February 25, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report This is the last weekend of the season to fish for walleye and other gamefish in Minnesota's inland waters. The season closes at midnight on Sunday, February 27, 2011. Now is the time to head out for some great late season ice fishing action!
Anglers are encouraged to bring along a friend and some long rope. If venturing out alone, wear a life jacket and let someone know where you are going. No ice is every considered fully safe - please check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions before venturing out. 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 the 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 visitor's bureau for the most current ice conditions before traveling.
Please check out the Minnesota DNR Ice Safety page for helpful, and potentially life-saving, ice safety tips.
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Travel has become much easier on Rainy Lake, with sledders and portable gear now able to reach hot spots east of the American Narrows. Walleye are hitting jigs and minnows in 35-40 feet of water. Smaller walleye are being pulled from Sand Bay, with larger walleye taken from popular spots to the east, including the American Narrows. Large pike are being caught near the mouth of Black and Cranberry bays. Crappie action has been sporadic, but many are coming from Sand Bay. The snowmobile trails are in good shape except where a few logging operations have left bare gravel. Trails from Rainy Lake to Kettle Falls and Crane Lake in Voyageurs National Park are open and staked. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The slush has solidified on most of Kabetogama and Namakan lakes, making most of the lakes accessible to sleds and four-wheelers. For the most success, try 28-35 foot depths using pink or red glow jigs tipped with a minnow. Land snowmobile trails are in great shape, and the lake trails should remain good with a little additional snow cover. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
The recent warm weather melted the insulating blanket of snow covering most lakes, and the more recent freezing temperatures have transformed formerly impassible surfaces into hard ice roads. Travel is finally possible to most of the popular fishing holes. Just a few more days remain to ice fish for walleye and northern pike, with the winter season closing February 27. Anglers heading out this weekend should hit the drops in 16-21 feet of water, early and late in the day. Jigs and small rattling spoons tipped with full minnows or minnow heads have been best for walleye. For northern pike, use a 4- to 6-inch shiner or sucker minnow. Crappie anglers should check out Bass, Low, Armstrong, and East Twin lakes. Most fish continue to hug the bottom, however the most active feeders will be suspended 2-8 feet off the bottom. Jigs tipped with minnows and small waxworms are the key to success. Lake trout continue to be taken on Burntside and Snowbank lakes. Most anglers are doing well using airplane jigs and white tubes, with a good number coming in on ciscoes laid right on the bottom in 45-60 feet of water. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
The best walleye bite has been at the structure or humps located in roughly 18 feet of water. Anglers report taking lots of perch from Lake Winnibigoshish, however no further information has been offered. Ice conditions remain good, and travel on the ice has become much easier. ATVs and snowmobile remain best for travel, but some areas are plowed for car and truck access.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Fishing remains good on Lake of the Woods, with even larger fish being reported. Electronics are highly recommended as most fish are suspended anywhere from 5-20 feet off the bottom. The sauger to walleye gap seems to be closing, with a great number of walleye getting pulled through the ice. At the Northwest Angle & Islands area, walleye anglers are taking good numbers of fish from 23-28 feet of water, especially during morning and afternoon hours. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
This is the last weekend of the season to fish for walleye and other gamefish in Minnesota's inland waters. The season closes at midnight on Sunday, February 27, 2011. Ice conditions on area lakes are probably the best they've been most of the winter. Anglers may still find areas of slush under piles of snow; anglers in vehicles should still travel in pairs with a tow strap, and avoid areas with ice covered by snow drifts whenever possible. Walleye anglers are catching fish during morning and evening hours on most clear water lakes, with a better day bite on the lakes with coffee-colored water. Most of the walleye are moving to the structure in 16-24 feet of water during peak feeding periods, then holding in deeper water when resting. Perch have been split between deep and shallow waters, with most of the larger females still holding in deeper waters. Food is the key to perch location, with lucky anglers fishing schools of perch actively feeding. Crappies can be found suspended over deeper water; again, look for actively feeding schools of crappies. Use electronics to try and pick off the highest riding crappies to avoid spooking the entire school. Sunfish have been on the moderate depth mud flats, as well as in the old weed beds, depending on the lake. Some lakes will have crappies and sunnies mixed in similar areas. Anglers can use waxworms or Euro Larvae on small jigs and light line for both the crappies and sunnies in most situations. 1-877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
The 32nd Annual International Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake ended Sunday, February 20. The largest eelpout taken during the festival was caught that morning, and weighed-in at 13.33 pounds! The ice conditions many great on many of area lakes despite the record high temperatures at various towns and cities in the Leech Lake Area just last week. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comCass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes
The perch bite has been very good at Allen's Bay on Cass Lake. Nice walleye are also being taken just before dark. The best depths have been 15-18 feet, however some anglers report also doing well in 24 foot depths. Anglers are enjoying access to most areas of the lake now that all of the melted snow has frozen over. While this is the last weekend for walleye and northern action until the May opener, there will be some excellent perch action for a few more weeks, depending on how the ice holds up.1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comPark Rapids
