Minnesota Fishing Report for February 22
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, Sand Bay is giving up walleyes during evening hours in 32-34 feet of water. A morning walleye bite is being reported in the American Narrows area in depths of 36-40 feet. The Northwest Bay on the Canadian side is producing crappies in 40 feet of water. Look to the Rainy Lake City area using ciscoes in 12 feet of water for northern pike.
Grand Rapids
Bowstring and Big Splithand lakes are giving up crappies in 20-30 feet of water during low-light hours. Bluegill action remains consistent on Bass Lake in depths of 12-18 feet. Northern pike continue to attack sucker minnows at the deep weeds and breaks of lakes Wabana and Pokegama. Pit Lake is producing a few lake trout over 50-60 feet of water.
Kabetogama
Walleyes, saugers and jumbo perch are coming off the east and west ends of Lake Kabetogama. Glow-in-the-dark jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads are producing fish in 26-32 feet of water during low-light hours. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in depths of 12-20 feet in and near the bays.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, most walleyes have been scattered, and seem to prefer set lines and minnows. For the most fish, work the sharp ledges, breaks and humps during low-light hours. Northern pike and sunfish remain active at the weeds and soft-bottomed bays. The whitefish have started hitting in the deep crappie holes.
Grand Marais
Lake trout action remains good over 45-55 feet of water on Gunflint, Loon, East Bearskin and Clearwater lakes. Carrot Lake continues to produce brook trout in depths of 12 feet. A few splake are being pulled from 10-12 feet of water on Musquash Lake. Walleye action remains limited.
Duluth
Crappie action has been strong in 12 feet during evening hours on Boulder and Fish lakes. A few walleyes have been caught in these areas as well. Northern pike are active, and are hitting sucker minnows in 7 feet of water at Rice Lake. Ice anglers are currently unable to fish Lake Superior due to lots of shifting and moving of the existing ice as a result of windy conditions.
McGregor
Crappies and northern pike are coming from Pleasant Point on Lake Minnewawa. The narrows area of Big Sandy Lake is giving up an occasional walleye, as well as offering some decent evening crappie action. The deep hole on the north end of Big Sandy has started producing tullibees. Look to Gun Lake for sunfish in 12-16 feet of water. The Round Lake weeds have been good for crappies and northern pike.
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Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, most fish houses are scattered between 6- and 28-miles off shore. The best walleye, sauger and perch mix is coming from 30-34 feet of water on the reefs and mud flats. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes and perch are hitting rattle jigs worked in depths of 24-28 feet on the reefs around Oak Island and Flag Island. Depths of 22 feet in the Clementson area of the Rainy River has been good for walleyes.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, anglers report occasional spurts of walleye action during low-light hours. The best approach has been a red glow or gold jigging spoon worked in 10-14 feet of water. A few large northern pike have been taken throughout the lake, with most taken by walleye anglers fishing in depths of 10-13 feet.
Blackduck
The 12- to 18-foot breaks on Island and Gull lakes are producing walleyes. Perch anglers are taking fish by staying mobile and working 20-24 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. An evening crappie bite is being reported on Gilstead Lake in depths of 30-35 feet. Rabideau Lake continues to give up bluegills in 10-15 feet of water.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, a perch bite is being reported during morning hours in 35-40 feet of water. A few walleyes are being pulled from depths of 30-35 feet on Lake Bemidji. Most of the smaller area lakes are giving up crappies, with fish found suspended over deeper waters. Sunfish action is picking up on the smaller lakes, and should continue to improve.
Cass Lake
Cass and Pike Bay lakes are giving up walleyes during evening hours in 18-20 feet of water. For perch, hit depths of 18-20 feet at Cedar Island on Cass Lake, and the east shore of Pike Bay Lake. Good numbers of tullibees can be found suspended over 30 feet of water on the west side of Pike Bay Lake. Kitchi Lake is giving up crappies in depths of 30 feet. Grace Lake remains the area’s best bet for bluegill action.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the perch bite has been sporadic. For the most fish, hit 26-30 feet of water at the humps between Raven’s Point and Center Bar. Moses Bar is also giving up a few perch in depths of 28-30 feet. Northern pike remain active throughout the lake.
