Explore Minnesota Fishing Report April 4, 2013 Reports have been very limited, with fewer anglers venturing out due to ice changing conditions, as well as thick snow continuing to hinder vehicle travel on the ice. Those with snowmobiles and ATVs, however, can still take advantage of the excellent end of season ice fishing action in the northern regions. This is a great time to catch jumbo perch, slab crappies and hefty bluegills, and there is an extended season for walleye, sauger and northern pike on most of the border waters.
Please remember that temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the stability of ice which could be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. It is important to check ice depth at least every 150 feet--please exercise caution and check ice depth often. According to the Minnesota DNR, 4 inches of new, clear ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. A minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice is recommended for snowmobiles and ATV's, and at least 8-12 inches of new, clear ice is advised for cars and small trucks. Items recommended for checking ice thickness include an ice chisel, ice auger, cordless drill and a tape measure. Anglers heading out onto the ice should also carry ice claws and a long rope, and wear a floatation device and ice cleats. Check out the Minnesota DNR's Ice Safety web page before heading out, and consult with a local bait shop and lakeside resort for the most current ice conditions.
Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than midnight, March 4, for bodies of water south of Hwy 10, Hwy 34, Hwy 200 and Hwy 2. Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice no later than midnight, March 18, for bodies of water north of Hwy 10, Hwy 34, Hwy 200 and Hwy 2. Fish houses on Minnesota-Canada border waters are allowed through midnight, March 31.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2013/2014 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 11; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 25; muskie, June 1. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations websites for the most current information. And don't miss the 2013 Governor's Fishing Opener held May 10 & 11 in the city of Park Rapids--a community picnic and festival will be offered Friday afternoon and evening, May 10.
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 late last week, the ice remained solid on Rainy Lake, and anglers continued to pull fish through the ice. Most anglers were concentrating on large northern pike. Walleye fishing had slowed somewhat, but walleye and crappies continued to be taken early in the day from 30 feet of water. The best pike fishing was around Rainy Lake City. The best walleye action was around Birch Point. Ramps were expected to open shortly on the Rainy River. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The sloppy spring season has arrived, and this is a good time to start pulling together your open water tackle and preparing your boat. While crappie fishing is still an option, it has been difficult getting out to the hot spots due to sloppy conditions on top of the ice. The snowmobile trails are rideable, but they're fading fast. Local grant and aid trails have been closed, but some state trails will remain open as long as the weather allows. The Kabetogama Ice Road is closed and the lake snowmobile trail is marginal at best. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Travel remained difficult on area lakes late last week, with sixteen inches of snow covering the lake ice, and slush beginning to form beneath the surface. Anglers that put in the effort, however, were doing well with the lake trout. Fish continued to be taken on a dead stick with ciscoes or other minnows. The best depths were slightly shallower, with fish starting to show up in water as shallow as thirty feet. This trend was expected to continue until ice out. Crappie action was picking up, with anglers taking nice numbers using a small jig and tube or minnow imitations; a second line with a small minnow on a dead stick was recommended. 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
Smelt will soon enter area streams. Once the stream water rises to roughly 40-degrees, the smelt will move into these "warm" shallow waters at night. Smelt are so tiny that they can rarely jump over the first set of rapids upstream from the mouth, and therefore accumulate in the shallow pool near the shoreline. Those wanting to try their hand at smelting will need to bring a pair of hip boots or waders, a 1ong-handled net, and a bucket for the netted fish. Wade into the stream near the mouth and sweep your net through the water behind the riffles, boulders, or anything else that blocks the current and gives smelt a place to rest. The most popular smelting rivers are Gooseberry, Split Rock, Beaver, Baptism, Cross, Temperance, Poplar, Cascade, and Kadunce. While there is no season or limit for smelt, you will need a fishing license. In addition, you must not use a flashlight or other artificial light to locate or attract smelt, you must kill your smelt at the stream since it is unlawful to transport or possess live smelt, and you must return to the water all other fish netted while smelting. Please note that fires are allowed only in approved fire rings. .
