March 11, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportWhile the gamefish season has ended for inland waters, trout action in northeastern Minnesota's inland lakes has been excellent. Panfish anglers can take advantage of the increase in action that typically occurs during the month of March for sunfish, crappies, and jumbo perch. Please note that conditions may change rapidly after today's mid-40 temperatures and high winds, with warm temperatures in the forecast for next week. Please use extreme caution if venturing out, and be sure to check with area bait shops and resorts for the most current conditions.
Anglers are encouraged to bring along a friend and some long rope. If venturing out alone, wear a life jacket and let someone know where you are going. No ice is every considered fully safe - please check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions before venturing out. The Department of Natural Resources states 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. And please remember that ice is never considered totally safe - contact a local bait shop, resort or visitor's bureau for the most current ice conditions before traveling.
Fishing opener dates for the 2011/2012 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 14; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 28; and for muskie, June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are hitting in Rainy Lake, with good numbers coming from the more accessible locations of Sand Bay, the American Narrows, and Rainy Lake City. Anglers are having the most success using jigs tipped with minnows in roughly 35 feet of water. Those with portable gear should travel to the east to access areas giving up the largest walleye. Large northern pike can be found near the mouths of bays. Crappies are starting to bite in parts of Sand Bay. Snowmobilers report some of the best late season trail conditions in the state, with great conditions also along the staked trails running through Voyageurs National Park. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The walleye bite is picking up on Lake Namakan, and northern pike action remains consistent. The crappies remain quiet on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Live bait, primarily fat heads, seems to be best producer. Use glow jigs for walleye, and small tubes tipped with a minnow or minnow head for the crappies. Snowmobilers are enjoying excellent conditions along the land trails. The lakes are all staked and the Chain Of Lakes Trail is finally open for those wanting an adventurous ride. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Trout action remains good on High, Dry, Tofte and Miners lakes, especially at dawn and right before sundown. Try small jigs with waxworms or small panfish worms for the majority of fish. Lake trout fishing has been slow on Burntside and Snowbank lakes, but patient anglers are catching a few fish. Trout will begin moving into shallower waters very soon, and will be easier to target on deep drops near the shorelines. Most of the fish are being caught while jigging airplane jigs, chubby darters and bionic bucktails. Some anglers are also taking fish be setting ciscoes right on the bottom, or suspending larger minnows on dead sticks. Crappie fishing is gradually improving, especially on Fall, Farm, East Twin and Low lakes. Anglers having the most success are using jigs tipped with small minnows or waxworms. When jigging, tease them up a bit to trigger the bite. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Trout continue to bite in the shallows, with anglers doing well using jigs and spoons tipped with minnows in 25-33 feet of water. On Gunflint Lake, some anglers are having success in 50-60 foot depths. Most of the fish weigh 3- to 6-pounds. Nearby, on Lake Saganaga, lake trout are being pulled from 40-50 foot depths on jigs and minnows. In the mid-Gunflint Trail area, about 25 miles out of Grand Marais, Flour Lake near Golden Eagle Lodge is giving up some good-size lake trout to anglers fishing near the shoreline. Rainbow trout are hitting jigs and minnows in 18-25 feet of water on Trout Lake, with some coming from depths of 50-60 feet. Shoe Lake is producing a few brook trout in 14-22 foot depths near shore. For the most fish, use small spoons and waxworms. On Sunday, March 13, head to Gunflint Lake, located towards the end of the Gunflint Trail, for the annual Trout Derby Picnic & Fishing Contest, with lots of prizes, great food and fishing action the entire day.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, fishing has been great and the season is expected to last a few more weeks! Fish locators continue to be extremely helpful as fish remain suspended. Stop signs and glow-in-the-dark jigs tipped with a minnow have produced a good number of fish. More than 40-inches of ice remains on Lake of the Woods. At the Northwest Angle & Islands area, anglers are taking a nice mix of saugers and perch, especially when using white, red or pink jigs. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
March is a great time for panfish action, and the ice conditions are about as good as they have been all winter. Most panfish have been sluggish during the recent cold spell. This weekend's warmer temperatures should revive these fish, and result in a move to the shallows. Many anglers have been catching perch in 18-24 feet of water off the sides of the mid-lake bars or humps, as well as along the edges of the large shoreline flats. Try jigging lures for perch, but down size if they are not actively feeding. Crappies have been feeding on the edges of the deep holes, with most of the fish found suspended well off the bottom. A good day bite is being reported for the crappies, so anglers may have to keep drilling holes and using their electronics until they locate fish. The sunfish are either on the shallow weed flats or holding on the edges of the mid-depth flats. For the most success, use a small bait and light line with a waxworm or Euro Larvae. Eelpout should be spawning soon on top of chara covered humps or shoreline points with direct access to deep water. Look for groups of fish feeding during low light hours or after dark, with larger spoons tipped with minnows the best bet for catching these fish. 1-877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comCass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes
