Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update Jan. 10, 2014

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Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update    Jan. 10, 2014
   
Anglers are enjoying the mild temperatures that have taken hold across Minnesota, and fishing is expected to improve now that the arctic air has left. Refresh your knowledge of ice safety guidelines on the Minnesota DNR's website, and remember to check ice conditions often.

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 is recommended for snowmobiles and ATV's, and at least 8-12 inches 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. Consult with a local bait shop or lakeside resort for the most current ice conditions.

The fishing season for walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass remains open through Feb. 23, 2014. Smallmouth bass, however, are catch-and-release only through Feb. 23. The winter season for lake trout within the BWCA runs Jan. 4 through March 31, 2014; outside of the BWCA, Jan. 18-March 31, 2014.

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

Walleye anglers are still jigging with minnows in 18-25 feet of water, and this technique continues to produce fish. The best fishing and access has been around Birch Point in Sand Bay, and at Rainy Lake City near Black Bay. Black Bay is also a popular spot for spearing and angling for large northern pike. Many anglers are using portable gear to reach structure deeper into Voyageurs National Park, with lots of walleyes and an occasional crappie being taken. Please remember that while you are welcome to use portable gear in the park, it cannot be left overnight. Three major snowmobile trails have been groomed and marked within the park, making a nice circle tour of the main lakes. Food and fuel are available on three of the major lakes. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

As of late last week, the ice on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan was solidifying, providing better travel conditions for sleds and wheelers. The lake snowmobile trails were also packing down nicely with the frigid cold temperatures. Voyageurs National Park staff have been checking ice thickness and preparing for the popular ice road. Walleye anglers have been having some success out of Gappas Landing, towards Spunge Island, on towards Deer Island and further to the east. Tom Cod Bay has been producing lots of northern pike to spear and tip-up anglers, with a few walleyes mixed in. And the walleye bite has been increasing east of Tom Cod Bay. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely

While the frigid temperatures kept some folks off area lakes, hearty anglers that headed out brought in some very nice fish. Suckers and ciscoes seem to be the preferred baits for northern pike anglers, with some pike weighing up to fifteen pounds being landed. There have even been times when anglers have had to respond to several flags each hour. Walleye anglers have also been doing well. Chubby darters, rattling flyers and small ice jiglets are turning fish when tipped with a minnow head. The more laid back approach of suspending a minnow just off the bottom and under a bobber is also working well. Some slush remains under the ice crust on some lakes, so if you plan to travel off the beaten path please make sure that you carry a shovel and let someone know where you are going. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Grand Rapids

Ice conditions in the Grand Rapids Area are ideal for travel by snowmobiles, ATVs, and side-by-sides with chains or tracks; some lakes are also supporting light vehicles. Because of the large number of lakes in the area and the diversity of these waters, please check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current conditions on the lakes you intend to fish. As always, watch out for areas with slush. Bluegills and crappies have been biting at the weedlines in 8-12 feet of water just off the steep ridges. These fish are also starting to school up in the deeper holes so check lake maps for the locations of deep basins. When fishing for panfish, try using light "noodle" rods as these will help detect these soft biting fish. Also, downsize your presentations, using waxworms and small crappie minnows. Waxies have been best for bluegills. Walleyes and northern pike remain active, biting best during low light hours, especially during evening hours and on past dusk. Cloudy days have also been productive. Try to locate shoreline structure that is adjacent to deeper waters such as underwater points that drop off quickly. On deeper lakes such as Lake Pokegama, start at the points that slide into 20-30 feet of water. On the larger area lakes such as Lake Winnibigoshish, look for feeding walleyes at the 18-24 foot humps that drop into depths of 30 feet. For the most fish, try jigging spoons or rattle spoons tipped with a shiner head on one rod, and swim a full minnow under a bobber rod or "dead stick" in your second hole. Tip-ups with larger sucker minnows have been producing some large northern pike. Perch can still be found on the shallow water gravel flats and remnant weeds that hold forage. Move further off the shoreline structure into deeper waters when the shallow bite slows down. The deeper water humps and breaklines in depths of 18-28 feet generally house more condensed schools of perch. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Lake of the Woods fishing has been excellent in depths of 23-26 and 28-32 feet of water. For the most fish, try tipping your jigging spoon with a minnow head and work the bottom while watching electronics for suspended fish. In the second hole, use a jig or plain hook with a live minnow 4-6 inches off the bottom. Gold and pink have been the most productive colors. Ice measurements of up to 23 inches have been reported in some areas. The Rainy River is giving up lots of fish as well. Walleye anglers are having the most success working active minnows on a pink, gold or glow jig in 20 foot depths during evening hours. Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers are taking limits of walleyes and saugers from 22-25 feet of water, with lots of perch and northern pike mixed in. Crappies are active, but primarily on the Canadian side of the lake. For the most fish, use bright colors such as pink, gold and chartreuse. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

