Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update Feb. 7, 2014 Many fish are moving out of the deepest parts of the lakes, and can be found feeding in more moderate depths. Walleyes and crappies have been most active during morning and evening hours, while perch, sunfish and northern pike have been more active during the day. The slush has solidified in most areas, and ice conditions are improving. The best part of the ice fishing season is yet to come, with anglers also excited for next week's 20-degree temperatures!
Refresh your knowledge of ice safety guidelines on the Minnesota DNR's website, and remember to check ice conditions often. Please remember that temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the stability of ice which could be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. It is important to check ice depth at least every 150 feet. According to the Minnesota DNR, 4 inches of new, clear ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. A minimum of 5 inches is recommended for snowmobiles and ATV's, and at least 8-12 inches is advised for cars and small trucks. Items recommended for checking ice thickness include an ice chisel, ice auger, cordless drill and a tape measure. Anglers heading out onto the ice should also carry ice claws and a long rope, and wear a floatation device and ice cleats. Consult with a local bait shop or lakeside resort for the most current ice conditions.
The fishing season for walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass remains open through Feb. 23, 2014. Smallmouth bass, however, are catch-and-release only through Feb. 23. The winter season for lake trout within the BWCA runs Jan. 4 through March 31, 2014; outside of the BWCA, Jan. 18-March 31, 2014.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
More Rainy Lake anglers are hitting areas around Dryweed Island due to the recent extension of the Voyageurs National Park Service ice road. There are also a fair number of anglers sticking with Sand Bay. The best bite has been within one hour of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the biggest walleye are coming from the Dryweed Island area. The crappie bite has been sporadic around Sand Bay. Northern pike anglers continue to do well around Rainy Lake City. Colored jigs with minnows are working well for walleyes; large minnows on a bare hook have been best for northern pike. Area snowmobile trails are in great shape and all of the lake surface trails in the park are staked and open. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The current and upcoming stable weather patterns are expected to favor anglers. On lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, the walleye, perch and sauger bite has been holding up fairly well. Northern pike are showing up in both the shallow and deep waters, and they have been aggressive. Live bait is typically the preferred bait choice for winter fishing. Use your live bait on a glow jig, with peepers, eye drops and small rattle baits also getting action. Perch have been hanging near the bottom, with the walleye and sauger hovering a few feet above the bottom. The most successful anglers have been fishing depths of 26-35 feet of water. There are good, accessible areas off the ice road, and those with portables will find good sites off the snowmobile trails. Don't forget your tip-ups. Area trails are staked and well-groomed, and the ice road is plowed from the Kabetogama Visitor Center to the Ash River Visitor Center. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Heavy snow and slush have hindered travel in some areas. Still, the walleye bite remains consistent. Anglers are taking fish on buckshots and forage minnow spoons tipped with a minnow head; dead-sticking minnows under a bobber is perhaps the easiest way to entice fish. Trout action remains fairly steady with nice catches of rainbow trout coming from area lakes. For the most fish, use small, dark jigs such as black ants tipped with wax worms. Lake trout reports have also dwindled, again, likely due to ice conditions hindering travel to popular spots. Northern pike anglers are taking some fish when using either suckers or ciscoes. Be sure to check out the Ely Winter Festival held Feb. 6-16. Highlights include the International Snow Sculpting Symposium, the Ely ArtWalk, Historic Voyageur Encampment, Snowball Winterfest Dance, an arts & crafts fair, sled dog rides, open houses at the Wolf Center, Bear Center and Dorothy Molter Museum, concerts, and much more! 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgGrand Rapids
As the temperatures rose above zero and the snow pack firmed, perch anglers found fishing to be good. Some sorting has still been necessary. Since minnows have been best, and the minnow forage have been moving, a "run and gun" approach has helped. As the perch move into the deeper water saddles with soft spots in the bottom to feed on larvae and bug hatches, they will become more stationary; for now, it is best to "chase" the fish. Don't overlook the shallows, however, as some perch schools are still biting there. Perch tend to drop off into deeper water. Anglers should check the inside turns and contour differences adjacent to deep water near the shoreline and mid-lake structure. Panfish can still be found in and around the weeds in 9-14 feet of water, but some are starting to head for deeper holes off the sharp drops. Look for them first on the rims of the deep holes. Northern pike and walleyes remain active, with the majority of fish taken during low light conditions such as during early morning and evening hours, as well as on cloudy days. Check the shoreline to mid-lake structure in depths of 18-26 feet of water. Snow cover on area lakes still varies, and there are some wind-blown drifts and hard packed snow making it best to access the lakes using well plowed and maintained roads out of the resorts. On the larger lakes such as Winnie, Bowstring and Pokegama, this is not only the easiest way to get to your fishing location, it is the best way to get off the lakes. More snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides are accessing the lakes in order to get off the beaten path. And trail conditions are great! 800-355-9740;
