Explore Minnesota Fishing Report as of Friday, February 27

[mudbrook]

Explore Minnesota Fishing Report as of Friday, February 27

 While the walleyes and northern pike seasons have closed on inland waters, the gamefish season on some border waters remains open. And, the crappie, sunfish and perch seasons are continuous, with anglers enjoying lots of excellent crappie, perch and sunfish action throughout the state. The fish house/shelter removal deadline for the southern part of the state is March 2, and the deadline for shelter removal in the northern part of the state is March 16. And, fish houses and shelters may be on the ice between midnight and one hour before sunrise when occupied or attended after the March 2 and the March 16 deadlines. Please consult the Fishing Regulations handbook for areas designated as southern and northern Minnesota--regulations are available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/fishing/index.html. Anglers choosing to venture out are encouraged to call ahead for the most current ice conditions. Please note that the Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of new, clear 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 ice is never considered totally safe. For more on ice thickness guidelines and ice safety tips, check out Ice Thickness Guidelines by the Department of Natural Resources website. Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales

Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

On Rainy Lake and other area border waters, the walleye and sauger season remains open until April 14–the northern pike and smallmouth bass seasons are continuous. At present, Birch Point and the American Narrows continue to be walleye hotspots on Rainy Lake. It is very easy to travel with portable gear and many have ventured to structure further east. The walleyes have been most active in 20-35 feet of water. Large northern pike are coming from somewhat shallower waters. And, the Rainy River is also giving up lots of walleyes. Area snowmobile and ski trails are in excellent condition. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Anglers report an increase in crappie action, and this bite is expected to continue to improve. For the most crappies on Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point lakes use a plain hook or light jig tipped with a small minnow or minnow head in 30 feet of water. Area Canadian border lakes have an extended gamefish season which remains open through April 14. Walleye anglers should consider their favorite fishing holes on Namakan and Sand Point now that ice conditions have improved. And, area snowmobile trails are in excellent condition, and the land trails have a solid 25-inch groomed surface–expect these trails to hold up for quite some time! To find out more, dial 1-800-524-9085, or visit www.kabetogama.com

Ely

The lake trout bite remains excellent, especially on Snowbank Lake. Crappies have been cooperative on Twin Lakes which are located north of Burntside, and on Johnson and Bass lakes. For the most fish, use small minnows under a slip bobber in depths of 8-15 feet at the drop-offs. The water in most area lakes is crystal clear so you can almost sight fish by watching each twitch of your bait. And, snowmobile riders and cross-country skiers report very good to excellent trail conditions! For further information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Grand Marais

Greenwood Lake is producing lake trout in 50 feet of water, with fish found suspended. For the most fish, use ciscos or chubs. Lake trout are also being pulled from Gunflint Lake. The best approach has been a Swedish pimple tipped with a chub worked in 40-45 feet of water. Kimball Lake is giving up rainbow trout in depths of 15-20 feet, with ice flies and waxworms taking fish off the bottom. This Saturday, February 28, the Cook County Snowmobile Club is hosting a Trout Derby at Gunflint Lake, with food and lots of prizes available. To learn more, dial 1-888-922-5000, or check out www.grandmarais.com

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

On Lake Superior, anglers are still fishing on the bay by the Park Point Airport, with some nice-sized walleyes coming through the ice. Some anglers are launching at Two Harbors and trolling on the big lake for salmon now that the water has warmed up a few degrees. Shore anglers report taking some kamloops and cohos near the French River on looper bugs and waxworms. Crappies remain active in the Highbanks area of Fish Lake. Bluegills have just started to bite on Fish Lake in depths of 8 feet. Last week’s cooler temperatures have reduced the slush on the ice, making travel much easier than it has been. To find out more, dial 1-800-4-DULUTH, or check out www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

