Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - March 13, 2015

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Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - March 13, 2015
 
    
Jordan’s big pike pulled from Fish Lake – image courtesy of Houston's Guide Service.
Longer days and stronger rays of sunshine have led to an increase in action, with good reports coming from most anglers. These conditions, however, are also causing the ice to deteriorate rapidly. With the recent unseasonably warm temperatures it is imperative to check with a local bait shop or resort for the most current ice conditions before venturing out.

While the gamefish season has come to a close for most of state, panfishing is open and there is an extended gamefish season on some border waters. For fishing season dates, check the DNR fishing seasons web page. Please remember that the new 2015 Minnesota Fishing Licenses went into effect on March 1, 2015.

Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2015/2016 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 9; muskie, June 6. 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.

Again, anglers are advised to work through local outfitters and bait shops since they are the most knowledgeable of current ice conditions. Refresh your knowledge of ice safety by consulting the Minnesota DNR's Ice Safety Guidelines web page.

 

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [Southern]

 

Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

The border water regulations for Rainy Lake and the Rainy River allow walleye fishing until April 14, 2015. The northern pike and smallmouth bass seasons also remain open. Anglers are chomping at the bit to get on the water via the Rainy River launches but it remains unclear when these will be open and ready for use. The recent warm weather has caused the snowmobile trails to deteriorate rapidly. The ice, however, remains strong on Rainy Lake and it should be safe to head out onto the ice for a while longer. The most popular spot currently is around Birch Point in Sand Bay where walleye and crappies are hitting jigs and minnows in roughly 30 feet of water. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Ely

Crappie action is heating up on area lakes, and anglers have been thrilled! Over the weekend, many slabs were pulled from 12-24 feet of water, with some crappies measuring up to 14-inches. Most anglers were using dead sticks with a minnow, but more and more anglers are finding that artificials are working very well for the most aggressive fish. Tiny jig and soft bait combos such as gitzit micros, and small chubby darters and jigging raps are all working well for anglers on the move. Rainbow trout continue to bite on area lakes. Early morning hours have been best, but some anglers are managing to take limits throughout the day. Lake trout remain active, with some coming from waters as shallow as 20 feet. This migration to shallow areas usually coincides with ice out, but this season finds them staging shallow earlier than in previous years. A ciscoe set on the bottom works well and allows you to actively jig with another rod. Small spoons such as little cleos are working well. Anglers are also taking lakers when aggressively jigging chubby darters and salmo zippers throughout the entire water column. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Duluth - Lake Superior and inland waters

The warm temperatures, wind and US Coast Guard Alder ice-breaking ship are taking a toll on the Twin Ports harbor ice, and the ice fishing season has come to an end for Lake Superior. Please note that it is very dangerous! Ice on inland lakes is holding up, but the shorelines are softening so extreme caution must be used.  Panfish are coming in on smaller tear drops tipped with waxies or spikes. Vexilars are extremely helpful.  While travel by snowmobile or ATV is currently an option, travel by foot is now best.  Always use extreme caution with any ice, and especially this time of year. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Ice anglers are enjoying one of the best seasons in years due to great fishing and terrific mobility. Continue to use smaller-sized baits for the most crappies, bluegills and perch. Some of the lakes that typically produce the most late season fish include Big and Little Splithand, Big and Little Cutfoot Souix, Big Balsam, Bowstring, and Pokegama. And, don’t overlook the many wonderful trails that Grand Rapids has to offer. Please remember to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice, especially during late season ice. 800-335-9740;  www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Longer days and greater sunlight are causing an increase in action, with good reports coming from anglers fishing a number of areas on Lake of the Woods. Some of the best reports are coming from depths of 26-31 feet, as well as in the main basin just off Pine Island where anglers are taking a mixed bag of walleye and saugers. Fish remain active near Garden Island and adjacent the deep mud. The reefs on the west end continue to give up some nice fish dinners. Lots of tulibees can be found just about everywhere. The most productive colors are gold, glow red, and pink. Northern pike activity is heating up, and anglers report lots of action in front of the Morris Point Gap and just west of Zippel Bay. Live suckers, frozen ciscoes and smelt on quick strike rig have worked best, especially in 9-14 foot depths, with nice numbers of 40-plus inch pike being reported. On the Rainy River, some large walleye are coming from 15-18 feet of water. Orange is the preferred color according to walleye anglers. Currently, the best mode of travel is by snowmobile. Please note that extreme caution must be used on the river as water is starting to flow rapidly due to this week’s melting. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing remains good. Walleye are being caught in the mud on the south side of Oak Island in 18-22 feet of water. Anglers are also having success by Crow Duck Island in depths of 24-28 feet. Crappie anglers are doing well with slabs up to 16 inches in length.  Fish houses may remain on Lake of the Woods ice through March 31st, and the walleye season remains open through April 14th. The northern pike season is continuous. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji Area Lakes

