Minnesota Fishing Report for December 28
Please remember that ice is never considered totally safe. The Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of 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 melting and refreezing makes ice less stable, especially in areas with springs or current. Anglers are asked to please call ahead for the most current conditions before venturing out. Anyone choosing to venture out must use extreme caution and check ice thickness often. Please note that the heavy snow that covers many lakes and rivers has hindered ice production.
Before heading out, consider learning how to make and use ice picks and claws by checking out the 1-minute video on the DNR website at
www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.htmlAnglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html==========================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are hitting jigging spoons and minnow heads in 26-30 feet of water in Sand Bay, on the north side of Grindstone Island, and in the Rainy Lake City area. Reports are not available for most of the main lake reefs due to thin ice conditions. The best northern pike action is taking place along the weedline at Black Bay, and in the Rainy Lake City area.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, fishing has been limited on the main lake, therefore walleye and crappie reports have been few. Northern pike continue to be taken from the shallows of most bays. Anglers and spearers are taking fish throughout the day.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, walleyes are being pulled from 19-24 foot depths along the shorelines and larger bays. During low-light hours, use glow jigs and small sucker minnows. The soft-bottomed bays are producing northern pike on sucker minnows and tip-ups worked in 9-15 feet of water. Sunfish are active in Larson, Greenwood and Pike bays. Once ice conditions allow, expect the main lake structure to begin producing more walleyes.
Ely
Crappie action has heated up, with fish measuring up to 15-inches coming from Low, One Pine and Farm lakes. Look for perch and walleyes during evening hours on Shagawa and Birch lakes. Ice thickness ranges from 4-10 inches on area lakes, with the thickest ice found in the wind-protected bays.
Duluth
Boulder Lake is giving up the majority of walleyes, with shiner minnows working best in 10-12 feet of water early and late in the day. Walleyes and northern pike remain active in 6 feet of water on Rice Lake. For crappies, hit 15 foot depths at the Highbanks area of Fish Lake during evening hours.
Grand Rapids
Big Splithand and Little Ball Club lakes are giving up crappies in depths of 20 feet. Crappies can be found suspended after dark over 40 feet of water in Sylvan Bay on the Mississippi River. For the most fish, use colored glow jigs and minnows. Some evening walleye action is being reported on Lake Pokegama and Big Cutfoot Sioux in depths of 12-30 feet. Northern pike are very active in the shallows of most area lakes. Anglers are now traveling around on ATVs and snowmobiles.
===========================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, set lines and shiner minnows, or gold and glow red jigging spoons are triggering walleyes in 20-26 feet of water along Pine Island. The morning and late afternoon hours have been best for the larger fish. Slide slightly deeper during the day for saugers. The ice is in good shape with more than one foot being reported.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, the east and south shores are producing consistent numbers of walleyes and northern pike in depths of 6-10 feet of water. Several northern pike in the 40-inch range were reported again this week. An occasional crappie is also being taken. Red glow and gold jigs tipped with minnows are working for all species. Small trucks are now heading out onto the ice, with reports of ice measuring 12-16 inches thick.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, northern pike action remains very good in the shallows along the west end. Walleyes are being taken during low-light periods on the sunken island near Big Muskie Bar in 20-24 feet of water. The perch bite is improving during midday hours in this area as well. Up to 10 inches of ice is reported in most areas of the lake.
Walker
On Leech Lake, Pine Point has 8-11 inches of ice, and some perch and walleyes are biting in 17-22 feet of water. The ice in Walker Bay is slowly improving; look to the first break in 18-20 feet for walleyes. Shingobee Bay is kicking out panfish in depths of 6-10 feet. Many of the area’s smaller lakes are producing panfish during the day, as well as some walleyes at sunset and beyond.
Hackensack
The 17-foot weed edges of Birch Lake are producing panfish, walleyes and northern pike. Set lines and shiner minnows are turning walleyes during evening hours on Pine Mountain Lake in 15-17 feet of water. On Pleasant Lake, sunnies are coming from 17-20 feet of water during the day, with walleyes being taken during low-light hours.
