Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update March 6, 2014

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Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update    March 6, 2014
   

The extreme cold temperatures have finally moved on, and much milder and more pleasant temperatures have taken hold. Those that ventured out earlier this week confirm that the fish are biting, and this warm up should lead to even more active feeding. While the gamefish season has come to a close for Minnesota's inland waters, don't miss out on the excellent panfish action just around the corner. Please note that there is an extended walleye and northern pike season on border waters; consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for seasons on individual bodies of water.

Refresh your knowledge of ice safety guidelines on the DNR Ice Safety web page, and remember to check ice conditions often. 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. 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 is recommended for snowmobiles and ATV's, and at least 8-12 inches 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. Consult with a local bait shop or lakeside resort for the most current ice conditions.

The 2013/2014 fishing season has closed for walleyes, northern pike and other gamefish species for most of Minnesota's inland waters, and the 2013/2014 Minnesota fishing licenses expire on February 28, 2014. New 2014/2015 Minnesota Fishing Licenses go into effect on March 1, 2014. Licensed anglers are allowed to fish year-round for panfish and rough fish species. This includes popular species such as crappies, sunfish and perch, along with less fished species such as whitefish, tulibees and eelpout.

Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2014/2015 Fishing Season for most inland waters are as follows: walleyes, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; muskie, June 7. 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.

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Northeast Minnesota

International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Walleye fishing is decent, but anglers expect the walleye and crappie bite to really heat up as the daytime temperatures rise above freezing. Currently, the best bite is in 20-30 feet of water for walleye, and 10-15 feet of water for northern pike. Anglers are also looking forward to the annual Rainy River rush for walleyes during some of the first open water fishing in the state. The launches are still frozen so it will be a while. State and county officials will cooperate to assure that the ramps will be open once it is safe. Border water regulations allow the walleye season to remain open on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River until April 15. The snowmobile trails are in fair to excellent condition, with the best conditions in the elevated woodlands. When crossing the lake surfaces, please stay on the staked trails to avoid pockets of slush and very rough surfaces. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Ely

Anglers have turned their attention to crappies and sunnies, along with various trout species. Decent numbers of crappies and sunnies are being reported by anglers using small minnows on a dead stick, or jigging with small spoons or jigs tipped with wax worms or minnow heads. Some nice rainbow trout are also being taken. Since there are no ice roads, travel must be by foot or snowmobile. Anglers pursuing rainbows, browns and brook trout are doing well when using small spoons, especially when tipped with either small salted minnows or wax worms. Please remember that live minnows are prohibited on designated trout lakes. Difficult travel conditions remain on most lakes, and there are still some slushy patches underneath the frozen crust of ice which may prevent travel off the beaten path. Please refrain from drilling holes where there are plowed ice roads since these holes will lead to flooding. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

The walleye season remains open until April 14 on area border waters such as Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake. The northern pike season is year-round. Permanent fish houses may remain on the ice through March 31. Fishing is still consistent in multiple locations, with anglers having success in 26-28 and 30-32 feet of water over the mud. For lots of eating-size walleyes and saugers, jig frozen shiner heads or use a dead stick with a live minnow. Electronics have been very helpful, as have bright colors, plain hooks and buck shots. Near Knight and Bridges islands, the reefs continue to produce fish, with glitter gold, gold/pink and pink/white colors turning the most fish in 29-31 feet of water. Lots of large saugers are coming in with the jumbo perch. Active northern pike are being pulled from depths of 8-12 feet when tip-ups are set halfway down. Walleye are officially in pre-spawn mode on the Rainy River and at Four Mile Bay. Morning and evening hours have been best near the mouth of the river, near the airport, and to the east by Clementson Bay; locate deep pockets and jig near the adjacent rivers for the most action. Up at the Northwest Angle, limits are filling quickly with numbers of eating-size walleyes and saugers. Gold, pink, chartreuse and orange depths have been best in depths of 24-28 feet. Northern pike and perch are active nearly. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena -Lake Winnibigoshish

Lake Winnibigoshish anglers are reporting in an increase in perch action, especially along the west side. River Bar, Sugar Bar, and Sugar Point up through Ravens have been hot spots. Depths of 12-20 feet have been best, but when the action slows, move to depths of 5-10 feet. Some of the humps to the north of Third River Bar are also putting fish on the ice. Tulibee are biting in the deep basin areas, in 30-40 feet of water off the main lake bars. Roads continue to be plowed in several areas; contact your resort for the most current conditions. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker -Leech Lake

