Explore Minnesota Fishing Report February 23, 2012 Heavy snow recently fell throughout northern Minnesota. Anglers may find some drifting on the lakes, and should be aware that snow may be covering potential hazard areas. Please note that unseasonably warm temperatures have caused ice conditions to change throughout the state--it is extremely important to use caution when heading out! Anyone considering a trip out onto the ice must first check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions. Anglers venturing out are asked to carry ice claws and a long rope, wear a floatation device, and check ice depth often. Please stay informed, and brush up on Minnesota DNR Ice Safety Tips before heading out on your next ice fishing adventure.
Please remember that the walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass season closes at midnight, February 26, 2012. Fish houses must be off the ice at night unless attended by March 5th for areas south of Hwy 200 and Hwy 2--fish houses that are not attended must be removed from the ice by February 19 from areas north of Hwy 200 and Hwy 2 by February 19. The winter season for lake trout runs through March 31. The winter season for stream trout in southern Minnesota is catch-and-release only, and also runs through March 31. Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2012/2013 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. The fishing season for stream trout in streams is catch-and-release only April 1-13; the regular season beginning April 14. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--please check out the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations pages to learn more.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236 or accessing DNR License Sales.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy RiverRainy Lake ice anglers are taking walleye at dawn and at dusk from roughly 25 feet of water around Birch Point in Sand Bay. Other hot spots include the American Narrows and Cranberry Bay. Northern pike are hitting large minnows near Rainy Lake City and at the mouth of Cranberry Bay. Anglers using portable gear have been able to work areas off the Park Service Ice Road from the Visitor Center north to Dryweed Island, traveling east to Cranberry Bay. And snowmobilers will find quality, fresh snow, with more in the forecast. The trails are already in great shape and it looks like there will be plenty of good riding left this season. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogamaLake Kabetogama ice is still free of slush in areas where vehicles and sleds are currently traveling. Walleye anglers have been doing well during late afternoon hours. Perch action has been inconsistent, but the northern pike are hitting nearly all day long! Small ice jigs tipped with a full minnow or the head of minnow remains best, with gold and glow jigs the preferred choice in color. Pike anglers should begin at 12 feet of water and edge deeper in the soft bottom bays. Walleye and perch prefer 30 foot depths, however the bite has been light so it is best to use light jigs and smaller minnows. Crappie action remains slow--action should pick up as spring approaches. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comElyAnglers are enjoying a better than average trout bite on area lakes, and this has been appreciated all the more due to the slowdown in walleye action. The lake trout bite on a few of the larger lakes has remained consistent, but many anglers are now finding that the smaller lakes are turning into hot spots. Lake trout anglers are having success using rainbow chubs and small suckers, as well as some artificial favorites such as airplane jigs and spoons. The rainbow trout are eagerly hitting small jigs tipped with waxworms or small salted minnows. Crappie anglers are taking more fish recently, with fish beginning their pre-spawn patterns. For the most fish, use small minnows or soft baits such as the gulp and power bait. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand PortageThe walleye season ends February 26, and anglers should hit area lakes as soon as possible! On Daniel and Duncan lakes, located up the Gunflint Trail, quite a few decent size walleye are being reported. On Poplar Lake, located near the Trail Center, a large 28-inch walleye was pulled from roughly 21 feet of water. Another angler took a 35.25-inch northern pike from Poplar Lake and registered this fish shortly after the 28-inch walleye was registered. Lake Trout remain active, coming in on a variety of baits. On Greenwood Lake, these fish can be found in 40-55 foot depths when using jigs and spoons with ciscoes or rainbow chubs. On Bearskin Lake, trout are coming from depths of 60-80 feet of water, with some also schooling just beneath the ice--the best approach here is a spoon or jig with a chub or ciscoe. And splake have been active on Thrasher and Musquash lakes, where anglers are taking good numbers on waxies worked in 12-18 feet of water. Those trekking into the BWCAW on skis or snowshoes are pulling lots of brook trout on just about anything thrown their way!
