December 31, 2009 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report

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Anglers are venturing out onto the ice throughout Minnesota. Please note that the ice is covered with large amounts of snow in some areas of the state, and this heavy snowcover can cause lake ice to turn to slush, making travel difficult.- please contact area visitors bureaus to obtain the most current conditions before traveling.

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 call ahead for the most current ice conditions - ice is never considered totally safe.

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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Northeast Minnesota

International Falls

Ice fishing has been very good on Rainy Lake, with anglers reporting large walleye coming in on minnows, especially when worked in Sand Bay where the ice road is plowed. The best bet has been to fish midway on the submerged reefs. Walleye have been most active early and late in the day. Crappie action has also been good. Snowmobile trails are being groomed and the recent snowfall should improve riding conditions considerably. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

After the recent 16-plus inches of snow, Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan have a thick layer of ice covered by a lot of snow. Anglers report very little slush. For the most walleyes, use a small glow jig tipped with a minnow at roughly 30 feet of water, especially at Ash River, between the Martin Islands, at the mouth of Lost Lake, and at the opening at Blind Ash Bay. The trail groomers are out in force on the land trails, and the National Park Service will be checking Kabetogama carefully for ice thickness prior to lake grooming operations. For more information on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, and the surrounding area, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

The ice conditions in the Ely area are the best they've been in years. The ice is covered in just 6 inches of snow, allowing ice totals to continue to grow as night time temperatures remain at or below zero. The ice shack villages are growing daily, and most anglers are driving out onto the ice. On Shagawa Lake, there were sixty shacks on Tuesday night, December 29. Walleye action has been good, with most anglers catching at least a couple of fish. Minnows fished under a slip bobber or buckshot spoons tipped with a minnow head have been best. For the most fish, hit the drops and humps in 12-25 feet of water. Birch lake near the city of Babbitt recently produced a nice northern pike weighing roughly twelve pounds. The fish was caught near the rice beds on a large sucker minnow in 5 feet of water. To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Cook & Tower/Lake Vermilion

A fresh coating of snow on good ice has created easy travel conditions for most of the Lake Vermilion. The last hour of light has been best for a few walleyes, but the window of time is surprisingly short. The key is to stay mobile, work the structure, and vary your depths. Northern pike action has been decent, with fish being pulled from Norwegian, Larson and Wolf bays on the west end of the lake. Anglers are also taking some fish from Blackduck, Pelican and Susan lakes. Trails are being groomed and the lakes have been excellent for snowmobile travel. To find out more, check out www.lakevermilionresorts.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Lake of the Woods is a winter wonderland for anglers and snowmobilers. The ice is more than 12 inches thick at the Northwest Angle and Islands area. Fish are biting in 20-25 feet of water on gold and pink jigs tipped with a chub. Ice houses are plentiful on Lake of the Woods, and ice roads are now open to bombardiers and larger vehicles. Lots of action is taking place west of Pine Island and north of the Morris Point Gap. There has been an abundance of saugers coming from roughly 27 feet of water on anything that glows and is tipped with a live minnow or frozen shiner. A few walleye continue to be pulled from the shallower depths during late afternoon hours. For the most continuous action, however, hit the deeper waters. On the Rainy River, anglers are now driving out in the Clementson area, with lots of fish being taken during evening hours. Please be sure to call ahead for the most current ice road conditions, and always keep safety first! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Heavy snow has made travel on most area lakes difficult. There was a good base of 10-14 inches of ice on most lakes before the snow started to fall. Now there is more than a foot of snow, with some deeper drifts, covering most of the ice. A layer of slush is forming on many lakes since the ice is not thick enough to support the weight of the snow. Vehicle travel is only possible in a few areas, with anglers having to stick to the established trails and plowed roads on the ice. The preferred mode of travel on the lakes is snowmobile or track vehicle. ATV's may be able to access more areas than four wheel drive vehicles if they can stay on top of the snow and avoid getting stuck. The ideal situation would be to pull a portable fish house behind a snowmobile with a GPS so it is possible to locate hot spots. Walleye and perch anglers have been doing fairly well on lakes such as Winnibigoshish, Leech, Bemidji and Cass, but anglers must avoid areas with current or possible thin ice. The best walleye action has been in 22-30 feet of water in most area lakes, with the best bite occurring during morning and evening hours, and after dark on the clear water lakes. Panfish anglers are doing well in the deeper waters of many of the smaller area lakes. Drill a series of test holes to find the best spot. Sonar has been a big help for panfish anglers since this allows them to see the suspended fish and place their bait at the correct depth. For area lodging, attractions, and other travel information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker/Leech Lake

Anglers report taking some nice perch and walleyes from various parts of Leech Lake. In the Sand Point area at the north end of Walker Bay, anglers are pulling out lots of northern pike, walleyes and perch, along with an occasional sunfish, crappie, and bass. Spearers are taking their limits of northern pike. Please use caution when you venture out. The ice thickness on each lake, and even different locations on the same lake, can vary immensely. For more information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

The snow-covered ice has made travel somewhat difficult on Lake Miltona. Some anglers have been able to get around despite the heavy snow, however most are having to stay on the plowed roads. The ice is roughly 9 -11 inches thick. There are some reports of good sunny and crappie fishing in 8-12 feet of water when using a waxworm or crappie minnow. Walleye anglers report that the best bite has been during evening hours and into the night, especially in depths of 15-22 feet. To find out more. dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Lake Mille Lacs ice is in good condition. Most resorts are setting up houses and the roads are plowed to the mud flats. While there is plenty of ice, the abundance of snow makes it much harder to get around. The rentals are ready - come check it out! For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Area Lakes

The big snow storm on December 24 slowed down some of the recent activity on area lakes. At present, there is 6-12 inches of ice below a foot of snow. While the fish seem to be biting on almost every lake in the county, you must use caution due to the abundant snow and slush covering the ice on the lakes. Before drilling a hole, stay on top of the snow and drill down - do not dig down to the ice and drill since you will get wet. Most anglers are heading out onto the lakes on foot or by snowmobile. The weight of a truck can be supported in some places, however you should only drive out where there is already a road or path. Please use caution when venturing out. To learn more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Waconia

The snow has been plowed on Lake Waconia to Waconia Bay, and to the hole between the marinas and Cemetery Reef, making it easier for anglers to access the ice. Ice thickness ranges from 10-14 inches in these areas. There will be slush in many locations and heavy snow off the roads - vehicles are not being used to access any other areas of the lake at this time. Ice thickness is variable north of Pillsbury Reef and near Harm's Point. While the action has been moderate, these areas have the most potential for walleyes. Small shiners and fatheads have been working best, especially in depths of 14-20 feet. Most of the sunnies and crappies have been smaller than normal, and the perch have been pesky. For the most panfish, locate weeds in 10-14 feet of water. For further information, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota

No reports are currently available for this region of the state.

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