Now is a great time to work the shallows of Leech Lake for perch, slab crappies and hefty bluegills. For this time of year, use a small portable fish shelter that can be pulled around by hand so you can reach the best areas. When panfishing, remember to remain mobile and travel light, with some of the best panfishing of the winter season taking place in late March and early April! Ice thickness on Leech Lake remains mostly 24-38 inches; some of the smaller area lakes have ice measuring 24-28 inches. Statistics are now available from the 35th Annual International Eelpout Festival, with the largest eelpout weighing 11.98 pounds. A total of 340 eelpout were caught, down significantly from last year. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Hackensack

Anglers really hunkered down during last week and weekend's cold spell so few reports are available. Those that did head out confirm that fishing remains good, and this current warm up should cause the perch and panfish to feed actively. On Leech Lake, Walker Bay, Goose Island, Duck Points, Grassy Point, and Kabekona Bay should continue to be hot spots. Crappies are biting well during morning and evening hours on many of the smaller area lakes, especially just before dark on glow jigs and crappie minnows. Be sure to watch for schools of biting fish to pass through. A great combination is a bobber set-up for a deadstick, with a jig rod on the side; the deadstick often gets some of the finicky fish to bite. 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com

Park Rapids

The current mild temperatures are forecasted to stick around for quite a while, making fishing from a portable fish house much more enjoyable. An ice jig tipped with a waxworm on light line is working well for crappies; crappie are less likely to attack large lures due to low oxygen levels in area lakes after a long, cold winter. Two Inlets, Island, Pickeral and Mantrap lakes are all producing some nice fish. During the day, set up over 30-40 feet of water, then move to depths of 15 feet at dusk or after. Most of the crappies are suspended at varying depths so sonar equipment is extremely helpful. The same combinations will work to catch area bluegills. The north side of Fish Hook Lake and the west arm of Potato Lake are good locations to check out. Fish can be found feeding in and around the weed cover in 5-15 feet of water. The bite is light, so a spring bobber will be helpful in detecting the fish. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

Plenty of ice remains on area lakes, and decent travel conditions to most of the community fishing holes continue to be reported. Panfish action has been good. Crappies are still suspended over deep basin areas. Sunfish can be found off the deep breaks, but most of these fish are high in the 9-12 foot weeds. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region

Otter Tail Lakes Country

Anglers are anxiously awaiting the spring panfishing action which will soon kick into high gear. Many look forward to skipping from hole to hole with their buckets rather than "shacking up" in a fish house. When the time comes, bring your auger, a few poles, and sonar equipment if possible. Wear loose-fitting clothes so you drill holes and move around easily. Holes generally stay open during late winter/early spring temperatures so common fishing areas will have a lot of holes to choose from -- just kick with your heal and you'll be ready to wet a line. If you have sonar equipment, "scan" the open holes for elevated fish, or stand over your hole and watch for fish to approach your lure/wax worm. Once you find a zone with multiple "marks" or fish, it's time to set up camp. When drilling a new set of holes, try to drill off to the side of the "common" fishing areas in an attempt to discover an undisturbed group of fish. For the next couple of weeks, bring an auger extension. Use a crappie tip-up similar to what's used for northern pike and walleye, but make it lighter, and use a small crappie minnow. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Glenwood

As of last week, fewer anglers were venturing out onto Lake Minnewaska. Now that the extreme cold temperatures have moved on, panfish anglers should head out once again. Anglers have been pulled some nice crappies coming from the Glenwood side of the lake at dusk and later. Sunfish that have been located, have been good-sized. 320-634-3636
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Waconia/Lake Waconia

The primary source for the Lake Waconia fishing report has closed for the season so there will be no information on Lake Waconia fishing until the open water season begins. 952-442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams

As of March 6, most streams are running clear and low. Anglers are looking forward to this weekend when temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-20's, resulting in perfect conditions for trout action. There should also be some great midge hatches. Once temperatures rise above freezing, expect the trout to turn more sluggish due to cooler water temperatures as a result of melting ice and snow. This is the weekend to head out! Please note that the Catch & Release season remains in effect until April 13, 2014; only barbless hooks are allowed at this. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com