Explore Minnesota Fishing Report May 2, 2013 Ice remains thick on most lakes in northern Minnesota, and some anglers continue to head out. Anglers must keep in mind that spring thawing can bring rapid but unseen deterioration of the ice. Please remember that ice conditions can change quickly; please consult with a local bait shop or lakeside resort for the most current conditions before venturing out.
Please remember that temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the stability of ice which could be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. It is important to check ice depth at least every 150 feet. According to the Minnesota DNR, 4 inches of new, clear ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. A minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice is recommended for snowmobiles and ATV's, and at least 8-12 inches of new, clear ice is advised for cars and small trucks. Items recommended for checking ice thickness include an ice chisel, ice auger, cordless drill and a tape measure. Anglers heading out onto the ice should also carry ice claws and a long rope, and wear a floatation device and ice cleats. Check out the Minnesota DNR's Ice Safety web page before heading out.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2013/2014 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 11; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 25; muskie, June 1. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations websites for the most current information. And don't miss the 2013 Governor's Fishing Opener held May 10 & 11 in the city of Park Rapids--a community picnic and festival will be offered Friday afternoon and evening, May 10.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
It was a glorious spring weekend last weekend, and much of the snow melted following highs in the 70?s! A great crappie bite is expected over the next few days. While it remains uncertain whether there will be open water for the May 11th Fishing Opener, things do look a bit more promising than they did last week. Get your boats, tackle, and fishing rods & reels ready! 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
As of late last week, many of the inland lakes remained covered in ice, but the rivers of Lake Superior's north shore were flowing freely and anglers were fishing for Kamloops. Kamloops are part of the trout family, closely related to rainbow and steel head. These fish weigh 5- to 7-pounds and the original population came from hatcheries around Lake Superior. In the early 1970's, three domestic strains of rainbow trout, Kamloops, Donaldson and Madison, were stocked in the lake in an attempt to augment wild steelhead populations. The Kamloops adapted successfully to the cold water, and the French River Hatchery adds to this population annually. Kamploops are active throughout the year, hitting small floating jigs tipped with waxies, worms, or spawns; fly anglers use dead driving spring's wigglers. Kamloops do not migrate as far inland in the rivers as Steelhead do. They typically spawn within viewing distance of Lake Superior, near the first difficult river barrier. 1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
www.VisitCookCounty.comFinland -inland streams
As of April 29, flows in Lake Superior tributaries had increased substantially, however, a great deal of ice remained and there were only limited areas where anglers could fish. The stream water conditions were cold, dirty, and especially dangerous with ice chunks and debris moving down river. Nearly all of the anglers continued to fish Lake Superior from shore. An updated report will be posted on the DNR's North Shore Stream Fishing Report page when the ice goes out on North Shore streams. Anyone interested in smelt should check out the "Smelt on the North Shore" fact sheet.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/finlandGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Sturgeon fishing has been amazing, with good numbers of fish being taken. Many of these fish have measured over 60-inches, weighing over 80-pounds! Now through May 7th, anglers may keep one sturgeon if they've purchased a $5 sturgeon tag before fishing. The limit is one fish per calendar year, and the slot is one fish measuring either 45-50 inches or over 70-inches. The sturgeon are biting most often in the deep holes and pockets, with a few night crawlers on a circle hook fished on the bottom working best. The Wheeler's Point ramp is now open. The Rainy River is open into Four Mile Bay to the Lighthouse Gap. Anglers expect fishing to be great on the Rainy River over the May 11th walleye opener. The northern pike season is heating up, especially in Four Mile Bay. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The Minnesota DNR is watching the conditions closely to determine if lakes need be closed to angling on the opener to protect concentrations of spawning or pre-spawn fish. Anglers will want to stay informed on any last minute postings. As of last week, there was at least 30 inches of ice on most lakes, with ice anglers enjoying some very good perch, sunfish and crappie action. Many of these fish had moved into 5-8 feet of water, with anglers seeing and catching fish right under the ice. Anglers may want to try using a longer rod and lightly dunk their baits down the holes from a distance to avoid spooking the fish. 800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comHackensack
Area lakes remain ice covered, and only the smallest ponds have open water. The edges of the ice are starting to pull away from shore on some lakes. A few ice anglers continue to head out, and fishing has been good for crappies, sunnies and perch! Walking out is the only way to access the ice, and there have been several reports of four-wheelers going through the ice recently. 800-279-6932
Park Rapids
800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Although most of the snow has melted, area lakes are still covered in up to 2 feet of ice. A few panfish anglers continue to venture out onto the shallow flats, catching nice sunfish and perch. Predictions are that some of the smaller, more shallow lakes will be open by May 11th. All rivers are currently open. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comGlenwood
Lake Minnewaska's Starbuck Marina is now free of ice! Local anglers expect that the crappies and sunnies will start biting as soon as water temperatures start to rise.
