Minnesota Fishing Report 2.15.08
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.
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, the evening hours continue to be productive for walleyes and northern pike in 8-14 feet of water near Rainy Lake City. Birch Point is giving up walleyes in depths of 30-40 feet, as is the east end from Dryweed Island to the Brule Channel in 36-40 feet of water. On the Canadian side, lake trout action has slowed, but the Northwest Bay is kicking out quite a few slab crappies.
Grand Rapids
Big Splithand, Little Splithand, and the north end of Bowstring Lake have been good for crappies in 22-28 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in depths of 14-22 feet on Wabana, Big Trout and Pokegama lakes. Bass Lake remains the area’s best bet for bluegills, with fish being pulled from 10-18 feet of water. Lake trout can be found suspended on Pit Lake over depths of 50-60 feet.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, a mixed bag of walleyes, sauger and jumbo perch is being taken from 26-34 feet of water on small glow jigs and minnows. Some of the better lcoations this week include the area near Martin Islands, Center Reef, Lost Lake Bay, and the mouth of the Ash River. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing northern pike throughout the bays and at the structure.
Ely
Walleye and crappie action has been limited due to the cold temperatures. A few lake trout anglers are having success using jigging spoons and minnows. Work the deep water on Burntside, Knife Miners and Tofte lakes for the best numbers, with fish found suspended.
Grand Marais
Brook trout remain active on Carrot Lake in 12 feet of water. Small jigs and waxworms, or small jigging spoons are working best. Shiner minnows, ciscoes, chubs and spoons are all providing steady lake trout action in depths of 45-55 feet. Lakes to check out this week include Gunflint, East Bearskin, Loon and Clearwater. Splake reports have been limited in recent days.
Duluth
Few fishing reports are available due to recent cold temperatures. Most lakes continue to produce northern pike, but Rice Lake has been best for the largest fish, especially in 7 feet of water. Ice has started to form in the Duluth area of Lake Superior, and there’s a possibility that anglers may be able to fish for herring and salmon here soon.
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Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, walleyes, sauger and jumbo perch are coming from 32-34 feet of water roughly five- to seven-miles off shore. Further north, near Garden Island, rattle jigs are turning walleyes and sauger. Around Rocky Point, walleyes are coming from depths of 19 feet. Pink and white jigs have been best for walleyes and northern pike when fishing the Rainy River in 20 feet of water. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleyes, sauger and perch are being pulled from 26-29 feet of water around the reefs at Oak Island.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleye and northern pike action has been fair despite the recent cold temperatures. Good reports continue to come from 13-14 feet of water throughout the lake, with Center Bar remaining one of the most consistent areas. Depths of 12-14 feet at the southeast corner of the lake has been the most productive for crappies this week, especially when using red glow jigs and minnows.
Blackduck
The 20- to 23-foot mud areas of Blackduck Lake remain best for perch. Rabideau Lake is producing bluegills over 10-15 feet of water, and Gilstead Lake is giving up crappies during low-light hours in depths 30-40 feet. Look to Gull Lake for an occasional walleye and bluegill in 10 feet of water. Northern pike are active on the weed edges of most lakes.
Bemidji
Perch and walleyes continue to be pulled from 30-35 feet of water on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes. Expect the walleyes to be most active during evening hours. Grace Lake is the area’s best option for bluegills and northern pike in 10-12 feet of water.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, before the cold front, there was some steady perch action reported on the 24- to 30-foot humps between Raven’s Point and Center Bar. The tops of these humps are also producing walleyes during low-light hours. Perch are coming from 28-32 feet of water at Moses and North Moses bars. The 30- to 32-foot humps near Zoomer’s are giving up perch, as are Moxie's Hole and Bena Bar. For numbers of good-sized perch, use rattle lures.
Walker
On Leech Lake, few reports are available due to recent cold temperatures. Anglers that have ventured out recently found perch in 12-16 feet of water in Agency Bay and off Sand Point. The humps at Walker Bay, and a few of the points are giving up an occasional walleye in depths of 18-30 feet during low-light hours. Panfish action has been limited throughout the area.
Hackensack
A few sunfish are coming from Pleasant and Five Point lakes in 12-18 feet of water. Woman Lake continues to give up a few good-sized perch in depths of 20-30 feet. Northern pike action has been the most consistent, with fish coming from lakes such as Webb and Portage on sucker minnows. One or two walleyes are being pulled from 20-22 feet of water on Pleasant Lake at night.
Park Rapids
The Crow Wing Chain and Upper Twin Lake are giving up bluegills early and late in the day in 14-16 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 30 feet throughout the Crow Wing Chain. An occasional walleye is being pulled from 30-32 feet of water on Fish Hook and Potato lakes on small minnows. The best northern pike action remains in depths of 12-14 feet on Big Mantrap Lake.
Detroit Lakes
Some evening walleye action is being reported on lakes Sallie, Melissa and Big Detroit in 21-24 feet of water. The 12- to 15-foot weed edges of Floyd, Big Detroit and Sallie lakes have been good for crappies and sunnies. Both the deep and shallow weed areas of Deadshot Bay on Little Detroit Lake are giving up northern pike.