The walleye bite remains strong on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Fish houses are currently placed roughly 10-12 miles off shore over depths of 31-34 feet of water, with nice limits of walleyes and sauger being taken. The ice is in good shape and the plowed roads are open. Please remember that fish houses can stay on Lake of the Woods until the end of March so there is a lot more time to take advantage of the excellent ice fishing action. And, riders report that the land and lake snowmobile trails are groomed and in great condition! For more information, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Although the walleye season has closed on inland waters, anglers can still have a blast with the perch, crappies and sunnies, especially during the month of March which is considered by many to be the best month of the winter for panfish! Most of the larger area lakes hold jumbo perch. Some of the better lakes for perch include Lake Winnibigoshish, Cass, Pike’s Bay, Bemidji, Blackduck and Leech. Perch spawn almost as soon as the ice is off the lakes so they are hungry and aggressive late in the ice fishing season. Perch will begin to move towards the shallows as winter progresses, traveling in large schools and moving through an area like a tornado and eating anything possible. Anglers should stay on the move until they locate active fish. Crappies and sunnies can be found in some of the bays of the larger lakes, as well as throughout most of the smaller area lakes. Crappies spend much of the winter suspended over the deep water, feeding on zooplankton and minnows. Sunfish prefer the mid-depth mud flats, weeds and rocks. Crappies are most active during morning and evening hours, while perch and sunfish activity is best during daylight hours. Anglers with sonar should watch for suspended fish and present their bait either at or above eye level. Most panfish anglers have success using small ice jigs tipped with minnows, waxworms or Eurolarve. Some anglers report that tiny plastics can out-perform the real thing since they do not have to continually re-apply bait. Some anglers also enjoy great late season whitefish and eelpout action, with peak bites for both species taking place in March. Area lakes still have plenty of ice for ice fishing, and conditions have actually improved in recent weeks. Anglers should still watch out for isolated areas of slush, especially where there is a significant amount of snow left on the ice. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker

Ice conditions on area lakes are great! While the ice fishing season has ended on area waters for walleyes, bass and northern pike, now is a great time to take out your portable ice fishing shelters and search for perch, sunnies and crappies. Some of the best panfishing will probably occur during the next month. Expect fish to move shallower as the season progresses. In the next week or so, look for panfish in depths 10-15 feet. For more information, dial 218/547-1313, or visit www.leech-lake.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

The Miltona Lakes area had another great weekend of fishing! Warming spring temperatures have made the fish even more active and they are eagerly chasing bait. Crappie and sunfish anglers are having lots of success using moon glows and frosties tipped with waxworms or crappie minnows. Most of the fish are coming from depths of 10-12 feet. Look for the green cabbage weedbeds in these depths for the most productive locations. The perch have also been biting, with fish found on the shallow flats with a rock and sand mix. Morning and evening hours have been best. For more information, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Brainerd

The perch action has been great on Gull Lake, and fish should remain active into the spring. The sunfish and crappie bite has also been steady, and should also continue to improve. Area lakes are in great shape for traveling now that the snow on the ice has melted. Most sunfish anglers are finding fish in 10-15 feet of water using small northland bro bloodworms. The crappies have been going strong in the deeper basin areas, especially during evening hours. For the most fish, use crappie minnows and demon jigs. While some nights have been excellent and some have been average, most anglers have been happy with all of the activity. To learn more, dial 218/822-7118, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Two huge fishing tournaments were held on Lake Mille Lacs last weekend, and both went very well. The perch season is definitely here, with most of the action taking place on the southeast quadrant of the lake over a soft bottom in 30-plus feet of water. The best activity is during daylight hours at the deeper non-structure areas of the lake. Perch are being pulled from areas with a muddy bottom where they are finding food, and most of the jumbos are coming in on waxworms, Eurolarvae, freshwater shrimp and minnows. To find out more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar

The ice fishing season has come to a close for walleyes, northern pike and bass on area lakes. Norway, Andrew, Green, Diamond, Eagle and Willmar lakes were some of the better producers, and continue to give up lots of crappies. Anglers report that fishing has been somewhat inconsistent, although roughly half reported excellent fishing action! The panfish and perch season is continuous–expect panfish and perch fishing to improve as the ice fishing season progresses. For more information, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities vicinity

No reports are currently available for this region of the state.
Southern Minnesota

Lake City

On the Mississippi River, the open water bite came to a screeching halt with the last blast of arctic air. Now, with the recent warmer temperatures, the bite is expected to take off again. Look for March to be an excellent time for lots of great fishing. The walleye/sauger bite taking place on Lake Pepin remains a great option for those with portable ice shacks. Fish are being taken just a short walk from the Florence Township Landing in 20-30 feet of water. The walleye/sauger season on this section of the Mississippi River is continuous. For more information, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org


“The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.”