January 26, 2012 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Many anglers continue to take excellent numbers of fish. Please note, however, that current warm temperatures throughout the state may cause ice conditions to change rapidly--it is extremely important to use caution when heading out! Anyone considering a trip out onto the ice must first check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions. Anglers venturing out are asked to carry ice claws and a long rope, wear a floatation device, and check ice depth often. Please stay informed, and brush up on Minnesota DNR Ice Safety Tips before heading out on your next ice fishing adventure. The most current Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Reports may also be useful.
The fishing season for walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass remains open through February 26, 2012. Smallmouth bass, however, are catch-and-release only from September 12 through February 26. The winter season for lake trout within the BWCA runs December 31, 2011 through March 31, 2012--outside of the BWCA, January 14-March 31. The winter season for stream trout in southern Minnesota is catch-and-release only, and runs from January 1 through March 31, 2012. The season for stream trout in lakes is January 14-March 31, 2012.
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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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Fishing has been good on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, with anglers reporting a steady northern pike bite, along with quite a few walleye and jumbo perch. The ice road on Kabetogama allows anglers access to a variety of great fishing areas. For the most walleye, hit 26-32 foot depths using glow jigs, charmers, fat boys or eye drops, tipped with a head or tail of a minnow. Northern pike anglers using tip-up combos and smaller sucker minnows in 12-20 feet of water are taking lots of pike and an occasional walleye. There are many more permanent houses on Kabetogama this year due to the lack of slush. The 5-plus inches of snow that fell last weekend brought the total accumulation to roughly 1 foot, enough for good sledding on both the lake and land trails. Expect these trails to be groomed prior to the weekend. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
The trout season remains good for most trout anglers fishing area lakes. Dead sticking ciscoes on the bottom seems to be the most successful, however, aggressively jigging an airplane jig, bucktail or chubby darter with a minnow or minnow head is also working well. Most lake trout are being pulled from 45-55 feet of water. Rainbow trout are hitting small dark-colored jigs tipped with wax worms, especially in waters less than 20-feet deep, close to shore. The best bite for rainbows has been early in the morning. The crappies are becoming more active, and the bite is expected to improve. The best approach has been a small minnow, or a white or white/green jig tipped with a waxworm or gulp bait. The majority of crappies are coming from 12-20 feet of water, however, anglers fishing Bear Head Lake are taking crappies from roughly 30 feet of water. 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
Most lakes in Cook County now have solid, thick ice, and the fishing has been excellent. Trout reports have been good for lakes along the Gunflint Trail, with one angler taking a 30-inch lake trout from Gunflint Lake. Another angler took her 33-inch lunker-sized trout from a border lake. Trout Lake has also given up quite a few nice-sized fish. For the most success, look for suspended fish in depths of 21-26 feet early and late in the day. The walleye are biting in 15-20 feet of water, and the main lake bars on Poplar Lake are giving up walleye and perch in 10-18 feet of water. On Devil Track Lake, just outside of Grand Marais, northern pike action has been exceptional, with anglers using tip-ups in 11-21 foot depths consistently raising flags. Other anglers are having lots of success jigging or bobber fishing with small jigs tipped with waxworms or crappie minnows.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods anglers report that the recent cold spell has led to 20-plus inches of ice in areas being fished and traveled. While sub-zero temperatures seemed to make some fish finicky, anglers continue to take limits and large fish. Action remains strong from 7-10 miles north of Pine Island to roughly 31-33 feet of water extending the entire south shore over to Arnesens. Anglers are having the most success using gold or glow-red jigs--use your electronics since some walleye have been suspended. At the Northwest Angle, a great mix of walleye, sauger, northern pike, crappies, whitefish and smallmouth bass are being reported. The walleye and sauger action has been best when using gold tackle in 27-29 feet of water. The snowmobile lake trail from the south end of the lake near Sportsman's Lodge to Oak Island and the Northwest Angle is groomed, marked and in great condition. The trail from Warroad is not marked, and travel is discouraged at this time. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the deep shore drop-offs are producing jumbo perch in depths of 24-30 feet. Snag Hole on the west end and Moxey drop on the east end are producing good numbers of perch. The main lake bars are also holding perch on the mud line and down to deeper depths. The Mississippi River mouth, Third River area, and into the Bowans Flat's area have been good for shallow water perch. While you will need to drill some holes to locate the schools of perch, they can easily be found. Walleye are going strong on top of the main lake bars in 15-20 feet of water during low light hours. Buckshot rattle spoons with a minnow head have been best, especially at Bena and Sugar bars, and the humps north of Third River Bar. Northern pike action has been good for pike anglers using tip-ups, with fish 3-6 feet off the bottom on the upper portions of the structure--many fish have been in the 3-8 pound range. While ice is now 20-22 inches thick in most areas, there are some "live" ice heaves to be aware of--most are marked, with alternative routes posted. Please use extreme caution near the ice heaves, and be sure to check a resort where you plan to access the lake for the most current information.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
