Minnesota Fishing Report Friday, April 11
The ice fishing season is coming to a close in most areas of the state. Please note that the information in this report was provided prior to the April 10 & 11 snowstorm, which dropped up to one foot of snow in the central region of the state. Please contact area bait shops and resorts for the most current conditions.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/ And, please consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for slot limits on specific lakes.
The opening dates for the 2008/2009 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, lake trout and stream trout in lakes, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; and for muskie, June 7. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
Please remember that ice is never considered totally safe. The DNR reports that 4 inches of ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles and ATV’s, and 8-12 inches of new, clear ice for cars and small trucks. Please note that melting and refreezing makes ice less stable, especially in areas with springs or current. Anglers are asked to please call ahead for the most current conditions before venturing out. Anyone choosing to venture out must use extreme caution and check ice thickness often.
Before heading out, consider learning how to make and use ice picks and claws by checking out the 1-minute video on the DNR website at
www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.htmlAnglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.htmlNortheastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, the shorelines are holding up well, and ATVs are still an option to access the ice. Walleyes continue to be pulled through the ice at Birch Point and the American Narrows in 28-32 feet of water. The Rainy Lake City area is producing walleyes in depths of 36-40 feet during low-light hours. The most consistent walleye action is taking place in the open water on the Rainy River.
Grand Rapids
Roughly two feet of ice remains on most area lakes. Last weekend’s snowfall, however, created lots of slush which ended travel of any kind. If lakes become accessible, check out Bass and Bowstring lakes for panfish.
Ely
Area lakes continue to offer 24-30 inches of ice, so travel has not been an issue. Crappie and perch reports remain fair, with fish hitting small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms. Most of the larger fish can be found suspended over 15-30 feet of water on most area lakes.
Duluth
Inland lakes are covered in quite a bit of ice, and the shoreline ice remains intact. Fish Lake has been best for panfish, with bluegills being pulled from 8-10 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended over depths of 10-12 feet. Kamloop action has improved in the French River area on Lake Superior, with shore anglers taking fish on various presentations, including waxworms under a float, looper bugs tipped with a crawler, and spawn sacs.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, few ice anglers are venturing out. Open water anglers, however, are having lots of success on the Rainy River. The Birchdale access is now wide open, with large boats being launched into the river. Anglers report 100-fish days, with quite a few large walleyes mixed in.
Blackduck
ATVs are still being used to access most area lakes. Blackduck Lake continues to produce perch in 5-20 feet of water. Bluegill action remains strong on Gull Lake in depths of 12-14 feet. Gilstead Lake has been best for crappies in slightly deeper waters.
Bemidji
More than two feet of snow fell last weekend, and this put an end to some excellent panfish action. If the snow melts, and water is drawn away from the surface of the ice, there’s a chance that anglers could walk out and extend the ice fishing season.
Cass Lake
The 6- to 8-foot sand flats on Cass and Pike Bay lakes are producing perch. Bluegills and crappies can be found in 4-12 feet of water in Allen’s Bay on Cass Lake, as well as in the island area on Big Lake. Sucker, Grace and Pimushe lakes are also producing panfish.
Bena
The shallows on the west side of Lake Winnibigoshish had been a hot spot for perch until 24- to 30-inches of snow fell last weekend. While solid ice remains, the deep snow has prevented anglers from venturing out.
Walker
On Leech Lake, thick ice is covered with approximatley 20 inches of snow. While anglers had been experiencing an excellent perch bite, the lake has become very difficult to access due to the abundance of slush and snow.
Park Rapids
Heavy snow covered the ice earlier in the week, ending all ice-fishing opportunities. If the snow melts and the shorelines stay intact, then anglers may be able to access the ice once again. For the stream trout opener this weekend, anglers should check out the Straight River for browns, and hit Kabekona Creek for brook trout.
Detroit Lakes
While the ice is solid, over 1 foot of snow early this week has resulted in a lot of underlying water and slush. Area lakes may be accessible by this weekend. Anglers may then want to check out the Island Lake shallows for lots of bluegills.
Battle Lake
Anglers were using ATVs to access area lakes earlier in the week, and taking sunfish from 6-15 feet of water on Star, East Lost, Rush, Dead, Lida, North Turtle and South Turtle lakes. Crappies were being pulled from depths of 16-21 feet on West Battle, East Battle and Walker lakes.
Alexandria
The shorelines are holding up, and anglers may be able to ice fish at least one more weekend. Lakes Darling and Miltona have been best for panfish, with fish coming from 8-12 feet of water.
Starbuck
Planks are being used to access Reno Lake and the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska. Sunfish continue to be pulled from 10-12 feet of water on both lakes. Depending on the weather, it may still be possible to access these lakes this coming weekend.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, anglers continued to walk out on the north end earlier this week, with sunnies and crappies coming from 14-22 feet of water throughout the day. The shorelines may be inaccessible by this weekend–please call ahead for most current conditions.
Brainerd/Nisswa
The shorelines were holding up well early in the week, with panfish anglers taking the larger fish from the shallows on glow jigs and Eurolarvae. Round, Hubert and North Long lakes have been best for crappie and sunfish action.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, ATVs and walking were the only options for accessing the ice earlier in the week, however the shoreline ice was beginning to break up. At that time, Isle, Cove and Wahkon bays were producing perch in 15 feet of water. Crappies were being pulled from depths of 8-10 feet.
Twin Cities vicinity
Few ice fishing reports are currently available. The shoreline ice on most area lakes is beginning to break up, with open water angling possible by this weekend. Please call ahead for the most current conditions.
Southern Minnesota
Few ice fishing reports are currently available. The shoreline ice on most area lakes is beginning to break up, with open water angling possible by this weekend. Please call ahead for the most current conditions.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