Walker
On Leech Lake, perch continue to be taken from 12-18 feet of water, from Pine Point on to the narrows and up to Otter Tail Point. Limits of good-sized perch are being reported after some time spent sorting. Anglers report a lot of smaller walleyes, with fish most active during evening hours at the humps in Walker Bay. Sunfish and crappie action has been limited.
Hackensack
Most anglers are now concentrating on the panfish bite, which has been good on many of the smaller area lakes. For the most sunnies and crappies, hit 12-16 feet of water on Ox Yoke, Birch and Lindsey lakes during morning and evening hours.
Park Rapids
Sunnies and crappies are becoming more active. For the most fish, hit depths of 18 feet on the Crow Wing Chain, 14 feet of water on Portage Lake, and depths of 16-18 feet on Fish Hook Lake. Fish Hook and Potato lakes are giving up a few walleyes in 30 feet of water or more. Portage Lake is producing northern pike in depths of 12-14 feet.
Detroit Lakes
A few walleyes are being taken from 20-30 feet of water during evening hours on lakes Melissa, Sallie, Big Detroit and Island. Look for crappies in depths of 20 feet or deeper on Little Detroit, Sour, Floyd and Melissa lakes. The shallow weed edges of these lakes are giving up lots of sunfish during the day. Northern pike can be found in the shallow and deep weeds of lakes Melissa, Sallie and Little Detroit.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are being pulled from 17-30 feet of water on Battle Lake, and from depths of 9-24 feet on Otter Tail Lake. Star, Ellingson, South Turtle, Rush and Battle lakes are all giving up sunfish in 10-17 feet of water. Lots of crappies can be found suspended after dark over depths of 21-25 feet on Battle, South Turtle, Star and Rush lakes. The weedlines of Battle Lake have been best for northern pike.
Alexandria
Reno Lake is kicking out a few walleyes and panfish in 12-18 feet of water. Look for crappies and sunnies on lakes Ida and Miltona in depths of 10-20 feet during afternoon and evening hours. Sunfish are coming from 10-14 feet of water on lakes Le Homme Dieu and Geneva.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, lots of small northern pike are being taken throughout the lake, with a few larger fish coming from 12 feet of water off Two Mile and Banana bars. A few walleyes were recently pulled from depths of 17-24 feet at Banana Bar. The north end of the lake is producing sunnies and crappies in 20-24 feet of water, however most of the fish have been small.
Starbuck
The Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska is giving up a few good-sized sunfish in 12-14 feet of water. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are working well for northern pike at the weedlines during morning hours. Walleyes and crappies have been tough to find.
Sauk Centre
Panfish action has improved, with sunfish coming from 14-18 feet of water on Long Lake. Crappies can be found suspended in the Dutchmen’s Creek area of Sauk Lake over depths of 38-44 feet. On Little Sauk Lake, sunnies, crappies and northern pike are being pulled from 12-14 feet of water.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Jigging spoons tipped with rainbow chubs or fathead minnows are producing walleyes in 20-40 feet of water on Gull and North Long lakes during evening hours. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in depths of 12-20 feet on most area lakes. Sunfish action is improving in 10-18 feet of water on many of the smaller area lakes, with Nisswa and Round lakes being the most consistent. For crappies, use glow jigs and minnows in 18-24 feet of water.
Cross Lake
Walleye action on the Whitefish Chain remains steady. For the most fish, hit Fish House Bar, Foley’s Bar, and the “fingers” of Upper Whitefish. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows at the weed flats of most lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 25-30 feet of water.
Crosby
Anglers report a small window of walleye activity after dark on Serpent Lake in 20 feet of water or more. Crappie action is improving on most of the smaller area lakes, with consistent reports coming from the deep water on Bay and Clearwater lakes when using plastics. Jigs tipped with Eurolarvae are producing sunfish at the shallow weed flats on most lakes. Northern pike are being taken on tip-ups and sucker minnows worked in depths of 14-18 feet on most area lakes. A few lake trout were recently pulled from Big Trout Lake.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the best perch action is taking place at the deep east end gravel in 28 feet of water or more. A few walleyes are also coming from the gravel after dark. The tops of the smaller mud flats are giving up an occasional walleye at night as well. Most of the walleyes are being taken on set lines. On the west end of the lake, some good-sized perch were recently taken from the rocks. For the most fish, hit the 21- to 25-foot rocks using jigging spoons from Seguchie Point to Brown’s Point during the day. A few walleyes are also coming from these areas after sunset.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
The evening crappie action has picked up in 16-20 feet of water on Rice, Horseshoe and Cedar Island lakes. Catfish are active in the deep holes throughout the Horseshoe Chain. Rainbow trout remain active on Mud Lake. Rice and Koronis lakes have been best for northern pike. And for a few walleyes, hit depths of 20-28 feet at Stonegate Bar on Lake Koronis.
