Statewide Minnesota Fishing Report: March 4, 2009

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Statewide Minnesota Fishing Report: March 4, 2009


Although the walleye and northern pike seasons have closed on inland waters, the gamefish season remains open on some border waters. And, the crappie, sunfish and perch seasons are continuous, with anglers enjoying lots of excellent crappie, perch and sunfish action throughout the state.

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, crappies have been active in Sand Bay on Rainy Lake. Anglers are having the most success using electronics to locate schools of fish suspended off the bottom in 35-40 feet of water. A light jig and small minnow seems to be working best. Walleyes continue to hit in the popular areas around Birch Point, but anglers using portable gear to access areas east of Black Bay are doing extremely well. Northern pike are becoming more aggressive, and anglers are out in search of large trophy-sized pike. The best approach is a large ciscoe on a good-sized hook with a strong leader. Expect the spring walleye run up the Rainy River to be in full swing in the near future. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out www.rainylake.org

Ely

The crappies are ravenous, and slamming small minnows suspended 6 feet off the bottom in 15-25 feet of water. Some of the better locations include such smaller lakes as Low, Twin, Johnson and One Pine. A few nice crappies are also coming out off Birch and Bear Island lakes. Lake trout continue to be pulled from 45-55 feet of water on Burntside and Snowbank lakes. The best approach has been a ciscoe dropped to the bottom, or a white tube jig worked throughout the column. For further information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

Northland bro bug jigs tipped with a minnow or waxworm are triggering crappies on Fish Lake in 14 feet of water. The same presentation is working well on Island Lake, with anglers taking crappies from depths of 16-18 feet during evening hours. The 10-foot weeds on Fish Lake have also have produced bluegills during the day. Fishing in the harbor has been good, and anglers are starting to take some large walleyes. Lake Superior looper and steelhead action is on the increase. 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

Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, sauger and perch this week on Lake of the Woods. Houses are spread out all along the south shore from Pine Island to Zippel and Long Point. The best action has been 10- to 12-miles off shore over 30-34 feet of water. Electronics remain helpful in locating suspended fish in the deeper waters. There have been several reports of large walleye, northern pike and perch so the larger fish continue to bite as well. The ice and road conditions on the lake remain excellent, and ice fishing should continue through the end of March. For more information, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Many of the larger area lakes are producing perch, including Winnibigoshish, Leech, Cass, Pike’s Bay, Bemidji, Blackduck and Plantagenet. Most of the perch are coming from the edges of the large shoreline flats or on top of the mid-lake humps. For the most fish use small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head. Small plastic baits are also working well, especially during an active bite. Anglers should stay on the move until they locate fish. Crappie and sunfish anglers are taking lots of fish from many of the smaller area lakes. Crappies can be found suspended well off the bottom over deep water. The sunfish have been holding at the old weed edges and rocks in 8-16 feet of water. Anglers are having the most success using bobber rigs with small jigs and minnows for the crappies–small jigging spoons tipped with eurolarvae or waxworms are also working well. The sunfish are being taken on small ice jigs tipped with eurolarvae or waxworms. Some anglers are out enjoying all of the early March eelpout action, with fish now spawning on top of the mid-lake humps and shoreline weed flats. These fish, also known as “poor man’s lobster,” can be found using a minnow head or small whole minnow on a jigging spoon, or on bobber rigs tipped with a lively minnow. Anglers are also taking whitefish from the larger area lakes, with fish found suspended over deep water when using small ice jigs tipped with waxworms on light tackle. Whitefish are a great eating fish when smoked. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Park Rapids

Lots of anglers continue to hit the ice in search of perch, bluegills and crappies. Anglers are currently taking good numbers of crappies from both shallow and deep waters. On some lakes, the crappies are cruising deep water environments looking for schools of minnows and plankton. These deep water fish are typically more active during evening hours and after dark. Small crappie minnows suspended high in the water column have resulted in the greatest number of fish this past week. On other lakes, crappies tend to be found at the shallow to mid-depth vegetation. For the most fish, use crappie minnows, or a tiny ice jig tipped with a waxworm at the cabbage weeds and coontail clumps growing along steep drop-offs in depths of 12-16 feet. Anglers wanting to keep their hands warm and re-bait less should try berkely gulp maggots or northland bloodworms. Bluegills action has been excellent, with anglers taking lots of fish in the 9- to 10-inch range from both the shallow and deep water areas. And, jumbo perch are becoming more active as they begin feeding heavily to increase the development of eggs. The nicest fish have been caught in 16-28 feet of water when using small jigging spoons tipped with some larvae or a minnow head. To find out more, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com
Central Minnesota

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

While crappies are beginning to bite in the Lake Mille Lacs bays, most anglers are hitting the ice in search of perch. The best action is on the main lake, however the bays continue to give up lots of small perch. For good numbers of large perch, hit depths of 28 feet of more, where the bait fish are just starting to emerge from the mucky bottom. Stirring up the bottom with a lure or a camera has led to a feeding frenzy! To find out more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar

Anglers are enjoying all of the great panfish action. Crappies have been active on Willmar Lake off of Robbin’s Island, with lots of fish being taken. Norway, Soloman, Florida and Andrew lakes have been hot spots for sunfish and crappies. The best time of day for panfish has been during evening hours. For more information, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities vicinity

White Bear Lake

Areas lakes are not as crowded now that the inland gamefish season has come to a close. The best bite remains 5:00-8:00am and 4:00-7:00pm. Crappies, perch and sunfish are being pulled from White Bear, Bald Eagle, and Centerville lakes. For the most fish, use minnows in 8-14 feet of water at the weeds. Eurolarvae is also working well for some anglers, and a few report taking fish on waxworms. Demon green tops seem to be best, with orange and white pounders being a good second choice. Ice conditions remain great, and ice thickness is currently 24-27 inches. To learn more, contact Explore White Bear at 651/429-5393, or visit www.explorewhitebear.org
Southern Minnesota

Lake City

On the Mississippi River, the open water bite has been a challenge due to the recent arctic temperatures. While some fish are being taken, the bite should really turn on once the water temperature rises into the upper 30’s. The ice bite remains a great option for panfish, especially in the many backwater areas. Access to some of these areas can be a challenge, but it has been well worth it for those willing to put in the extra effort. For more information, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Austin

Very soon, the small bays and backwater areas will become hot spots for panfish action. Bays on the north side of the lakes and areas where streams feed into the lake are often good starting points, and late afternoon hours are typically best. Quiet is a must, especially when fishing near shore. Try a 1/16 ounce jig for the crappies, and 1/32 or 1/64 ounce jigs for the sunnies. Lindy jigs are favorites since they offer both attraction and vibration. Tip them with a tiny waxworm or grub, and if the fish are active, attach a plastic tail for less re-baiting and more fishing. To find out more, dial 1-800-444-5713, or visit www.austincvb.com

Mankato

The east bay on Madison Lake is kicking out sunnies and crappies in 5 feet of water. Crappies and sunnies are also being taken off the north access of Lake Washington in depths of 7-12 feet. And panfish anglers report nice numbers of fish coming from lakes such as German, Big Jefferson, and Francis–for the most fish, hit 10-15 foot depths. To learn more, dial 1-800-657-4733, or check out www.greatermankato.com


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