Explore Minnesota Fishing Report: December 26, 2008

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   Explore Minnesota Fishing Report: December 26, 2008

In general, anglers continue to transition from open water angling to ice angling. Ice conditions on Minnesota waters remain unstable in some areas, especially in the southern one-half of the state. Anglers choosing to venture out are encouraged to call ahead for the most current ice conditions.

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 note that ice is never considered totally safe. For more on ice thickness guidelines and ice safety tips, check out Ice Thickness Guidelines by the Department of Natural Rwebsite.

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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Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls
Early ice fishing is being described as “awesome.” An ice road is providing access from the Rainy Lake Marina to the Birch Point area, and anglers are catching plenty of walleyes in 20-30 feet of water. A jig tipped with a minnow seems to be working best. Anglers are also hitting popular spots near the American Narrows and the mouth of Black Bay. Some areas may develop slush due to recent heavy snowfall--please checking conditions frequently when venturing out with portable gear. And area ski and snowmobile trails are in the process of being groomed. For more information, dial 1-800-FALLS-MN, or check out www.rainylake.org

Ely
Ice thickness increases each day due to cool winter weather. Most lakes now have 13-16 inches of good clear ice. The ice roads are being plowed on lakes such as Shagawa to provide easier access through the deepening snow. Ice shack communities are sprouting up with anglers eager to be settled in place when the fish begin to bite. Although the walleye fishing is currently hit or miss, many anglers are taking advantage of the excellent crappie and sunfish bite. Armstrong Lake is giving up good numbers of panfish in 12-15 feet of water. Northern pike continue to cooperate, with fish weighing up to fifteen pounds being pulled from Fall, Shagawa and Birch lakes. Suckers fished just under the ice in 15 feet of water or less seems to be the key to success. While in Ely, stop by one of the many bait shops to get up-to-date lake reports, and information on the most current conditions. For further information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org
Northcentral/West Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & Rainy River
Ice fishing on Lake of the Woods has been excellent! The hot spots remain around Pine Island, Morris Point, and Zippel Bay. Plenty of 1- to 2-pound eating-size fish are being caught, along with an occasional large walleye. A mix of walleyes and sauger are being taken from 19-24 feet of water on both brightly colored jigs and ice fishing "wobbler" lures. Ice conditions are measuring between 19-25 inches on the lake, and 12-14 inches on the river between Wheeler’s Point and Baudette. The Northwest Angle and Islands area is also off to a great winter season. Large numbers of walleyes are being pulled from 8-12 feet of water around Oak Island on gold and white jigs tipped with a minnow. The Northwest Angle is averaging 18-20 inches of ice, with 16-29 inches along the trail from Young’s Bay. For more information, dial 1-800-382-FISH (3474), or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji
The ice is averaging 12-16 inches thick on most area lakes. The snow cover on these lakes, however, is causing some difficulty getting around by ATV and other vehicles, especially where drifting has occurred. Resorts are beginning to plow roads on area lakes, and the ice fishing season should be in full swing before the end of December. To determine the best mode of travel, anglers are encouraged to call ahead for the most current conditions. Anglers are pulling lots of crappies and sunnies from the smaller area lakes. Just to the north, Upper Red Lake has some of the best ice conditions the area has to offer, with a network of roads already on the ice. Walleye anglers are having lots of success at the shoreline breaks in 6-9 feet of water, and at the secondary breaks in 9-12 feet of water. For the most fish, hit areas with "stained" water using either a brightly colored or glow jig tipped with a minnow and under a bobber. Use a jigging spoon or jigging minnow on a second line. Rattle spoons, alone or tipped with a minnow head, have been very productive this winter. And, for some “bonus” slab crappies, hit the deeper waters. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker/Leech Lake
The next two weeks is a great time to gather with family and friends and enjoy some excellent fishing action. Ice is developing well. Recent snowfall has caused flooding on many area lakes. There was up to 9 inches of ice on Walker Bay on Leech Lake earlier this week. Some anglers reported measurements of roughly 7 inches. Please remember that the Minnesota DNR recommends a minimum of 8-12 inches of good clear ice for car and small truck travel. Medium- and full-size trucks are now traveling out onto some of the smaller area lakes, with ice measuring 12-15 inches. Many Walker Bay anglers are enjoying all of the early walleye action, especially during twilight hours. For the most fish, hit 21-27 feet of water at one of the sunken islands or underwater points near the town of Walker. Spearing for northern pike has been very productive, and anglers are also enjoying the recent change in law allowing anglers to jig for panfish and perch while spearing. Limits of northern pike, and lots of sunfish, crappies and perch, are all coming from the same spearing holes. For further information, dial 218/547-1313, or check out www.leech-lake.com

Brainerd
Ice has developed nicely on most area lakes. Gull Lake is covered in roughly 8 inches of ice, and most of the other area lakes have ice measuring 10-14 inches. Walleyes anglers are having the most success on Gull, Pelican, and Round lakes. The best approach has been a plain hook and shiner minnow. Crappie fishing has been very good on the smaller area lakes. Some of the recent favorites are Margaret, Upper Gull, Roy, Gladstone, and Clamshell. For the most fish, use a small crappie minnow or spike on a glow jig. Northern pike have been active along the weedlines. It is a winter wonderland, with snowfall ranging from 10-15 inches on the ground and on the lakes. Conditions are perfect for people playing on snowmobiles. To find out more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or check out www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs
Two major bait shops on Lake Mille Lacs report that this is the best early ice in several years. Resorts are now allowing vehicle traffic, and are pulling out fish houses and plowing road systems as fast as they can. Most of Mille Lacs has over 14 inches of ice, and some bays and shorelines are covered in up to 18 inches of ice. The walleye bite is decent, and the best activity is on the mud flats and gravel bars in 24-32 feet of water. For the most fish, use shiners, or a 1/8-ounce jigging spoon tipped with a fathead minnow. Perch and northern pike anglers report lots of hungry fish. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or visit www.millelacs.com
Twin Cities vicinity

No reports are available at this time.
Southern Minnesota

No reports are available at this time.

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