www.glenwoodlakesarea.orgPine River
800-728-6926;
http://www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Even though ice continues to melt on area lakes, most anglers will not know where they will hit the water until a couple of days before the opener. The late ice bite has been great due to warming waters, and there should be fishable ice for another week or so. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a wax worm or impulse tadpole worked in 5-8 feet of water. Drilling a bunch of holes right away is important when fishing shallow since it gives the fish a chance to settle down after all the commotion. Please note that some of the plowed roads are located in areas with current, and these areas will break up quickly. If you are planning to head out, please bring your ice picks and fish with a buddy. Remember your sun block too! 800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs remains covered in ice; no one will be putting their docks or lifts out this weekend. Only Mother Nature knows when anglers will be back in their boats. 888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Winona- Mississippi River
800-657-4972;
www.visitwinona.com Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
Dark Hendrickson's were observed the morning of Tuesday, April 30. The streams were in great condition, but storms and a cold front were expected to move through the area later that evening. On April 29, dark Hendricksons were coming off the South Fork Root, and dark Hendrickson spinners were observed over one riffle. Several caddis adults were seen around noon that day, and the fish were rising. Also that day, clear and normal conditions are reported for Canfield Creek, Forestville Creek, Duschee Creek, Gribben Creek, South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park, Trout Run, Rush Creek at Wunderlich's, East Beaver, and the North and Middle branches of the Whitewater. Rush Creek in Rushford, and the main branch and south branch of the Whitewater River system were considered cloudy or slightly cloudy, with a normal flow. The South Branch Root River at Lanesboro was off and slightly high, and Camp Creek was considered clear and slightly high. As updates on stream conditions become available, they will be posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. Please Note: The Lanesboro Fisheries Office has received numerous complaints from landowners stating that anglers are accessing the stream easement corridor from outside of the easement across their property. Most stream easement corridors are 66ft from the center of the stream to the left and 66ft to the right. Anglers must not trespass to get to an easement corridor. Landowner permission is required to access the stream easement corridor from outside of the easement. Most easements are connected to a bridge or official walk-in area that has been purchased by the state, and these are the accesses to easement corridors. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comRochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
800-634-8277;
www.rochestercvb.org Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
As of last week, all area lakes were free or ice. Panfish action had been a bit slow but it was expected to pick up as water temperatures rose. Anglers were reporting success with the panfish when using jig and minnow combinations in 12-15 feet of water. Once water temperatures have risen, anglers should work the channels between Amber and Hall lakes, and Sisseton and George lakes using flu flu jigs or tube jigs tipped with either wax worms or a minnow. 800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake was covered with ice earlier this week, and fishing activity was minimal. The lake will be setting a new ice-out record this year. A few anglers have dawned waders and walked out from the slushy shorelines to get to hard ice and try their luck. Unfortunately, there have not been enough reports to say whether these anglers have been happy with their extra effort or not. Most anglers are patiently waiting for open water. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