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Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
Tip-ups and sucker minnows are triggering northern pike in 10-12 feet of water on Green and Blue lakes. Blue Lake is giving up crappies in depths of 22 feet, with fish also being taken from 10-12 feet of water on Little Elk Lake. Look to Green Lake for a few walleyes and crappies in depths of 26-30 feet during low-light hours.
Annandale
A few good-sized sunfish are being pulled from 12-16 feet of water on Clearwater, Cedar, Indian and Marie lakes. Crappies are coming from depths of 20-40 feet on Pleasant, Cedar and Clearwater lakes. Northern pike remain active at the weedlines and breaks on French and Clearwater lakes.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Eagle, Hydes and Whaletail lakes are giving up small sunfish in 10-14 feet of water. Lakes Minnewashta and Zumbra continue to produce northern pike in depths of 10 feet throughout the day. For the most fish, use tip-ups and sucker minnows.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, the 10- to 12-foot weed edges off Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef are holding sunfish and crappies. The weedlines adjacent to the reefs are providing steady northern pike action. Walleye reports have been limited to a few fish during evening hours in 12-15 feet of water off Kegg’s Reef, North Reef, and Nelson’s Flats.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, walleyes continue to be taken on small minnows worked over depths of 16-32 feet in Brown’s Bay during evening hours. Lots of northern pike are coming from the 8- to 12-foot weed edges throughout Lake Minnetonka. Anglers are finding crappies suspended over the deep water on lakes Sarah and Independence. The shallower waters on the north side of Lake Sarah have been good for sunfish.
Chisago City
Panfish continue remain active throughout the area, especially in 10 feet of water on North Center Lake and on the south end of Chisago Lake. The channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes has been good for a few walleyes during low-light hours. Work depths of 24 feet on South Lindstrom for a few crappies. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows worked in 10 feet of water on most area lakes.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
Northern pike continue to be pulled from 6-12 feet of water on sucker minnows on Big Marine, Demontreville and Jane lakes. Demontreville Lake is giving up lots of sunfish in depths of 6-10 feet. Crappies can be found suspended over 25-35 feet of water on the St. Croix River. An occasional walleye is being pulled from depths of 20-30 feet on White Bear Lake after dark.
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Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, walleyes and saugers are hitting jigging rapalas worked in 10-30 feet of water at Lake Pepin. The best reports are coming from the Maiden Rock Flats, on to the Head of the Lakes. Look for slab crappies off Baypoint Park in depths of 8-12 feet. Boat anglers continue to do well below the Mississippi River dam, with walleyes and saugers being pulled from 18-25 feet of water. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow or brightly-colored ringworms.
Faribault
The south side of Shields Lake is producing sunfish, perch and northern pike in 8-12 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended over 30 feet of water on Lake Mazaska. Shields and Mazaska lakes are giving up lots of northern pike.
Waterville
A consistent sunfish and crappie bite is being reported in 6-8 feet of water on Lexington and Clear lakes. Work the Best Point area of Lake Tetonka for crappies, with fish found suspended over depths of 25-27 feet.
Mankato
Jefferson Lake is producing panfish during morning and evening hours. East Jefferson Lake is giving up sunfish in 10-12 feet of water. The weedlines of Little Jefferson Lake are holding northern pike. For a few walleyes, hit depths of 6 feet after dark on Lake Hanska. Crappies are coming from 22-25 feet of water at the south end of Madison Lake. Small jigging spoons are triggering crappies in depths of 15-18 feet on Lake Washington.
Ortonville
The Mallard Point and Hartford Beach areas of Big Stone Lake are giving up a few walleyes in 14 feet of water. Look for perch on Big Stone in the Skeleton Island and Rustling Elms areas. On Artichoke Lake, crappies are being taken on the south and north sides of the narrows in depths of 10 feet.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
