Explore Minnesota Fishing Report March 15, 2012 Few reports are available due to unstable ice conditions resulting from unseasonably high temperatures--the Explore Minnesota Fishing Report will be temporarily discontinued until anglers are able to safely access lakes by boat in most areas of the state.
Since ice conditions are changing rapidly, 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.
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.
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
As of Tuesday, March 13, Rainy Lake was giving up lots of walleye around Grindstone and Dryweed Islands. Anglers having the most success were using jigs tipped with a minnow. Large northern pike continue to be pulled from the area near Rainy Lake City. Crappies are coming from Sand Bay. Anglers are looking forward to open water fishing on the Rainy River, with ice at the accesses beginning to melt. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
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
As of March 13, anglers continued to head out onto area lakes in search of active trout. At that time, an extra pair of boots were recommended due to the deep layer of slush on top of the ice. Good numbers of lake trout were being pulled from Duncan and Daniel lakes, located just off the Gunflint Trail. The best approach was a jig or spoon tipped with a cisco or piece of a minnow, worked in depths of 40-58 feet. Lake trout could be found in 35-50 feet of water on West Bearskin Lake. Splake were hitting waxworms and minnow heads in 12-18 feet of water on Mink Lake, located just north of Grand Marais. Leo Lake was giving up splake in depths of 12-15 feet, with a few anglers also taking some good-sized rainbow trout. And brook trout have been active on Carrot and Shoe lakes, hitting small spoons tipped with waxworms or minnow pieces.
www.visitcookcounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
As of Wednesday, March 14, many Lake of the Woods ice anglers were calling it quits after the previous night low temperature only dipped to 51-degrees! While the ice roads had been closed to trucks, ATV travel was still allowed. Anyone wanting to head out onto the ice one more time this season must call ahead for the latest ice road conditions and restrictions. Open water anglers, however, were getting ready to hit the Rainy River. As of March 14, the river was open between Indus and Birchdale, and expected to be open to Birchdale by next week. The river was also open at Indus, roughly 30 miles east of Clementson. Sturgeon catch-and-release fishing will remain open through April 23--from April 24-May 7, anglers may keep one. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Unseasonably warm temperatures have quickly melted most of the snow on area lakes, as well as taking a toll on the lake ice. The ice fishing season is quickly coming to a close. Anglers were still driving vehicles on the lakes earlier this week, but deteriorating ice conditions will soon reduce travel options to ATV and foot. The ice usually breaks-up along the shoreline first, so the problem is finding a safe way to get on and off the lakes. Even if anglers are able to get on the ice in the morning, there is no guarantee they will still be able to get off the ice safely at the end of the day. Please keep in mind that accesses on the east and south sides of the lakes generally break-up slower than accesses on the north and west sides of lakes because of the angle of the sun. Anyone venturing out onto the ice must constantly monitor ice conditions for the rest of the season and be ready to change plans if ice conditions become unsafe. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
No updates are available due to unstable ice conditions.
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 available due to unstable ice conditions.
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 available due to unstable ice conditions.
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
