Explore Minnesota Fishing Report February 26, 2010

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February 26, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report
   
This weekend's stable weather and seasonable temperatures should bring out the ice anglers, and likely increase the number of fish coming through the ice. Be sure to head out this weekend since the winter ice fishing season is nearing it's end, with just one more weekend to get out and ice fish for walleye, sauger, northern pike and bass on most inland lakes. Sunday, February 28 is the last day for the 2009-2010 winter gamefish season. Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice on inland waters no later than midnight on Monday, March 1 in the southern two-thirds of the state, and no later than midnight on Tuesday, March 15 in the northern one-third of Minnesota. Consult the DNR Fishing Regulations guide for more specific locations.
The Department of Natural Resources states 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 remember that the distance between vehicles should be at least 100 times current ice thickness - if the ice is one foot thick, vehicles should be more than 100 feet apart. And, please remember that ice is never considered totally safe - contact a local bait shop, resort or vistors' bureau for the most current ice conditions before traveling.

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.


Northeast Minnesota

International Falls

On Rainy Lake, walleye are hitting jigs and minnows in roughly 30 feet of water in Sand Bay, and a little deeper further east near the American Narrows. The new Park Service ice road has opened a large area around Dryweed Island, and anglers with portable gear are doing well at this newly accessible structure. Large northern pike are being taken near the mouths of bays in depths of roughly 15 feet, especially when a large minnow if offered. The crappie action remains sporadic, mostly in Sand Bay. Area snowmobile trails are in mostly good shape, and the groomers are operating on a regular schedule. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

For information on where to fish and what techniques are working best, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

The crappie bite, although in it's early stages, has been fairly good with anglers taking at least a few nice slabs home for dinner. East Twin, Farm, Garden, and Fall lakes have all been giving up some nice crappies in the 10- to 12-inch range, with a few measuring 14- to 15-inches. For the most fish, use the smallest minnow in the bucket on a small silver or white jig fished near the bottom in 21-30 feet of water. The lake trout bite has been exceptional, with some anglers taking huge trout, while others have been pleased with a few eating size trout weighing 3- to 6-pounds. Anglers having the most success are using ciscoes fished on the bottom, with some anglers taking actively feeding trout on baits jigged in the upper third of the water column. Late season northern pike fishing has been great on Shagawa and Birch lakes, but don't overlook the smaller lakes such as Armstrong, Garden, and Johnson. Many anglers are having luck using tip-ups with a sucker minnow suspended about halfway down in 10-15 feet of water - others are doing well by hole hopping using large bucktails and spoons. Walleyes have been slow to respond, but at least a couple fish can be counted on when using small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head. Depths of 15-20 feet have been best. It's been a great time to be outdoors up north in the Ely vicinity! To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Cook & Tower/Lake Vermilion

On Lake Vermilion, walleye are being pulled from the base of the sharp breaks in 26-34 feet of water during the day - during late afternoon hours until dark hit depths in the teens. Large northern pike are roaming the rock piles in the large bays, while the snakes can be found in the shallow, muddy bays. When the game fish season takes a break, anglers will turn their attention to jumbo perch. At this point, downsize your gear, stay mobile and enjoy the great action. And, it won't be long until the crappie bite takes off in the larger area lakes. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or check out www.lakevermilionresorts.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

February weather and fishing action remains excellent on Lake of the Woods. There is roughly 28-32 inches of ice on the lake. Many fish are suspended this time of year, so radar can be very useful. The afternoon bite has been good, and a consistent jigging technique has been successful. For the most fish, use a glow red/pink or gold jig. Fishing on the Reefs has slowed somewhat, with one ice shack on fire while anglers in the next shack may be enjoying some quiet times. The South Shore remains a hot spot. Anglers are taking good numbers of walleye from roughly 33 feet of water, with a few sauger also coming in. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Anglers are allowed to continue fishing for perch, crappies, sunfish, whitefish, eelpout and other non-gamefish species after the gamefish season closes at the end of the day, February 28. Fish should stay in their winter patterns until the snow begins to melt and fresh water starts to run into the lakes, which will help rejuvenate the shallows and trigger fish movement under the ice. Most of the walleye action has been during morning and evening hours when these fish move to the structure to feed on perch, shiners and other baitfish species. Perch havebeen active on the sides of the structure, where they can hunt for a mixture of insects, minnows and crayfish. Lakes such as Winnibigoshish, Cass, Pike's Bay and Bemidji are giving up perch in 28-35 feet of water. Crappie action has been best in 25-45 feet of water, depending on the lake. Crappies can be found suspended well off of the bottom, so anglers should pay close attention to their electronics to where to set their bait. Sunfish can be found in many of the same lakes as the crappies, only much closer to the bottom in the shallower water. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Walker/Leech Lake