Battle Lake
A few walleyes are being pulled from 18-30 feet of water on Otter Tail Lake, and the east end of Battle Lake. Sunfish are hitting in depths of 15 feet on Star, Dead, Ellingson and South Turtle lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 23-25 feet on South Turtle, Ellingson and Battle lakes. The weedlines of Battle Lake are holding northern pike.
Alexandria
Sunnies and crappies are coming from 12-15 feet of water on lakes Mary and Reno. Lake Reno is also giving up a few walleyes during evening hours in depths of 15-20 feet. For numbers of walleyes, hit Lake Ida using set lines and small minnows in 30-35 feet of water.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes continue to hit during low-light hours in 20-40 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes. These lakes are also producing northern pike in depths of 12-16 feet on sucker minnows. Nisswa, Round, and the south end of Gull Lake are giving up sunnies and a few crappies in 14-20 feet of water.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the east end is giving up perch off the Four and Five Mile gravel in 28-32 feet of water. Midget Flat and Blue Jug Flat are producing perch in depths of 30 feet or more. A few walleyes are coming off Agate Bay Reef in 22-26 feet of water during low-light hours. On the west end of the lake, look for perch and a few walleyes at the 23- to 26-foot rocks near Seguchie, Brown’s and Sherman’s points. The best walleye action is taking place during evening hours at Sherman's, Eight Mile and Seven Mile flats. The edges and top of Seguchie Flat have produced a few walleyes during low-light hours.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
The islands area of Lake Koronis remains best for walleye action, especially in 18-25 feet of water. Sunfish are biting best during morning hours in depths of 12-14 feet on Pearl, Becker and Cedar Island lakes. After dark, look for crappies on Pearl, Horseshoe and Long lakes in 15-22 feet of water. The best northern pike bite has been in depths of 14-16 feet on many area lakes.
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Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Crappies continue to be found suspended over deep water on Clearwater, Cedar, Pleasant and John lakes. Look for sunfish in 14-20 feet of water on Clearwater, Cedar, Marie and Indian lakes. The 12- to 16-foot weed edges of French and Clearwater lakes are giving up a few northern pike. Walleye reports have been limited.
Elk River/Zimmerman
Crappies continue to bite in 10-12 feet of water on Little Elk Lake, and in depths of 22 feet on Blue Lake. Northern pike are being taken on tip-ups and sucker minnows in depths of 10-12 feet on Green and Blue lakes. Walleyes are being pulled from 26-30 feet of water on Green Lake, with crappies coming from depths of 22 feet.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, look for crappies in 23-25 feet of water just south of Pillsbury Reef. The best sunfish action is taking place at the 10-foot weed edge north of Pillsbury Reef. Center Reef is producing panfish in depths of 12 feet, with northern pike coming from 10-13 feet of water off Harm’s Point and West Center Reef.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the 15- to 18-foot weedlines in Brown’s Bay continue to hold walleyes. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 20-24 feet in the same location. Work the eight- to 12-foot weed flats using sucker minnows for lots of northern pike. Small sunfish are active in most of the bays. Crappies and sunnies have been suspended over depths of 40 feet on Lake Sarah, with some evening crappie activity being reported in 30 feet of water on Lake Independence.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Sunfish remain active in 12-14 feet of water on Hydes and Eagle lakes. Sucker minnows are triggering northern pike in 10 feet of water on Minnewashta, Steiger and Zumbra lakes. Some sunfish, crappie and northern pike action is being reported on Whaletail Lake in depths of 10-18 feet during lowlight hours.
Chisago City
The Pancake Island area of South Center Lake is producing sunnies and crappies, with fish also being pulled from the south end of Chisago Lake in 8-12 feet of water. North Center Lake continues to give up sunfish during the day and crappies after dark in depths of 10-12 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 10-16 feet of water on Chisago Lake.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
Northern pike continue to come from 12-14 feet of water on Jane, White Bear and Big Marine lakes. A few sunfish are coming off Demontreville Lake in depths of 6-10 feet during morning hours. For crappies, hit 25-35 feet of water on the St. Croix River.
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Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Anglers fishing from boats continue to take large saugers below the dam on the Mississippi River. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow in 18-28 feet of water. Ice anglers are finding walleyes and sauger throughout Lake Pepin. The Baypoint Park area is giving up panfish and sauger in depths of 8-10 feet.
Faribault
Look for crappies in 30-35 feet of water on Lake Mazaska, with sunfish being pulled from depths of 20-25 feet. Small sucker minnows are turning northern pike in depths of 20 feet or more on Shields and Mazaska lakes. The 20- to 25-foot bars on French Lake are giving up a few walleyes on fathead minnows. French Lake is also giving up crappies in depths of 35-40 feet.
Mankato
Small jigging spoons are producing crappies in 15-18 feet of water on Lake Washington. Waxworms are working best for crappies on the south end of Madison Lake in depths of 22-24 feet. A few walleyes continue to be taken at night on Lake Hanska in 6 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Little Jefferson Lake. For a few good-sized sunfish, hit depths of 10-12 feet on East Jefferson Lake.
Willmar
Walleyes are being pulled from the 10- to 15-foot weedlines on Lake Andrew after dark. The 50-foot hole on Eagle Lake is giving up crappies. Diamond Lake is producing sunnies and crappies in 12-18 feet of water. Panfish are coming from Norway and Games lakes, as well as the northeast corner of Green Lake.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