More seasonable temperatures have arrived, making hard water angling much more enjoyable! Ice conditions continue to improve on lakes throughout the area, with more of the slush turning to ice. Snowmobiles are still the best mode of travel on most lakes, but anglers are able to drive in more areas each week. Anglers have been driving on Upper Red Lake for weeks, with anglers from all over the state making the drive north to find lakes with a good bite and better ice conditions. Many lakes closer to Bemidji are just starting to establish roads on the ice as more resorts and individual anglers are able to access the lakes with their plows. Mid-winter fishing patterns have taken hold, with walleyes moving up and down the sides of structure when they feed in the mornings and evenings. Suspended fish, such as crappies and sunnies, are suspending several feet or more off the bottom, so anglers should watch their electronics to keep their bait at or above the eye level of these fish. Anglers on Upper Red Lake have been catching walleyes in depths of 8 feet when using jigging spoons and part of a minnow, or using a dead stick with a lively minnow. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Bena -Lake Winnibigoshish

On Lake Winnibigoshish, ice continues to slowly develop. Ice thickness varies, ranging from 10-16 inches depending on the area. A couple of small roads have been plowed, mostly out to the shore drops on the west and south sides of the lake. Fishing has been decent. Perch anglers are taking fish from 6-9 feet of water off the Mississippi River mouth and at the Third River. The main lake shore drops in depths of 13-22 feet have been best for walleyes and northern pike. Fishing should improve as temperatures warm a bit. The best travel is still by sled or ATV. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker -Leech Lake

Walker Bay on Leech Lake has had some great walleye action. Anglers have been pulling lots of walleyes from the deep underwater humps in 30-45 of water, with a variety of sizes reported. Many of these fish have been in the 2- to 3-year old category. Lots of nice eating-size walleyes measuring 14-17 inches are also being taken. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Hackensack

Area lakes are becoming more fishable due to fewer areas of slush and the increase in ice thickness. While anglers report lots of action on Leech Lake, Woman, Birch, and some of the smaller area lakes are producing fish as well with anglers regularly picking up 1 or 2 walleyes a night. Numbers are expected to increase as temperatures warm. Crappies and sunnies are showing up in the deeper waters. Most of these fish have been found just off the bottom rather than suspended, but this may change in the next few days. Small crappie minnows and waxworms on glow jigs have been best, especially due to the darker conditions created by the layer of snow covering the ice. 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com

Park Rapids

Most of the slush and water on top of the ice is now frozen. Fish Hook Lake has good ice; the west side of the lake has ice up to 18 inches thick, and the east side has ice measuring up to 14 inches in front of the Assembly Grounds. Potato Lake has an average of 14 inches of good ice. Fish houses are showing up in greater numbers on Upper Bottle, Lower Bottle, Big Sand and Mantrap lakes, although none of these have had any truck traffic yet. Large northern pike and smaller walleyes are coming from the main lake bar on the west side of Lower Bottle Lake in 8-12 feet of water. A road has been plowed on Emma Lake and trucks are driving out. This lake is usually good for one to two nice sized walleyes each night. The bar on the east side of the lake, and the area near the current on the southeast corner are both producing fish. Peak walleye catching times are 3-6 p.m. and 7-9 a.m. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