Park Rapids
The Millpond area on Straight Lake is giving up panfish in 10-18 feet of water. Fish Hook Lake is producing walleyes in 18-21 foot depths during low-light periods. Sucker minnows are turning northern pike in 14 foot depths on Big Mantrap Lake, and on the south end of Long Lake. On the Crow Wing Chain, bluegills are coming from 12-14 feet of water, and crappies can be found suspended over 40 feet of water during evening hours.
Detroit Lakes
Some evening crappie action is being reported on Little Detroit, Lizzie and Lida lakes in 12-20 feet of water. Walleyes remain active during low-light periods in 18-20 feet on Island, Franklin, Big Detroit and Little Detroit lakes. For sunfish, work the 10-12 foot weedlines of Floyd, Height of Land and Melissa lakes.
Battle Lake
The east end of West Battle Lake is producing walleyes in 16-22 feet of water. Hit depths of 16-20 feet of water on Otter Tail Lake for perch during the day, and walleyes at night. Sunfish continue to be pulled from 8-12 feet of water throughout area lakes, and especially on Wall, Deer, East Lost, and Blanche. Work the shallows of Clitherall and Otter Tail lakes for northern pike.
Alexandria
The best walleye action is taking place during evening hours in 12-22 feet of Miltona, Le Homme Dieu and Reno lakes. An evening crappie bite is being reported on the north end of Le Homme Dieu over 18-22 feet of water, and on Lake Darling in depths of 20 feet. Look to 12-14 foot depths on Little Mary Lake for sunnies and crappies.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, sunnies and crappies are hitting Eurolarvae on the north end in 18-24 feet of water. The larger fish tend to be suspended. Northern pike are extremely active in Town Bay and on Two Mile Bar in 6-20 feet of water, with anglers and spearers having success. An occasional walleye is being taken from the north end and from One Mile Bar on shiner minnows worked in depths of 18 feet during low-light hours.
Starbuck
Work 8-12 foot depths on the Starbuck and Glenwood ends of Lake Minnewaska for sunnies and crappies. The Glenwood end is also is giving up walleyes in 12-15 feet of water during evening hours. Numbers of northern pike are being taken on shiner minnows worked in 8-10 feet of water throughout the lake.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes and northern pike are hitting shiner minnows during low-light periods in 14-18 feet of water on Gull, North Long and Round lakes. Glow jigs tipped with rosy red minnows or waxworms are triggering panfish in 10-14 feet of water on Upper Gull and Margaret lakes.
Crosby
Walleyes are being pulled from 20-30 feet of water on Serpent Lake during evening hours. Crappies are being pulled 25 foot depths on Bay Lake, with northern pike being pulled from depths of 12-14 feet. Lakes such as Big Mahnomen, Black Hoof and Perry are giving up panfish in 12-18 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on tip-ups set along the weedlines of most lakes during midday hours.
Isle/Onamia
On east edge of Lake Mille Lacs, some perch are being taken from the bays on jigs and minnows worked over 12-16 feet of water. While ice depths vary on the main lake, ATVs and snowmobiles have been safe options in most areas. A few more walleyes are being taken during low-light hours from areas such as the Graveyard, Malone Island, The Boot, and Banana Flat. On the western edge of the lake, the 18-22 foot break of St. Alban’s Bay is giving up an few walleyes early and late in the day. Snowmobiles are traveling to the flats, and some walleye action is reported in depths of 22-28 feet on the Seven and Eight Mile flats. For the most fish, work the tops of the mud during low-light periods, and slide off the edges during midday hours.
Sauk Centre
Crappies continue to be found suspended over 25-40 feet of water in Red Barn Bay on Sauk Lake, and over depths of 24-26 feet on Lilly Lake. Maple, Sauk and Lilly lakes have been best for lots of sunfish. A few walleyes are being pulled from 20-22 feet of water on Big Swan Lake. And, look to depths of 6-12 feet on Sauk Lake for northern pike.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Horseshoe, Rice and Koronis lakes are producing a few walleyes in 14-22 feet of water. Look to Grand and Pearl lakes for sunfish in depths of 6-14 feet. Cedar Island Lake is giving up crappies over 25 foot depths. Northern pike remain active on most area lakes.