Walleye action has been consistent, with lots of eating-size fish being taken. Live forage spoons with minnow heads have been working best, especially in 18-28 feet of water. Panfish can be found in 7-15 foot depths when using the smallest jigs tipped with a maggot. While northern pike have been very active, most fish have been small. A larger jigging spoon and tip-up with a large shiner or sucker minnow has been best when worked at the same depths as for panfish. 1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Most anglers are having success with the panfish. Lakes producing the majority of fish include Little Detroit, Melissa, Sieverson, Toad and Rock. Some anglers are also doing well fishing the smaller lakes and ponds. Small jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms or minnows have been best. Walleye fishing has been inconsistent. For the most fish, hit Otter Tail Lake, however many of the walleye have been small. A few anglers have already cashed-in on the tullibee and whitefish bite - expect the bite to really heat up in the next 2 weeks. Temperatures are good for ice fishing, and the forecast calls for stable conditions over the next week or so. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Fishing has been pretty good on Otter Tail Lake, and anglers can get around with pickups, four-wheelers and snowmobiles. Lots of perch are being pulled from 8-10 feet of water, but anglers are having to sort out the smaller fish. Walleye action has slowed somewhat, but some fish continue to come from depths of 25-40 feet. Sunnies and crappies have been most active on the smaller area lakes, with anglers reporting good numbers of fish. 1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
On Lake Miltona, sunnies and crappies are becoming more active in the shallows. For the most fish, look for thick standing weeds in depths of 8-13 feet of water. Swedish pimples and forage minnows with waxworms have been best for the larger fish. Jumbo perch can be found on the edge of the weedlines, in depths of 8-20 feet. Please use caution since the ice can be very slippery. 1-877-833-2350;
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comPine River Area Lakes
While the ice has turned rough and icy in some areas due to last week's warm temperatures, most lakes still have at least two feet of ice on the main bodies of water. Channel areas and areas where rivers or streams flow in and out should be avoided at this time. Walleye fishing has slowed, but northern pike action remains steady. Panfish are biting on days with rising or lowering barometers. Sunfish are more active during the day, and crappies are biting just before dawn and just at dark. Panfish and perch fishing should continue to improve as spring approaches. Please be aware of changing ice conditions, especially at the access points. 1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Lots of anglers hit the Whitefish Chain of Lakes last weekend, enjoying great fishing action as well as the warm temperatures. Walleye action has been good for some anglers, with fish hitting northland spoons tipped with minnow heads in 26-34 feet of water on Upper Whitefish and Cross lakes. Pelican and Edward lakes are giving up fish in shallower waters and in the weeds. Northern pike action remains good, with anglers having success using large pike minnows and tip-ups along the points and breaks. Crappies and panfish are coming in on small jigs tipped with Euro Larvae or waxworms worked in depths of 8-18 feet. Anglers report that crappies can be found just 6 feet below the ice on some lakes.
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
On Lake Mille Lacs, the perch and tullibee bite has been good in waters more than 32 feet deep. Perch can also be found in depths of 18-24 feet. For the most fish, find an area where you can drill several holes and move from hole to hole until you locate fish. A small, glow rattle spoon or a frostee has worked well. Some of the better locations include the Tullibee Hole, Spirit Island, Greg's Flat and Hennepin Island. A few walleye continue to be taken on set lines with a glow gem-n-eye and a shiner. The last day of the walleye/northern season is February 27. Fish houses must be removed from Mille Lacs and all other inland waters south of Hwy 2 by midnight March 7, 2011 - consult the MN DNR rules and regulations book for more. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
As of late last week, lots of crappies and sunnies were being pulled from Soloman, Green, Andrew and Eagle lakes. Foot Lake was producing good numbers of crappies, sunfish and perch. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
A good crappie bite is being reported from the middle of Chisago Lake in 24-28 feet of water. The best bite has occurred from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m., as well as throughout the night. Sunfish have been biting on the south end of Chisago Lake, from the A-frame down to the Eagles Nest. Northern pike have been active on Sunrise Lake. Walleye can be found at the beach area on South Lindstrom Lake, with shiners and small sucker minnows working best. Anglers are reporting perfect ice conditions. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
Roads are plowed on Lake Waconia, with new roads from the marina past Waconia Bay, out to Center Reef, and ending at Pillsbury Reef. These roads have replaced the old roads that became rough during last week's warm temperatures. It is still possible to travel off-road in many areas, although four-wheel drive is a must. Ice conditions remain in excellent. It's much quieter on the lake, so this is a great time to head out and take advantage of the light traffic and the last weekend of the winter gamefish season! 952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
Fishing on Lake Pepin has been fair to good, but somewhat inconsistent. The backwaters are the best location for bluegill, crappie, and perch action - for the most fish, try jigging with waxworms. The walleye bite is beginning to improve once again. 1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of Tuesday, February 22, streams remain somewhat discolored due to last week's thaw and rise in water. Reports of some excellent black stonefly hatches have been reported from Forestville State Park where anglers were catching trout. Gribben Creek gave up good numbers to one angler using a BH Hare's ear nymph last Friday. Duschee Creek conditions are clear and normal. The South Branch Root River at Lanesboro is off and normal. Streams open to winter fishing in the Lanesboro vicinity include Diamond Creek, Etna Creek, Gribben Creek, North Branch Creek, South Fork Root River, Torkelson Creek and Wisel Creek in Fillmore County. Those in Houston County include West Beaver Creek, Bee Creek, Crooked Creek, Daley Creek, Swede Bottom Creek and South Fork Crooked Creek. Consult the 2010 Fishing Regulations booklet, or check with the DNR for the entire list of winter trout fishing streams. Clear and normal conditions are reported for Camp Creek, Canfield Creek, Duschee Creek, Forestville Creek, Gribben Creek, the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, Coolridge/Hemmingway Creek, and the East Beaver Creek within Beaver Creek Valley State Park. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
While fishing has been very good, travel has been difficult on many area lakes. Most anglers are getting around by foot, snowmobile, or ATV - vehicle travel is discouraged. On Fox Lake, anglers are pulling crappies, perch, and few walleye from 12-16 foot depths. Amber Lake is producing crappies and perch in 12 feet of water. Sisseton Lake anglers are taking crappies and bluegills from 12-15 foot depths. And on North Silver Lake, look for perch in depths of 3-6 feet. 1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