www.visitcookcounty.com
Grand Rapidswww.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy RiverLake of the Woods anglers are giving mixed reports on the best depths at this time. The majority of anglers are having some success in 30-32 feet of water, and one resort owner has placed his houses over 34 feet of water where guests are enjoying some decent action. More sauger than walleye are coming in, however the sauger are of quality size. Gold, red, pink, and glow colors have been best, with silver also working at times. At the Northwest Angle, many limits of crappies are being taken, and one angler pulled in a 48-inch muskie on a crappie jig! A group of anglers pulled in at least 15 white fish, and walleye fishing near Garden Island has really taken off. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidjiHeavy snow fell this week, with several inches of snow falling throughout the area. Anglers may find some drifting on the lakes, with potential hazards covered up by the new snow. The ice conditions are still good on most area lakes, with more than 20 inches of ice on average. Walleye action has been spotty, with the best bites during morning and evening hours. The new blanket of snow may slow things down temporarily, but the bite should progressively improve as the snow melts. The perch have moved deeper in most lakes to areas where they can feed on insect larvae emerging from the mud bottom. Crappies and sunnies are also feeding on insects in most of the lakes, with fish coming from 20-30 feet of water on mud flats near structure. Eelpout, whitefish and tulibees are also being targeted by some anglers, providing plenty of options for anglers following the close of the gamefish season on Sunday at midnight. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.com
Bena -Lake WinnibigoshishOn Lake Winnibigoshish, the perch bite has picked up and is very good once again. Areas with hungry perch are along the west side at Snag Hole, River Bar, the back side of Center Bar, and west and north to Raven Rocks in depths of 13 feet down to 25 feet. Stay on the move until you locate fish. For the most fish, use small buckshot rattle spoons with a minnow head, or try a whole minnow on a smaller glow jig, especially on cloudy days. On the east side of the lake, check Moxey Hole up through the Saddle. The walleye bite remains spotty, but a few fish are being taken during twilight hours from 13-18 feet of water near the tops of the bar drops and shore drops. And for northern pike, use a large sucker, roughly 3 to 5 feet off the bottom.
www.lakewinnie.net
Walker - Leech LakeIce on most area lakes, including Walker Bay on Leech Lake, measures 22-26 inches on average. This is the last week to catch walleye, bass, and northern pike this season--conditions should remain mild, so this is an excellent time to venture out! 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral RegionFew reports are available due to current warm temperatures causing changes in ice conditions in many areas.
Otter Tail Lakes AreaPerch and walleye action has been fairly good in depths of 13-30 feet of water on Otter Tail Lake. Crappies and sunnies are becoming more active in 15-25 feet of water on many area lakes. 1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comPine River1-800-728-6926;
http://www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Areawww.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille LacsOn Lake Mille Lacs, walleye were coming from 23-25 feet of water at the mud flats during morning hours and at dusk just late last week. The walleye seem to be moving from the top edge of these flats to the deeper, bottom edge of the flats as the day progresses. This bottom edge is also where perch are beginning to show up, along with the tullibee. Anglers are having the most success using small jigging spoons, such as pimples, frostees, and fire eyes, in darker colors. Greg's Flat, 7-Mile and The Boot are all producing fish. The gravel bars are also giving up fish at similar depths and times as at the mud flats. Anglers pursuing perch and tullibee are doing well using waxworms, maggots and shrimp. Some northern pike action continues to be reported from Isle, Cove and Wahkon bays. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar1-800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinityFew reports are available due to current warm temperatures causing changes in ice conditions in many areas.
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.com
White Bear Area LakesWhite Bear and Bald Eagle lakes are producing good numbers of fish. Crappie anglers are doing well on both lakes when using crappie minnows, euro larvae and waxworms. The northern pike remain active on White Bear Lake, with sucker minnows turning the most fish when worked in depths of 10-15 feet. On Bald Eagle Lake, walleye are hitting fathead minnows on buckshot spoons. And perch anglers are doing well on both lakes when using waxworms. 651/653-5122;
www.explorewhitebear.orgWaconia952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern MinnesotaFew reports are available due to current warm temperatures causing changes in ice conditions in many areas.
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and RiversLate last week, one area guide had lots of success just below the power dam on the Zumbro River. After roughly 40 casts, the catch included 3 smallmouth bass and one muskie. The bass measured 15-, 16-, and 17-inches, and the muskie was approximately 28 inches--an official measurement was not possible since the fish was determined to bite whatever got too close! The smallmouth bass were eager to bite a new #7 rapala clackin' minnow! For a list and maps showing designated winter trout fishing streams, visit the Minnesota DNR Winter Trout Streams page. 1-800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.orgFaribault Area Lakes1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonela