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers are having success working depths of 27-34 feet of water on Lake of the Woods, with lures and electronics offering the greatest success. The south end of the lake is producing good numbers of sauger along with the walleyes. The best colors are currently gold, glow red, pink and orange. Some anglers are starting to fish the mid-lake reefs. Try a jigging line in one hole, and a dead stick and live minnow 6 feet off the bottom in another hole. Anglers fishing the Rainy River around Baudette and Clementson are reporting a great morning and evening bite. Walleye are being taken near the airport, Baudette Bay, Hattie's Hole and Clementson Bay. Depths of 19-21 feet have offered the most consistent bite. Pike are active in the bays. Up at the Northwest Angle, resorts are trying new locations, with some in the deep mud and some on the structure. A nice bite continues to come from anglers fishing 23-28 feet of water. Walleye and sauger, along with some jumbo perch, are being taken. Anglers using portables are reporting some very large crappies. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The ice conditions continue to improve, and most of the slush has solidified. The best part of the ice fishing season is yet to come. The lakes are still in their mid-winter patterns, with the snow cover and opaque ice blocking much of the sunlight from penetrating through the ice. Many of the fish have been moving out of the deepest parts of the lakes to more moderate depths. Walleyes and crappies have been most active in the mornings and evenings, while perch, sunfish and northern pike have been more active during the day. Walleyes usually travel in packs and will access structure along the steepest breaks during the winter, with the fish staying close to their main food source. Many walleye anglers like to use jigging spoons for walleyes during the winter. Neutral colors like gold and silver often work better during the day, while lures in colors that glow usually work better during low light periods. A minnow head or half of a minnow often works well on a jigging spoon. A smaller piece of bait can enhance the action of the lure; dangle a piece of bait under the spoon and shake it at the fish. Jigging minnows and blade baits do not work as well when tipped with a minnow or even a piece of minnow because the bait inhibits the action of the lure. If anglers want to add live bait to jigging minnows or blade baits, it is usually best to use a couple of eurolarvae on one of the treble hooks. Anglers have been finding perch, crappies and sunfish along the edge of the breakline or on saddles or other flats between structure. Most of panfish have left the deep waters and have been feeding in more moderate depths. Don't miss the Lake Bemidji Winter Festival held throughout the city of Bemidji, Feb. 7 & 8, with highlights such as the Winter Fishing Challenge, Brrrmidji Plunge, Great Chowhound Chili Feed, Cornhole Tourney, 2nd Saturday Art Gala, Daddy/Daughter dance, and a performance by The Band Perry. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
Anglers have been able to travel "off-road" in more areas on Lake Winnibigoshish this week. Roads are improving throughout the lake, with roughly 60-70 percent of the lake now accessible. Check in with the resort you're staying at for road maps and directions. Northern pike remain very aggressive. Anglers working the top edges in 16-19 feet of water with set tip-ups 3-5 feet up from the bottom are taking lots of fish from the main lake bars. Perch are still sporadic, with some fish coming from 21-24 feet of water off the drops. Expect to do some sorting. Walleye action has slowed, however, some humps are producing fish between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jigging spoons and minnow heads are working best. For perch, smaller presentations have been best, especially in gold. The ice measures 18-22 inches in most areas. Very little slush remains, unless you hit an area with a new crack. The lowest parts of the crack typically have the most slush.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker -Leech Lake
Leech Lake is giving up a lot of nice walleyes, including some measuring 23-26 inches, and many 13-17 inch eating-size fish. While fishing can slow this time of year, those that were persistent caught lots of fish. The deeper, underwater humps in 33-41 feet of water are the place to be. The ice on Walker Bay is so thick that auger extensions have been needed. One area out in the middle of Walker Bay measured 27-29 inches thick. Other area lakes now have ice over 30 inches thick! For the most fish, try using smaller hooks, smaller minnows, or portions of smaller minnows. Hooks that glow or even rattle are a wise choice. Be sure to slow down the presentation, or just dead stick the bait. Rattle wheels with small fatheads worked well at a variety of locations, even during daylight hours. 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
A trip out onto the ice has been well worth it, despite the cold temperatures. Anglers catching the largest quantity of walleyes are fishing 22-26 feet of water between 6:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. The peak afternoon bite is from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Deep running points have been best for portable fish houses. Spoons that glow with do the trick! Big Sand Lake has been producing some above-average size walleyes. Set up on the main bar on the narrowest part of the "camel back," or at the bar on the northeast side where Emma Lake drains into Big Sand Lake. Be mindful of the current as it makes for a section of open water and unsafe ice; check ice thickness as you go. Little Sand Lake has been good on the northeast arm on the west side of the bar that comes almost all the way across the bay. The crappie bite has been picking up steam, with anglers doing well using jigs tipped with waxworms. Most of these fish are suspended 15 feet down over 20-40 feet of water. Shipman, South Twin, Big Stoney and Mantrap lakes are currently the crappie hotspots. 800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