====================
TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Elk River/Zimmerman
Panfish action has picked up in 16-18 feet on Blue and Green lakes. Elk Lake is kicking out panfish and an occasional walleye in less than 11 feet of water. Some evening crappie action has been reported on Briggs and Pelican lakes. The shallows of Fremont Lake remain the area’s best option for northern pike action.
Annandale
Crappies can be found suspended over 15-20 feet of water on John and Pleasant lakes. The deeper holes of Clearwater Lake are holding crappies as well. Look for bluegills in depths of 10-12 feet on Little Maple, Clearwater and John lakes. Walleye reports have been sporadic, with an occasional fish coming from depths of 18-24 feet on Clearwater Lake during evening hours.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, Waconia Bay offers the best ice and the best fishing. A mixed bag of walleyes, northern pike and sunfish are being pulled from 7-13 feet of water throughout the bay. The main lake reefs are now receiving some angling activity, however anglers must be aware that ice depths vary greatly.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the larger bays continue to produce walleyes during low-light periods in 20-25 feet of water. Look for northern pike using sucker minnows in the channels, while panfish can be found on the weedlines of North Arm and Crystal bays. Shiner minnows are producing northern pike and a few walleyes in depths of 26 feet on Medicine Lake.
Prior Lake/West Metro
Lake Parley is giving up crappies in 10 feet of water during evening hours. On Prior Lake, you’ll find sunfish and crappies biting in 12 foot depths. Walleye action is limited, but northern pike have started biting along the weedlines of many lakes, and especially on Wasserman.
Chisago City
Sunrise Lake continues to produce crappies and northern pike along the 8-12 foot weedlines. The south end of Chisago Lake is kicking out northern pike and sunfish in depths of 8-10 feet. North Center Lake is giving up sunfish. For walleyes, hit 12-18 foot depths on South Lindstrom Lake and the north end of North Center Lake early and late in the day.
Forest Lake
The east side of Green Lake is producing walleyes in 20 feet of water. Steady crappie action is being reported on Green Lake in depths of 8-10 feet. The weedlines of Green Lake are holding northern pike. On Forest and Clear lakes, hit 15-20 feet of water during evening hours using shiner minnows for walleyes. On Big Marine Lake, crappie and walleye activity has been good during evening hours in 20 feet of water.
White Bear/Northeast Metro
White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes continue to provide the best walleye action, especially during low-light hours in 20-25 feet of water. At Demontreville Lake, anglers are catching northern pike, bass and sunfish in depths 10-14 feet. Northern pike seem to be active along the weedlines of most lakes.
================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Faribault
Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows worked in 12-14 feet on Shields Lake. On Kelley Dudley Lake, sunfish and northern pike are being caught along the weedlines. The deep hole of Lake Mazaska continues to produce crappies during low-light periods, with colored glow jigs working best. For a few walleyes, check out the 15 foot break on Roberds Lake early and late in the day.
Mankato
Lake Washington is giving up lots of sunnies and crappies in 13 feet of water. An evening crappie bite is being reported in the deep hole of Duck Lake by anglers using minnows. Northern pike are active in depths of 7-10 feet on Big Jefferson Lake. Wita Lake continues to produce a few walleyes in 5-7 feet of water. Up to 12 inches of ice is being reported throughout the area.
Fairmont
Hall Lake has been best for consistent crappie action, especially in 20 feet of water. Shiners and fathead minnows are producing walleyes on Cedar Lake during evening hours in depths of 10 feet. On Long Lake, anglers are catching walleyes and northern pike early and late in the day on set lines and shiner minnows.
Willmar
Although water depths vary, lakes such as Long, Green, Diamond, Florida, Nest and Andrew are all producing walleyes during low-light hours. A few sunfish are coming from Norway and Games lakes. Crappies are being pulled from Eagle Lake during low-light hours. Northern pike are active in the shallows of Long, Green and Calhoun lakes.
Ortonville
On Big Stone Lake, hit 12-14 foot depths at The Meadowbrook, Hartford Beach, and island areas for perch and walleyes. Long Tom Lake is producing walleyes and few crappies in 10 feet of water. Artichoke Lake is giving up a few crappies during evening hours.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
