Explore Minnesota Fishing Report March 2, 2012 Heavy snow recently fell throughout much of central and northern Minnesota. Anglers should be aware that snow may be covering potential hazard areas. Please note that unseasonably warm temperatures have caused ice conditions to change throughout the state--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.
Few reports are available now that the 2011/2012 walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass season has closed for most of the state. Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2012/2013 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. The fishing season for stream trout in streams is catch-and-release only April 1-13; the regular season beginning April 14. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--please check out the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations pages to learn more.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye anglers are doing well throughout Rainy Lake during lowlight hours. In Sand Bay, fish are coming from 30-35 feet of water; elsewhere, most can be found in roughly 20-30 feet of water. Jigging with a white or pink jig tipped with a minnow is working best. Large northern pike are being pulled through the ice around Rainy Lake City in Black Bay, and near the mouth of Cranberry Bay. For the most fish, use a large minnow on a bare hook. There are scattered reports of crappie action around Sand Bay. And snowmobilers will find lots of fresh snow, with more in the forecast. The trails are in great shape. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
While the walleye and northern pike season has ended on Lake Kabetogama, perch and crappie action has kept anglers happy. And die-hard walleye and pike anglers have the option of Namakan Lake, a border water lake, that connects with Kabetogama. For walleye, try live bait on small jigs in 30 feet of water. Northern pike have been most active in 12 feet of water and deeper, with small suckers and tip-ups working well. Both lakes offer lots of ice, plenty of snow and very little slush, making travel easy. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Most anglers have turned their attention to trout and crappies. Good numbers of rainbow trout are being taken on small jigs tipped with waxworms or small minnows. Lake trout anglers are having success using airplane jigs and bionic bucktails tipped with rainbow chubs--popular white power bait tubes are also producing fish. Crappie action has been good for some anglers and should only improve as ice out draws near. There is roughly 22 inches of ice on most area lakes--please note, however, that anglers must use caution at choke points and stream accesses where ice thickness is generally thinner due to currents. 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
Northern pike anglers are taking fish from Homer Lake off the Gunflint Trail. Anglers are having some success in 15-25 feet of water when jigging rapalas or Swedish pimples tipped with a minnow head. Binigami Lake is also giving up fish in 12-16 feet of water to anglers using a jig and minnow. Cascade Lake is producing fish for anglers using jigs or Swedish pimples tipped with minnows in roughly 15 feet of water. Lake trout are coming from various depths on Gunflint Trail's Greenwood Lake. Tait Lake, located north of Lutsen on the Caribou Trail, is giving up fish in depths of 25-35 feet, with some fish found even deeper. Splake are still going strong on Gunflint's Musquash Lake, hitting waxworms and minnow heads on ice flies and small spoons worked in waters 6-16 feet deep. Splake action has also been good on Esther Lake, with fish found shallow, hitting Swedish pimples with minnow heads or waxworms in 6-10 feet of water. And the colorful rainbow trout are active on Trout and Kimball lakes. Anglers are having the most success using jigs and waxworms in depths of 8-18 feet.
www.visitcookcounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, some of the best fishing along the south shore has been in 29-32 feet of water--some anglers are also doing well in depths of 26-28 feet. Afternoon hours have been best, with a nice sauger/walleye mix coming in on brightly colored and glow-in-the-dark jigs tipped with a minnow. Electronics have been especially helpful. And one lucky angler pulled a potential state record burbot from Lake of the Woods just last week -- it weighed more than 19.5 pounds, outweighing the current state record by a couple of ounces. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
Perch action remains strong on Lake Winnibigoshish. The Raven Rocks area is giving up fish in 13 to 18 feet of water, especially from morning until early afternoon. Depths of 12-24 feet have been best from Sugar Bar on east and south to the flat on the backside of Center Bar. Perch anglers are also doing well in The Stumps, at Tamarack Bay, and in the Moses and Snag Hole areas. Anglers are having the most success using smaller glow pink, blue and red rattle spoons tipped with a minnow head. Tulibee are being pulled from the Mud Hole area, and in the deep water off the humps east of High Banks. These fish can be found in 30-40 foot depths, 5-15 feet off bottom. For panfish action, check out Big Cutfoot, Little Ball Club and Six Mile.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
Anglers continue to enjoy some great action on Leech Lake, with large perch, slab crappies and some hefty bluegills being taken from the shallows. A small portable fish shelter allows great mobility and a chance to easily check numerous areas for fish. Walker Bay on Leech Lake and some of the smaller area lakes have ice averaging 24 inches. Please keep in mind that there are some areas with poor ice conditions along the shorelines near river and stream inlets, and at the ice heaves on larger area lakes, including Leech. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
The panfish bite has been excellent on the shallow basin lakes, with lots of nice crappies and sunnies coming from above the weeds in waters less than 12 feet deep. Active jigging presentations are working best. The whitefish bite is just getting started and fish can be found suspended over deep basin areas. Pelican and Rose Lakes, along with Long Lake near Vergas, have been hot spots. Anglers are also enjoying easy travel conditions on area lakes. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
No updates are currently available due to unstable ice conditions in many areas, as well as the close of the 2011/2012 walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass season.
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
1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
No updates are currently available due to unstable ice conditions in many areas, as well as the close of the 2011/2012 walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass season.
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.explorewhitebear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
No updates are currently available due to unstable ice conditions in many areas, as well as the close of the 2011/2012 walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass season.
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
For a list of 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
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
