes are producing nice crappies and sunnies. Northern pike angling and spearing have both produced limits of fish each day. At Walker Bay, anglers are reporting lots of walleyes, with many in the 9- to 12-inch and 14- to 16-inch range. Quite a few slot-sized fish are also being reported. For more information, dial 218/547-1313, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Park Rapids

Plows continue to open roads on area lakes, allowing for easier access and travel. Last week’s sub-zero temperatures also helped firm up some of the slush. Walleye action has been sporadic. While Fish Hook and Long lakes are giving up some nice fish, the most active fish have been on the smaller side. A smaller minnow, such as a fathead, has been best, especially for the finicky fish. The panfish continue to bite with a vengeance on Fish Hook Lake, the Crow Wing Chain, and many other smaller area lakes. Many anglers are luring these fish using flashy spoons. Once fish show up on the sonar, just drop a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm or larvae. The pre-dark crappie bite has been good, with fish also being taken during morning and mid-afternoon hours when fishing the shallows. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a crappie minnow or waxworm. Northern pike remain aggressive, and can usually be found near areas holding panfish. Anglers are having success hanging a large sucker minnow beneath a properly adjusted tip-up, as well as using life-like artificial baits. Spearing methods are also producing fish. And, don’t forget the 11th Annual American Legion Community Fishing Contest held on Fish Hook Lake on Saturday, February 7, with over $100,000 in prizes to be given away, including a new truck and an Ice Castle fish house! To find out more, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Fishing has been especially good for anglers that remain mobile, and areas over deeper water seem to be best for the walleyes. Hit the mud flats during morning hours, and check out the reefs during evening hours. Once you locate a “cloud” of bait fish, either move over slightly deeper waters or drop a line using a larger bait-spoon. Perch action is inconsistent, but seems to improve each week. For some jumbo perch, hit the deeper edges of the rock reefs using a rattle spoon–clown-colored when sunny, glow when cloudy. For bait, try a fathead or a minnow head. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com
Twin Cities vicinity

White Bear Lake

White Bear Lake is once again looking like a fish house village. Anglers are catching crappies measuring up to 14-inches on demon glow jigs tipped with a minnow or eurolarvae. Some nice-sized walleyes, weighing up to 7 1/2-pounds, are coming in on fatheads and shiners. Jumbo perch are also being taken. The best bite has been from 4:00pm until 7:00pm over 12-21 feet of water. Northern pike are active in depths of 8-10 feet, with sucker minnows working best. To learn more, contact Explore White Bear at 651/429-5393, or www.explorewhitebear.org
Southern Minnesota

Willmar

Green Lake is producing lots of walleyes, crappies and sunnies. Anglers are taking quite a few walleyes, perch and crappies from Eagle Lake. On Willmar Lake, fish are being pulled from areas near the radio station. The walleyes and crappies have been most active during late afternoon and evening hours. Sunfish remain very active throughout the day. To find out more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com


 “The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.”