Several days of below zero temperatures led to an additional 4 inches of ice on Leech Lake and other area lakes. Most areas have ice measuring 17-20 inches thick, with an average of 17-18 inches in Walker Bay. Crappie anglers continue to take limits daily, with most fish found suspended 4-10 feet off the bottom in depths of 25-35 feet of water. Electronics are key to pinpointing where the fish are in the water column. Walleye anglers are doing very well during morning and evening hours. Spearing for northern pike has been incredible this past week, with an 18-pound and a 20-pound pike taken the same day by two different anglers. One fish was 40.25-inches in length, and the other was 40.65 inches. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Several more inches of ice have been added to area lakes, and recent snowfall has made lake travel by snowmobile much easier. Please note that many of the lakes have pressure ridges due to an unusual season of thawing and freezing--do not cross these pressure ridges. The walleye bite has slowed a bit due to recent fronts. The panfish bite, however, remains stable. These fish have transitioned to deeper water following the fronts, and most fish can be found suspended above the weeds. Working small jigs and jigging spoons tipped with waxworms has been best, especially in depths of 16-26 feet near the sharp breaks off the main lake flats. The large number of portables indicates that locations are changing and mobility is important to stay on active fish. The perch and panfish bite has been fairly consistent throughout the day due to the increased snow cover, although fish are still most active during evening hours. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comPine River
1-800-728-6926;
http://www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Walleye are coming from 15-32 feet of water on Gull, North Long, and Round lakes--red or chartreuse jigging spoons, as well as set lines with rainbow or shiner minnows are turning the most fish. Crappie action remains good on Round and Cullen lakes in 23-32 feet of water, with glow jigs and rosy red minnows producing the most fish. Northern pike anglers are pulling fish from the inside and outside weed edges in depths of 10-15 feet on Gull, North Long, and Edwards lakes. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
On the east side of Lake Mille Lacs, ice conditions are improving and there has been some travel to structure further out in the lake. Resorts and bait shops advise all anglers to check with them prior to any travel and to always stay on the marked roads. Anglers are taking lots of walleye and perch, including some very large fish, from 25 feet or more in the area south of Big Point. Cove, Isle, and Wahkon bays continue to provide steady perch and pike action in 10-15 feet of water during the day. On the west end of the lake, ice conditions have improved, however, anglers remain limited to fishing in the bays. Depths of 12-16 feet at Wigwam, Garrison, and St. Alban's bays have been best for walleye, northern pike, and perch--the key is to stay mobile and look for aggressive fish. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Anglers continue to take good numbers of fish from Willmar area lakes. Crappies and sunnies have become the hot ticket, with Diamond, Eagle, Green, Florida and Andrew lakes giving up lots of large crappies and sunfish. Walleye are being pulled from these lakes as well. The shallow prairie lakes, including Wakanda, Big Kandiyohi, Foot and Willmar, have 6-12 inches of ice, as well as many open water spots. The deeper lakes, including Florida, Green, Eagle and Diamond have 12-15 inches of ice, but many also have ice heaves. Current warm temperatures will likely cause ice conditions to change--it is extremely important to use caution when heading out, and all anglers must first check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current conditions! 1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
As of last week, crappies were biting in depths of 24-26 feet of water on Chisago Lake from 4:30 p.m. towards dusk. South Lindstrom Lake was giving up crappies and walleye in front of the hospital--the crappies were biting in 22-24 feet of water, with the walleye coming from 16-18 foot depths along the weedline. North Center Lake was giving up crappies on crappie minnows, waxworms and euro larva near Nelson Island. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
While White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes now have an average of 13 inches of ice, no one should drive onto these or other areas lakes. Bellaire Beach on White Bear Lake has been barricaded due to vehicles continuing to drive onto the lake from this location, despite two vehicles falling through the ice in the past two weeks! The ice is also very thin around the island. Anglers fishing areas with more stable ice conditions report good numbers of crappies, sunnies and even walleye. All vehicle access to the Bald Eagle Lake has been banned by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Water Patrol until further notice. It is extremely important that all angers first check with a local bait shop for the most current conditions. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
The stream trout season opened January 1, and while the season is catch-and-release for brown trout and rainbow trout, the bite has been good on area streams and anglers report lots of action! For a list and maps showing designated winter trout fishing streams, visit the Minnesota DNR Winter Trout Streams page. 1-800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.orgFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
Late last week, perch were active at the Edgewater Pier on Fountain Lake. Crappie anglers were taking good numbers from the Shoreland Beach area. The channel area could be counted on for walleye and sunnies. And at that time, all anglers venturing out were advised to use extreme caution and check with a local bait shop for the most current conditions. 1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
