Explore Minnesota Fishing Report February 20, 09

[mudbrook]

Explore Minnesota Fishing Report February 20, 09

Anglers report good fishing action throughout the state, and fishing is expected to continue to improve as the season progresses. Please note that the gamefish season on Minnesota’s inland waters ends February 22–the crappie, sunfish and perch seasons, however, are continuous.

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 Resources website.

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales

Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

At present, Rainy Lake fishing has been best during morning hours. Anglers are taking large northern pike on large ciscoes around the mouth of Black Bay. Walleye action has picked up east of Dryweed Island, with quite a few fish still being pulled from 30 foot depths near Birch Point and the American Narrows. Crappies are also coming from Black Bay. Colder temperatures and new snow have improved the lake trail conditions, and the land trails remain in great shape. Anglers are having little difficulty accessing their favorite fishing holes. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Few fishing reports are currently available for Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan due to recent temperature swings and mixed precipitation which led to a decrease in fishing action. Many snowmobilers, however, hit the land trails last weekend, and enjoyed good to excellent conditions. While this is the last week of the inland lake gamefish season on Lake Kabetogama, the season for walleyes and pike on the Canadian border lakes such as Namakan and Sandpoint remains open through April 14. To find out more, dial 1-800-524-9085, or visit www.kabetogama.com

Ely

The rainbow trout bite remains excellent, and anglers are having a blast catching these fish. Tofte, High and Dry lakes are giving up quite a few fish. The best approach has been a small spoon, or a small jig tipped with small minnow head or waxworm, worked in 5-20 feet of water. The water in these lakes is crystal clear so you can almost sight fish by watching each twitch of your bait. Crappies have been cooperative on Twin Lakes which are located north of Burntside, and on Johnson and Bass lakes. For the most fish, use small minnows under a slip bobber in depths of 8-15 feet at the drop-offs. A fresh coating of 5 inches of snow has revived area trail conditions, and riders and cross-country skiers report that the trails are in good to excellent condition! All snowmobile trails will be regroomed before the weekend–expect a base of approximately 4-6 inches, and great riding conditions! And on Saturday, February 21, head out to The Longbranch on Fall Lake for the Ely-Winton Rod & Gun Club annual winter fishing contest. For further information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Grand Marais

Patient anglers are being rewarded. On East Bearskin Lake, lakers are being pulled from 30-35 feet of water, with fish found suspended 8-10 feet off the bottom. At Greenwood Lake, lakers are coming from depths of 50 feet, suspended 12 feet off the bottom. Anglers are also finding fish at the bottom of Clearwater Lake in 40 feet of water. For the most fish, use jigs tipped with chubs. Anglers are also having some success using frozen ciscoes. For some good splake action, hit Musquash Lake using a small silver or copper spoon, a Swedish pimple, or an ice jig tipped with a waxworm. Trout Lake is producing fish on chubs worked in depths of 20-40 feet. To learn more, dial 1-888-922-5000, or check out www.grandmarais.com
Northcentral/West Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

The weather has been challenging over the last week in the Lake of the Woods vicinity, but it is settling into more favorable conditions. New snow and cooler temperatures have reduced the slush, the roads are back in shape and the fishing is picking up. Adrian’s Road out of Wheeler’s Point is open and in good condition. A mix of walleyes and sauger are being pulled from 30-34 feet of water, roughly 10- to 12-miles off shore. Most anglers are using electronics to help locate fish since the walleyes and sauger remain suspended off the bottom. For those heading further north, the bite is excellent around Garden Island and at the Northwest Angle. For more information, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Fishing for walleyes continues to improve. Lake Bemidji is producing lots of walleyes during morning and evening hours in 18-26 feet of water at the edges of the mid-lake humps and along the shoreline points and steep breaks. Most anglers are having success using a combination of jigging spoons and bobber rigs with a lively minnow. Walleye fishing on Upper Red Lake has been best on the south end of the lake which has more rocks and deeper water closer to shore. Crappie anglers are having better luck on the north end of Upper Red Lake. Some of the walleye anglers are moving back towards shore, where the walleyes will soon be staging for spring. For the most walleyes, use a brightly-colored or glowing jigging spoon, especially with a rattle, which is helpful in stained water and during low-light conditions. Most anglers are tipping the jigging spoons with a minnow head or smaller minnow. And on Lake Winnibigoshish, perch and walleye anglers report lots of success. Many of the walleyes are coming from the top of the smaller humps. The best depths have been 16-24 feet, with perch split between the deep and shallow flats. Anglers now have better access to many locations on area lakes due to the significant amount of snow that has melted off the ice. Anglers should still watch for isolated areas of slush on some lakes, especially under the heavier patches of snow. Snowmobiles, ATV’s and track vehicles are recommended for anglers wanting total access to area lakes. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Park Rapids

After months of difficult ice travel, the lakes have firmed up and slush is no longer an obstacle. Three days of rain followed by cold temperatures have reduced the snowcover on top of the ice, making it easy to drive vehicles, ATV’s and snowmobiles to most locations. The highlight most recently has been all of the panfish action, with lots of crappies and sunnies being pulled from many area lakes. The crappies have been active during early morning and late evening hours, with bluegill activity taking place throughout the day. Small jigs tipped with waxworms are working well for both the bluegills and crappies, and small crappie minnows are taking slab crappies from the deeper waters. Northern pike activity has been good and anglers continue to haul in some very nice fish–try a large minnow dangled over leafy vegetation for the larger pike. Walleye action has been fairly slow, with many anglers commenting on how apprehensive the fish have been when approaching the bait. Fortunately, periods of inactivity typically transition into a spurt of aggressive activity. To find out more, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

Fishing in the Miltona Lakes area was great this past weekend, and anglers reported excellent sunfish and crappie action. For the most fish, hit depths of 11-12 feet at the green weed beds. The walleye bite also improved with the warmer temperatures, and some nice fish were caught and released. The best depths were 23-27 feet, with fatheads taking the most fish. For more information, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Brainerd

The walleye season is coming to an end and fishing has been a bit on the slow side. The perch action, however, has been great on Gull Lake, and fish should remain active into the spring. The sunfish and crappie bite has also been steady, and should also continue to improve. Area lakes are in great shape for traveling now that the snow has melted. Most sunfish anglers are finding fish in 10-15 feet of water using small bloodworms. The crappies have been going strong in the deeper basin areas, especially during evening hours. For the most fish, use crappie minnows and demon jigs. While some nights have been excellent and some have been average, most anglers have been happy with all of the activity. To learn more, dial 218/822-7118, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

The final weekend of the inland walleye season is upon us, and the best advice is to look for an active school of fish look in the deeper waters during the day. These same areas will also produce good numbers of perch. For the most fish, avoid the structure and hit depths of 28 feet or more. After dark, find a quiet reef area in roughly 8 feet of water. And, riders report that the snowmobile trails are in good shape, however the Soo Line, Red Top, and Highway 47 trails are somewhat rough and there may be some approach issues. And, don’t miss the 26th Annual Perch Extravaganza and the 4th Annual Ducks Unlimited fishing contests, both held Saturday, February 21. To find out more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com
Twin Cities vicinity

White Bear Lake

Crappies have been active in 8-13 feet of water, with anglers taking the most fish on green topped demon jigs tipped with a minnow. Lots of northern pike are being pulled from depths of 8-10 feet on sucker minnows. Sunfish are also active in roughly 9 feet of water. The ice is averaging 24 inches thick–it is very smooth so ice cleats will probably be needed. To learn more, contact Explore White Bear at 651/429-5393, or visit www.explorewhitebear.org
Southern Minnesota

No reports are currently available for this region of the state.

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