Last weekend's 31st Annual Eelpout Festival was a great success! Many elusive eelpout were caught and registered. Quite a few walleyes were taken as well. Ice thickness on most area lakes averages 21-28 inches, however there were several locations on two area lakes that had slush, including at Walker Bay on Leech Lake. This is the last weekend to catch game fish until May 15, 2010. The walleye continue to bite, so this is a great time to do some ice fishing. Please note that anyone venturing out should use caution and check the ice before driving in unfamiliar territory. For more information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Detroit Lakes

To learn what species are biting and where to find them, dial 1-800- 542-3992, or check out www.VisitDetroitLakes.com for more information.
Central Region

Miltona

To find out where the fish are biting and what is working best, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

As temperatures warm, panfish and perch become increasingly active, and late season panfish action is beginning to really heat up! For the most fish, use very light line and change colors of ice flies until you find the right combination. Panfish tend to be deeper during daylight hours, and move into the shallower waters during early morning and late afternoon hours. Perch anglers will find fish in depths of up to thirty feet of water on area lakes that reach that depth. Please use caution and be aware of deteriorating ice conditions as spring approaches, especially around the channels. Overall, it has been a very good ice fishing season in the Pine River area. Permanent ice fishing houses are to be removed by then end of the day, February 28, and Pine River area ice anglers are starting to pull their houses off the lakes. After February 28, anglers may use a house on the ice if they remove it daily. To learn more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd Lakes Area

For information on what's biting and where the hot spots are, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Willmar Area Lakes

Perch and walleye anglers are having success on Eagle Lake. Green Lake is producing some nice-size crappies and walleyes, with fish also being pulled from Lakes Florida and Norway. Ice roads and paths have been created on area lakes, allowing good access to the many fishing hot spots. It is looking like it will be a nice weekend with warmer temperatures - perfect for fishing and enjoying the outdoors. To learn more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye fishing has been a challenge, which is typical for this time of year. Anglers having the most success are fishing the deeper waters. Perch reports have been scattered, however anglers are taking fish from the deep basin areas, as well as the bays, where it seems a pattern is developing. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Waconia

On Lake Waconia, a good crappie bite is being reported at various times of the day. Some days it's been best between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and other days most fish are being taken from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Crappies are coming from depths of 10-14 feet. Daytime anglers are doing well with the sunfish - with some patience, you'll take some nice keepers after doing some sorting. The best action has been in 8 -14 feet of water. The best locations have been in the areas around Center Reef, Pillsbury Reef, and on to the north. Waconia Bay is also a good bet this time of year. Northern pike remain active, with small and medium sucker minnows working best. You'll find these fish in areas where the sunnies and crappies can be found. Walleye anglers are also needing to practice patience, with those having the most success fishing overnight into early morning hours. Nelson's Flats and the North Reef are areas worth checking out. For further information, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro

Area streams are in excellent condition. Fisheries officers report the emergence of blue-winged olives, black stone flies, and numerous midges which are hatching on many area streams. The best time to fish has been during afternoon hours when water temperatures are at their highest. As of February 22, steams that were reported to have clear and low conditions included East Beaver Creek within Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Camp Creek, Duschee Creek, the South Branch of the Root River at Lanesboro, and the South Fork of the Root River. To learn which rivers and creeks are producing the most fish, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit www.lanesboro.com

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