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The walleye season remains open until April 14th, and the ice is still in great shape. Anglers continue to report lots of success ice fishing. Resorts are transporting anglers to the major hot spots, and anglers are using portables in their preferred locations. A good mix of walleye and sauger are being pulled from 26-30 feet of water, with quite a few trophy walleye found suspended 6-8 feet off the bottom. Knight and Bridges, the reefs west of Long Point, and the mud on the South Shore are all excellent spots to check out. Actively jigging using pink, glow, and gold colors has been best. Anglers also report lots of monster pike, recommending a tip-up and live sucker minnow or dead bait just below the ice with a quick strike rig in depths of 6-12 feet. The shoreline spawning areas, bays, and areas adjacent to feeder streams have been the most productive, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The northern pike season is continuous. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing has been consistent. The edges of the current areas in 18-30 feet of water are attracting nearly all species. During lowlight hours, hit depths of 12-15 feet around Flag and Oak islands. On the Rainy River, open water anglers with Jon boats and other small boats were pushing through the ice into open water near Birchdale, with lots of fish being taken. As of today, April 4, the water was open 5 miles west of Frontier Landing. At the Birchdale Access, located 26 miles east of Baudette off Highway 11, the river was wide open. Frontier Landing, located 16 miles east of Baudette off Highway 11, was plowed and being used but some shore ice remained. And Vidas Landing, located 8 miles east of Baudette off Highway 11, still had shore to shore ice as far as the eye could see. Currently, the walleye bite is very good, with larger walleye reported over the past few days. Water clarity is very good, and the current has been calm. The water level is normal. There hasn't been much of run due to recent cool temperatures. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comHackensack
800-279-6932
Park Rapids
800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Significant snow cover and plenty of ice still cover the lakes. Expect the snow on the lake to be soft with heavy moisture and slush underneath. Some anglers are walking out to their favorite shallow weed flat hot spots for sunfish, crappies and perch. Travel on lakes should be by snowmobile, track vehicles, or foot only. Unless conditions change dramatically over the next few weeks, it may be early May before area lakes are free of ice. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comGlenwood
As of late last week, anglers were having a blast catching crappies and sunnies on Lake Minnewaska, especially on the warm, sunny days when no portables were needed. The Glenwood side of the lake was best for panfish. Lake Reno was producing quite a few crappies. All area lakes still had lots of solid ice, but vehicles were having a tough time getting around. Sled, ATV and foot travel was best.
www.glenwoodlakesarea.orgPine River
800-728-6926;
http://www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
As of late last week, most of the sunfish had moved back into the shallow weed flats near their spawning grounds. "Hole-hopping" in depths of 7-12 feet of water seemed to work best, especially when using wax worms and euro larva; one angler also had success using plastics since they are durable and less time is spent baiting the hook. Crappies had also started moving into the shallows. Action was best during early morning and late evening hours. Areas producing the most fish included those with deep depressions in the large weed flats, particularly spots that were 10-12 feet deep in areas that were averaging 7-9 feet deep. Please note that the ice is quickly turning soft. 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
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
Winona- Mississippi River
800-657-4972;
www.visitwinona.com Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, April 4, the streams were experiencing higher flows and muddy waters during afternoon hours after some snow has melted. As of Tuesday, April 2, the stream conditions were very unpredictable, or flashy, due to greatly increased water flow. At times they were off-colored with a normal flow, and then an hour or so later they were muddy and high. East Beaver Creek was the only stream viewed on Monday that appeared clear and normal. On Thursday, March 28, Little Black Stoneflies were seen in Lanesboro on the South Branch Root River. Excellent midge hatches were also reported. Fisheries staff stated that anglers finding the right conditions should have no problem catching fish, but finding the right water conditions had become a problem. Please remember that Monday, April 1st, was the stream trout catch-and-release opener in southeastern Minnesota. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.org Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