Signs of spring are suddenly everywhere in the Bemidji area, with wonderful warm temperatures throughout the North Country. The snow pack on the lakes is melting fast, with the run-off flowing back into the lakes and reactivating the shallows. Fish are constantly changing locations as spring approaches. The general direction of most fish during late ice is towards shallow waters. Fish feeding in shallow waters usually have to stay on the move to keep up with the schools of baitfish. Anglers willing to stay on the move and keep searching in the right places are usually rewarded with an active bite once they locate fish. Eelpout have been very active recently, with many of the fish spawning under the ice during the full moon. Once the eelpout have spawned, they head for deep water and become much harder to locate and catch. Jumbo perch are usually the most sought after species during late ice. Since the numbers of large perch are down on many lakes this year, more anglers have been targeting crappies and sunfish. Crappies have been suspended over deep water in the basin most of the winter, but late in the season they move out of the deeper depths and begin staging close to the areas they will frequent once the ice goes out on the lakes. Take a look at a lake map and locate the structures between the winter basin areas and the popular spring spots for crappies, and you should catch fish. Most anglers prefer the evening bite for crappies, but on some lakes the crappies have been more active during morning hours. Bluegills are also active on late ice, often using the old weed beds or suspended off the side of the break line. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Bena -Lake Winnibigoshish

The perch bite is still going strong on Lake Winnibigoshish. Good numbers of fish are coming from the west side, all the way from the Mississippi River inlet north to Mallard Point. Check the main shore drop from 10-12 feet of water out to 25 feet. The best bite has been from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. During afternoon hours, check one of the smaller area lakes for crappies or sunnies. Ball Club , Big and Little Cutfoot, and Portage are all good choices. Travel has been very easy due to the lack of snow. www.lakewinnie.net

Hackensack/Walker Area Lakes

The bite and the weather have heated up nicely! Perch reports on Leech Lake have increased, with anglers having lots of success at Sand Point and the Pine Point/Goose Island area. The larger jumbos have started to move shallow. For the most fish, hit the weeds and weed edges in 4-12 feet of water. Keep moving until you locate a school of active jumbos, then stay mobile and move as they do. Buckshot rattle spoons tipped with a minnow head have been the most productive. Jig the spoon aggressively to attract the fish. On your second line, use a plain hook under a slip bobber with a fathead hooked thru the dorsal fin. Many times the fish will come to the jigging spoon but will hit the fathead swimming around under the bobber. Tullibee reports have been better on the south side of the main lake, including from Trapper's Landing Resort on up towards Horseshoe Bay Resort. Now is the best time of the year to target sunnies and crappies on local lakes. The weeds are usually gone by now, but this year’s lack of snow has allowed some weeds to stay standing, and some are even still green. These weeds attract the panfish, so if you don’t find fish in the usual spots try moving to the weeds. Ice conditions remain stable, and an auger extension is still necessary in many areas. The snow has nearly disappeared--bring your ice cleats since it can get pretty slippery. And please avoid the ice heaves. 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com

Detroit Lakes

Ice on Detroit Lakes area lakes will remain solid for some time to come, even with the unseasonably warm weather over the past couple of days and continuing into next week. While most snow will have melted by the weekend, travel will again be very easy on the ice, however, do not cross any pressure ridges. Please note that ice conditions can change rapidly this time of year, especially during periods with warm weather and powerful sun, so check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current conditions before heading out. Panfish have been the most active in the shallow green weed areas on the flats. Look for crappies off the edges of spawning bays in slightly deeper waters. Small jigs and wax worms remain best baits, but minnows will soon turn more fish as minnows move into shallow waters and become the preferred forage. Expect sunfish to be suspended in the weeds, and perch to locate closer to bottom at the outside weed edges. The tullibee bite has heated up, and fish are suspended over the deep soft bottom areas. For the most tullibee bites, use bright jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or wax worms. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region
Brainerd Lakes Area

As of late last week, panfish were active in the basins within the weed beds, easily located using a topographical lake map. Nice numbers are being taken on clam drop jig tipped with a plastic tail. This technique is also wonderful since you don’t have to re-bait the hook every time. During low light hours, use a  glow jig tipped with a minnow—this seems to help catch the larger fish in the school. Sonar is extremely helpful. If you mark fish and they don’t want to bite, move just a little ways away until you find the biters. 800-450-2838; www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Recent melting has left much of Lake Mille Lacs covered with water. Expect wet and slushy conditions. As of today, the ice measured more than 30 inches in many areas. Conditions can change rapidly, even during the course of a day so be sure to check with a bait shop or resort for the most current ice conditions before venturing out. The northern pike season on Lake Mille Lacs remains open through March 29, 2015, with 10 northern pike allowed in possession; only one of these ten can measure over 30 inches. To learn more, check out the DNR’s Lake Mille Lacs Regulations page. 888 -350-2692; www.millelacs.com