The Detroit Lakes area will host three ice fishing derbies this weekend. Lakes Ida and Lida will offer derbies for youth, and Little Detroit will be the site of the Poles 'N Holes Derby on Saturday, Feb. 8. The walleye bite has been slow. Panfish have been the most active. Crappies can be found suspended at 20-25 feet over 30-35 feet of water. Fish can also be found in the basin areas or at the edges and pockets of the shallower weeds. Jigs or jigging spoons tipped with minnows, waxworms or plastics, are producing the most fish. Sunfish remain active in the shallow weed areas and can be caught during daylight hours. Northern pike action has picked up, with fish hitting larger minnows in 8-14 feet of water. Tip-ups or aggressive jigging with spoons are both producing fish. Please note that traveling off roads or trails in vehicles is not recommended due to the amount of snow and drifting. Some slush issues are also present on some lakes due to the large amount of snow. Be sure to check out Polar Fest offered Feb. 7-16 in the city of Detroit Lakes, with three different fishing derbies, as well as a Polar Plunge, the Freeze Your Buns 5K, theatre performances, Daddy's Little Sweetheart Dance, family Winter Olympics games, The Polar Putt, hockey tourneys, Polaritaville Dance, Skating with Polar Pete, and spectacular frozen fireworks at the beach! 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
Although a lot of anglers are tired of the challenging lake conditions, extreme cold temperatures and high propane costs, the walleye bite has picked up in the past week. As the day lengthens, fish species change their patterns, and most of the changes have been positive. Anglers still need to search a bit to find the fish. Panfish are still biting in most Otter Tail Lakes Country lakes. Look for flat areas in 9-12 feet of water around standing vegetation, and use tiny spoons for the most fish; orange and green seem to work in any water clarity. Be sure and tip one of the treble hooks with a wax worm or piece of berkley gulp. These small spoons attract fish or all sizes and shapes, and you will know quickly if the fish are around. If you catch a northern pike or bass while searching a weed flat for panfish, then you're getting close to a great location since predator fish are always very near the panfish. Look for walleye in depths of 17-22 and 26-30 feet using fatheads and golden shiners. Northern pike can be found in roughly 15 feet of water when using sucker minnows. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comPine River Area Lakes
Although ice on many lakes remains rough, and slush can still be found at the pressure ridges, anglers continue to venture out on the plowed roads. Reports indicate that they are enjoying lots of success with the panfish and northern pike. Walleye action has definitely slowed, and these fish have dropped to mid-winter levels of 25-50 foot depths in some lakes. High pressure weather systems have stymied fish action, but when the barometer is moving up or down, fish have become more active. Small ice flies and waxworms, mousies or glow worms are working for both sunnies and crappies. Northern pike are hitting mid-size sucker minnows or golden shiners when presented on a vertical jig. As the weather turns warmer, look for the perch bite to increase. March is the magic month for big perch on lakes such as Leech, Winnie and Woman. 800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comBrainerd Lakes Area
The walleyes are coming from deeper depths this week. Anglers are having the most success using jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head in 25-35 feet of water; keep a setline nearby as these often work best together. Crappies and sunnies are in the same holding pattern, responding best to jigs with a waxworm. It helps to have a live crappie minnows available since a minnow under a bobber will often capture the largest ones! On Gull Lake, driving conditions have been a bit rough, with drifts on some of the plowed roads. 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
This week has been by far the slowest on Lake Mille Lacs this season. Whether due to cold temperatures, sluggish fish, high propane prices or just the winter doldrums, the lake has been very quiet. Anglers that have ventured out report some daytime walleyes coming from the flats, a few "overnight" walleyes coming from the shallow rocks, and lots of northern pike. Of course, swarms of young-of-the-year perch were also reported. Since the best locations vary by the day, the bite is structure related, yet no structure seems to be out-producing the other. 888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Waconia/Lake Waconia
The lake roads are open on Lake Waconia, with access to Waconia Bay, Center Reef, Pillsbury Reef, Wagner's Bay and Cemetery Reef, and there are plowed areas along the road to exit off. Please note that off-road travel is getting more difficult, especially when pulling a wheel house. Make sure you have a capable four-wheel drive and a shovel if venturing too far off the plowed roads. The fishing remains good. Northern pike continue to hit small- and medium-size sucker minnows worked along the weed edges of Waconia Bay, Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef--any good weed edge should produce pike. Crappies and sunnies remain active along the weed edges during the day. The areas producing pike are also giving up panfish. The deeper waters of Wagner's Bay continue to produce lots of crappies during late afternoon and evening hours. 952-442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, Feb. 6, most streams are running clear and low. Middle Branch Whitewater in the area of the County Road 9 access is reported to be free of shelf ice. Anglers that get to a trout stream early enough can watch steam rising over the water. Everyone is asked to please use caution and play it safe. Anglers are looking forward to next week when temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-20's or better! As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.com
