Reports are very limited this week due to heavy snow cover and the close of the gamefish season on most Minnesota waters.
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Kabetogama, where good numbers of walleyes and northern pike are being taken from Lake Namakan, which is a Canadian border water.
Please note that melting and refreezing makes ice less stable, especially in areas with springs or current. Anglers are asked to please call ahead for the most current conditions before venturing out. Please remember that ice is never considered totally safe. The Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of 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.
Before heading out, consider learning how to make and use ice picks and claws by checking out the 1-minute video on the DNR website at
www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/iceAnglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/index.html And, please consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for slot limits on specific lakes.
The opening dates for the 2007/2008 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; and for muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Lake Superior was still frozen from the Lester River down to 21st Avenue early in the week, and anglers were out catching cohos, lake trout, herring and whitefish. The rest of the shoreline is breaking up, with a few small areas of open water just large enough for one angler to cast. The perch continue to bite on Pike Lake in 17-18 feet of water. For crappies, hit Boulder and Grand lakes, as well as the St. Louis River.
Kabetogama
The walleye season on Lake Namakan, a border water, remains open through April 15th. The northern pike season is continuous. Anglers report lots of ice with a 10-15 inch snow cover, and no slush. The northern pike bite remains strong. Walleye and crappie action has been sporadic. The forecasted warm temperatures should improve the crappie bite in the coming weeks.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the walleye season runs through April 15th, and permanent fish houses are allowed on the lake through the end of March. Walleyes are hitting buck shot spoons, and red, rainbow or green jigs tipped with a chub worked in 26-32 feet of water north of Pine Island and the Lighthouse Gap. During morning and evening hours, hit depths of 12-15 feet for the most fish. During the day, a nice mix of walleye and sauger are being pulled from the deeper waters. Fish houses at the Northwest Angle and Islands area have been moved over 20-23 feet of water, with nice walleyes, sauger and jumbo perch being taken. The rock structures and reefs just south of Oak Island have been a hot spot.
Blackduck
Perch are biting on Blackduck Lake. Panfish are active on most area lakes.
Bemidji
Anglers report good perch action on Lake Plantagenet. Crappies are being pulled from Upper Red Lake, as well as some of the smaller area lakes.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, perch fishing has been limited due to thick snow cover. Anglers are having to fish areas that are either accessible via plowed roads or snowmobile. The Highbanks, Denny's and Nodak's have created good access to the lake, with anglers concentrating on the main bars near the roads. One hot spot has been Moxies Hole on the southeast side of the lake. For the most fish, stay mobile while checking depths of 22-28 feet for active fish. As spring approaches, hit the shallows that typically hold perch just after ice out. Crappie action has been improving until the recent large snowfall. Anglers are now having the most success on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux. Also check out Portage, Six Mile, Bowstring and Round for some good crappie action.
Park Rapids
The thick snow has kept many anglers off area lakes. There are some good bluegills reports coming from Fishhook Lake, where a plowed trail is providing access. Crappies remain active on the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes in roughly 30 feet of water, with fish found suspended off the bottom.
Battle Lake
Anglers are having success with the crappies and sunnies on West Battle, however not many anglers are venturing out due to deep snow and limited access.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, a few anglers are working the Glenwood end of the lake for crappies, with plowed roads providing access. Most of the other area lakes are inaccessible.
Crosslake
Panfish are biting on Crosslake, however snowmobiles are necessary to access the lake. Some anglers are having success on Loon and Clamshell lakes. A few anglers continue to fish for lake trout.
Crosby
The recent snowfall has caused fish to move back into shallower waters on most area lakes. Crappie action has been good on Mahnomen, Blackhoof, Bay, and Serpent lakes during evening hours. Cedar, Perry, Adney and Bass lakes are giving up some fish during the day. Most of these lakes have also been good for sunfish. For the most fish, look for green weeds, especially the cabbage weeds. A rock-n-roll jig and waxworm worked in the shallows has been best for crappies and sunnies. Some fish are coming from depths as shallow as 5-6 feet.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, roads have been plowed at Wigwam Bay, with some perch being taken out from Northstar Resort. Anne Lake is giving up some panfish.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Big Birch and Hunters Bay have plowed roads. Most other accesses have been plowed shut. Snowmobiles are a necessity. Big and Little Birch lakes are giving up a few sunnies.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, sunnies and crappies are biting in front of the bait shop, with some plowed paths providing access.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, anglers are parking and walking out to Grays Bay, Black Lake and Crystal where panfish are being taken. Lake Sarah has also been a good panfish lake, and is accessible by foot. The panfish bite has also been good on Lake Minnewashta.
Oakdale
A few anglers are pulling sunnies and crappies from Lake Peltier, however the size tends to run small. A few crappies are coming out of the St. Croix River, with the bite continuously improving.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are fishing from boat near the dam.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
http://www.exploreminnesota.com/E-mail_Newsletter.htmlhttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/solunar.htm