Perch action has been good on Pike Bay Lake. Anglers are pulling fish from 15-18 feet of water on fatheads and waxworms. 1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Fewer anglers are venturing out since the close of the winter gamefish season. Those that do are catching quite a few crappies and sunnies. The majority of fish are coming in on small jigs and jig spoons tipped with small minnows or waxworms. As snow cover diminishes and the daylight hours grow longer the tullibee bite over the deep basin water will pick up. Lida, Pine, Pelican, Cotton and Long lakes are popular spots for the upcoming tulibee bite. Travel on the lakes remains good, but conditions can change quickly - anglers are asked to call ahead for the most current conditions. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
On Lake Miltona, finding fish has become harder with the recent snowfall, and travel can be difficult - bring a shovel! Schools of jumbo perch have been found in16-22 feet of water using a demon jig and waxworm, with most fish running 10- to 11-inches long. Warmer temperatures over the next week will make ice fishing all the more fun. 1-877-833-2350;
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comPine River Area Lakes
Panfish are biting on days with rising or lowering barometers. Sunfish are more active during the day, and crappies are biting just before dawn and just at dark. Panfish and perch fishing should continue to improve as spring approaches. Please be aware of changing ice conditions, especially at the access points. Channel areas and areas where rivers or streams flow in and out should be avoided at this time. 1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Crappie action has been good, with anglers finding fish in 25-30 feet of water. The Whitefish Chain, and many of the smaller area lakes offer a good bite at dusk. For the most fish, try glow jigs tipped with waxworms, spikes, small crappie minnows or just the heads of minnows. Panfish are active in 10-14 feet of water, hitting small jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes.
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
On Lake Mille Lacs, perch fishing has been best on sunny days following stable weather conditions. Look to the basin areas of the lake, as well as some of the rock transition areas for the most fish. Tullibee action has been extremely good in the deep water. Roads are open to the deeper water, and anglers expect to take some nice perch this weekend. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Ice conditions remain good, and plowed roads are available on many area lakes. Sunnies are biting during the day on the south end of Chisago Lake around the A-Frame and at the Eagle's Nest. Crappies are biting in the middle of South Lindstrom in 22-25 feet of water during evening hours, with crappie minnows, waxworms and Euro Larvae working best. Use small jigs and 2- to 4-pound test line for both the sunnies and crappies. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
The walleye season is continuous where the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin border Wisconsin. Walleye are starting to prepare to spawn. The best location is further north, with fish staging just below the dam at Red Wing. 1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of Friday, March 4, while the area below the dam on the South Branch Root River is somewhat discolored, it is perfect for trout fishing. Anglers fishing Duschee Creek in front of the office report having success using midge larva, hare's ear nymphs and prince nymphs fly patterns. Trout are actively feeding and are in excellent condition. Streams open to winter fishing in the Lanesboro vicinity include Diamond Creek, Etna Creek, Gribben Creek, North Branch Creek, South Fork Root River, Torkelson Creek and Wisel Creek in Fillmore County. Those in Houston County include West Beaver Creek, Bee Creek, Crooked Creek, Daley Creek, Swede Bottom Creek and South Fork Crooked Creek. Consult the 2010 Fishing Regulations booklet, or check with the DNR for the entire list of winter trout fishing streams. Clear and normal conditions are reported for Camp Creek, Canfield Creek, Duschee Creek, Forestville Creek, Gribben Creek, Coolridge/Hemmingway Creek, and the East Beaver Creek within Beaver Creek Valley State Park; the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro is considered off and normal. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
Very few anglers are venturing out due to uncertain ice conditions. As of Friday, March 11, the only access onto area lakes is by foot. Fox Lake is giving up lots of crappies and perch in 12-16 foot depths. Amber Lake anglers are taking crappies and perch from 12 foot depths. On Sisseton Lake, anglers are pulling crappies and bluegills from 12-15 feet of water. And on North Silver Lake, look for perch in 3-6 feet of water. Conditions may change rapidly after today's mid-40 temperatures and high winds. Please use extreme caution, and check with area bait shops for the most current conditions. 1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com"The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism."
