Minnsota Statewide fishing report 12.24.09

[mudbrook]

      

At the time of this report, much of Minnesota is receiving significant amounts of snow, and this should continue throughout the weekend. Heavy snow on lake ice can create slush, and conditions can be hard to determine.- please contact area visitors bureaus to obtain the most current conditions before traveling. Few reports are available this week due to holiday travels. Information in this report has been provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism

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 call ahead for the most current ice conditions - ice is never considered totally safe.

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

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls

The ice road from Rainy Lake Marina to Sand Bay is plowed and a village of ice houses is growing at Birch Point and at a few of the breaklines in Sand Bay. People are also getting out around Black Bay and portables are being moved to most of the popular spots. Walleyes have been hitting jigs tipped with minnows early and late in the day. Crappies have been most active during mid-day hours. The snowmobile trail to Kabetogama is open and staked, and many of the ski and snowshoe trails are open and ready for use. More snow is on its way, and that should improve conditions considerably. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Ice fishing and snowmobiling enthusiasts are now out in force. The ice conditions are very good, especially for this time of year. The park service has staked the Green Trail from Crane Lake, through Namakan and Kabetogama, on to Rainy Lake. The park service will be checking and staking the safest areas of Rainy this week. Recent snowfall will help snowmobilers with sled traction when on the ice, and should improve spearing and angling in general. Reports are few, but the walleye and crappie bite is expected to be good. Northern pike anglers will do well using small suckers under a tip-up, or an ice jig tipped with a minnow or minnow part. Work these just off the bottom in 28-38 feet of water for the most fish. Spear anglers are reporting that live decoys are the best attractant for pike, and may increase your odds of spearing a fish. The snowmobile trails are getting packed and should be ready for grooming after Christmas. For information on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan and the surrounding area, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Fish houses are popping up all over the lakes in the Ely vicinity. If you decide to venture out, be sure you check ice conditions first since conditions can vary greatly from lake to lake, and there are areas on most lakes that are never safe. Crappies are being pulled from Bass, Low, and Twin lakes. Most anglers are taking fish on minnows under slip bobbers in 10-20 feet of water. The walleye bite started slowly, but anglers are reporting a greater number of fish. Some decent numbers are coming from Shagawa and Birch lakes on buck shots tipped with minnow heads worked in 20-30 feet of water near the transition zones. A few large pike have also been pulled from Birch Lake by anglers using large sucker minnows in depths of 4-10 feet of water at the weed edges. To learn more about the Ely vicinity, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Cook & Tower/Lake Vermilion

Earlier this week, on Lake Vermilion, walleyes were biting in 18-26 feet of water during the day, and in the mid-teens at dusk. The best approach was a demon jig tipped with a pike sucker, shiner or rainbow. Tip-ups have been more productive than spearing for lots of slot fish, especially when paired with light northern bait. A few crappies are coming from the smaller area lakes, but anglers have been hesitant to name the lakes! Sunfish action has been strong in Larson Bay, so if you want to some quick action check out Larson using an ant and waxworm combination. To find out more, check out www.lakevermilionresorts.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Lake of the Woods is a winter wonderland for anglers and snowmobilers. The ice is 15 inches thick, and continues to thicken. Walleyes and saugers are plentiful, and most anglers are taking their limits. Afternoon and early evening hours seems to be the best, with lots of 15- to 17-inch keepers being reported. The larger fish, including 32-inch and 29-inch walleyes, were recently pulled out of Lake of the Woods. Fish houses can be found anywhere from just north of Pine Island and the Morris Point Area over 20-26 feet of water. Fish are biting on anything that glows. Resort guests continue to be transported out onto the lake in smaller vehicles, snowmobiles and ATVs. Larger vehicles may be allowed on the ice road after Christmas. Please call ahead before traveling. Ice on the Rainy River ranges from 6-8 inches thick, and the bays have 11-13 inches. Anglers are catching a few keepers ranging from 16-18 inches in length during evening hours. Please be sure to call ahead for the most current ice road conditions, and always keep safety first! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Central Minnesota

Pine River Area Lakes

Lake ice continues to thicken, and anglers are reporting at least 10-12 inches of ice on most lakes. Caution is still advised around the channel areas and areas that may be susceptible to ice heaves, such as around points and islands.  Anglers report that fishing has been excellent for all species of fish.  Walleye and northern pike are active in 10-25 feet of water where they are hitting jig and minnow combinations, swim-jigs with a simple hook, and minnow and sinker combinations.  Panfish action has been good in 10-20 feet of water, with small ice flies tipped with a waxworm or wiggler producing the majority of fish.  Crappies, as usual, are hitting small crappie minnows on small jigs or plain hook set-ups. The snow storm predicted for the end of this week could change ice conditions - if heavy snow accumulates, use extra caution where the slush develops. The "bite," however, typically improves once the lake ice is covered with snow.  This week's tip is to keep an eye on your depth finder when searching for panfish since fish will move up and down in the water column during the day - just moving your bait up or down a foot might make the difference between a catch or no catch.  This week's tip is to tie a small swivel one foot above your jig to avoid line twist when vertical jigging. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

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