The panfish bite has been strong, even during the frigid cold temperatures earlier this week. The walleye bite slowed significantly, but it is expected to improve as the temperatures rise. Little Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Cormorant, Pelican and Lida lakes have received most of the angling attention so far this winter. Look for the most walleyes off the first shoreline breaks and at the tips of the extended underwater points in 15-25 feet of water. Some crappies are relating to weeds and some schools of crappies are feeding on bugs over the deeper mud in the 22-35 feet of water. Sunfish and northern pike are active in the weeds. For northerns, use larger suckers on tip-ups on the shallow weed flats. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region

Glenwood

As of late last week, walleye action was very good on Lake Minnewaska. Most of the walleyes were pulled from 15-18 feet of water. Sunfish and crappies were active on the Glenwood side of the lake. Walleyes and perch were coming from the northwest side of Lake Reno. Panfish anglers reported lots of action on Maple Lake. 320-634-3636

Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region

Ice conditions have greatly improved due to cold temperatures penetrating the snow pack and firming up the ice. In some areas, the heavy snow pack sunk, allowing good ice to form. Please note that some areas remain unstable. Ice thickness ranges from 6-24 inches on area lakes. Anglers fishing good ice are finding lots of walleye in 24-36 feet of water. Suckers are turning the most fish, especially during morning and evening hours, with fish schooling later in the day. Crappies and sunnies turned more active this week. For the most sunfish, hit depths of 8-12 feet. www.whitefish.org

Brainerd Lakes Area

Walleyes have been more difficult to predict. On most days, there has been a flurry of activity around sunset, but then the fish turn sluggish. Don’t be afraid to move deeper this time of year, using set lines and jigging spoons. Crappies and sunnies have been hanging in 16-40 feet of water. The best way to locate schools of fish is to find the last remaining green vegetation; the deeper holes surrounded by weeds have been the most productive. A vexilar has been the key to success since panfish suspend themselves at a variety of depths throughout the day. 800-450-2838; www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Most of Lake Mille Lacs has more than a foot of ice, with ice in some areas measuring up to 18 inches. Anglers need to remember, however, that there are some areas that have as little as 9 inches of ice. Becasue of this variation, all vehicle traffic should be restricted to the plowed ice roads until ice thickness becomes more uniform. Most of the resorts have plowed their roads, with houses out two- to three-miles. The walleye bite has been best in the evening and on past dusk. Hang a shiner or small sucker on a glow jig in 18-25 feet of water for the most fish. During daytime hours, the walleye bite is a bit slower so concentrate on the northern pike and perch. Expect to do some sorting through the perch, as most of them are fingerlings. This should be a very busy weekend on Lake Mille Lacs! 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Waconia/Lake Waconia

Fishing has been very good on Lake Waconia, despite sub-zero temperatures. Most of the activity has been at Waconia Bay, Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef. Northern pike anglers are taking lots of fish, with many weighing between 4- and 12-pounds. Small to medium sucker minnows have worked best with fishing in 10-14 feet of water. With the warmer temperatures this weekend, be sure to take advantage of the best pike bite in years. Walleyes continue to bite, although the majority of fish have been under the legal size limit of 16 inches. Sunnies and crappies remain plentiful, with anglers having the most success in 10-14 feet of water. While anglers still need to do some sorting, a great numbers of larger walleyes are being taken since the New Year. Sunnies are hitting waxworms and larva, while the crappies seem to prefer crappie minnows. The best time of day for crappie fishing remains after 3 p.m., however, anglers have also been pleased with daytime bite. Most of the ice on Lake Waconia ranges from 18- to 24-inches thick, but some areas have as little as 10 inches of ice. 952-442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org
Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams

As of Jan. 8, most streams were frozen over with very little if any access to open water to fish. This weekend should quickly change these conditions. Please note that Trout Run is currently closed. Fish were caught on the Winter Stream Trout Catch-and-Release Opener! As of Jan. 3, stream conditions were clear and low for most area streams, creeks and rivers. The Whitewater Stream was mostly clear, with normal water levels. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com