Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Feb. 13, 2015

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Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Feb. 13, 2015
 
    
Jordan’s big pike pulled from Fish Lake – image courtesy of Houston's Guide Service.
Jack Webb's 25" catch & release walleye pulled from a Grand Rapids area lake; photo courtesy of Visit Grand Rapids

Anglers continue to report great crappie, perch and sunfish action, with some nice-sized walleye and northern pike also being taken. Only two weekends remain in the 2014/2015 game fish season for Minnesota’s inland waters, with the season closing on February 22, 2015. For fishing season dates throughout the state, check the DNR fishing seasons web page.

Refresh your knowledge of ice safety by consulting the Minnesota DNR's Ice Safety Guidelines web page. Before heading out, please contact a local bait shop or lakeside resort for the most current ice conditions.

 

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [Southern]

Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Rainy Lake walleye anglers are having the most success early in the day, especially when using a jig and minnow combination in roughly 30 feet of water. Don’t be surprised if you pull in some keeper-size perch as well. The usual hot spots have been busy, however, anglers are finding great action around Dryweed and Cranberry islands. This area is easily accessible from the National Park Service ice road. Large northern pike are coming from the mouth of Black Bay on large minnows worked in roughly 10 feet of water. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Ely

While anglers have had a bit more trouble getting the walleye and lake trout to bite, the stream trout are cooperating nicely! One angler recently caught an eight pound rainbow trout using a jigging rapala. Crappie fishing is shaping up nicely, with near limits being taken; expect the action to continually to build until ice-out. Ice conditions are exceptional this year with most lakes covered in 20-24 inches of ice, with about 8 inches of snow on top, making travel relatively easy for most four-wheel drive vehicles. The northern pike and walleye season closes on February 22nd, so just two more weekends left to fish through the ice for these species during the 2014/2015 season. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage

Splake and lake trout remain active, with most coming from 30-40 feet of water on jigs and jigging spoons tipped with minnows. For nice numbers of 18-24 inch fish, check Gunflint Lake, and Sawbill Lake located north of Tofte. Walleye action has slowed somewhat, with fish schooling a bit deeper. Northern pike, however, remain ferocious. In the mid Gunflint Trial area, ice anglers report good catches in 20-30 feet of water, with fish found suspended using tip ups and sucker minnows. Most fish range from 18-26 inches long. Ice conditions have been great, and the recent snowfall has been perfect for cross country skiing. Don’t miss the Trout Derby on Sunday, March 8, with great trout fishing and snowmobiling on area lakes. The event starts at the Gunflint Lake boat access landing. www.visitCookCounty.com

Duluth - Lake Superior and inland waters

Anglers are taking nice numbers of crappies and bluegills from many areas lakes. The best approach has been a wax worm or spike on a small frosty or other small gill bait. Plastics have also been producing a few fish. Crappie minnows are working well for the crappies, but expect to take some northern pike as well! Travel has been easy on most Duluth area lakes. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Walleye and northern pike action has slowed a bit (typical for this time in the season), but many of the smaller lakes just north of Grand Rapids will continue to produce nice numbers of crappies, sunnies, and even rainbow and brown trout through the end of the season. There are an amazing number of great angling lakes within 25 miles of Grand Rapids where you may never see another person all day. Since little or no travel has taken place on many of these lakes this winter, foot travel or travel by ATV is recommended. Remember, there can be differences in ice thickness from lake to lake -- always use caution when traveling on the ice. 800-335-9740;  www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Overall, it was a good week of fishing on Lake of the Woods. From the south end of the lake, some of the best reports are coming from 22-25 miles north between Knight and Bridges islands and Garden Island. Resorts have houses placed here and an ice road as well. Some good morning fishing action is being reported from 18 feet of water in front of Pine Island. The reefs around Long Point are producing nice meals of fish, but not buckets. On the Rainy River, frozen shiners worked in 15-20 feet of water during low light hours have been best for consistent action, with most reports coming from local anglers familiar with the river. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing remains good. The best locations have been inconsistent, with fish coming from the reefs one day, and from the edges the next. Jig one line, and dead stick the second line in 20-30 feet of water. Anglers report a mixed bag of fish, with more walleye than saugers. Some jumbo perch, northern pike and eelpout are in the mix. Remember, the walleye season remains open through April 14, and pike fishing is allowed year round. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji Area Lakes

               
A mid-week snowstorm dropped several inches of new snow on Bemidji area lakes, but other than a few drifts, anglers still have good access to the lakes. Ice conditions have been about the same for a couple of weeks, with at least 24 inches of good clear ice in most areas. Anglers are still able to get through the ice on most lakes without an auger extension, but the head of the auger will be down on the ice before it goes through on many lakes. An extension makes drilling holes through thick ice easier because there is less bending involved. Anglers drilling holes in wheeled or stationary houses need the extra length of an extension because of the floors in the houses. There are only two weekends remaining in the gamefish season for inland waters of Minnesota, with the season closing on February 22, 2015. Anglers are allowed to fish for panfish and species like tulibees, whitefish and eelpout continuously in Minnesota. Walleye anglers have been finding the best bites in the mornings and evenings in 16-24 feet of water in most lakes. Walleye usually make feeding movements towards structure during low light periods and often bite better on days with overcast conditions. Crappies have been moving out of the deep basin areas to area tight to the structure. Anglers may have to change locations and search the perimeters of the basin to relocate the fish. Bluegills and sunfish can be found in the shallows, using the old weed beds for cover. Anglers usually have to use the process of elimination to find what part of the weed beds the bluegills are using. Perch anglers have been finding perch scattered in multiple locations. An anglers best bet is to start on the top edge of a large flat and work their way down the breakline until they locate the active fish. Eelpout will be spawning in a few weeks and will get progressively more active as the spawn approaches. Eelpout are delicious, big and aggressive, so anglers that don’t like eelpout are missing out on a great fish. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Walker - Leech Lake

This has been one of the best weeks of the season on area lakes, with lots of large fish and limits being reported. On Leech Lake, the shore breaks are giving up good numbers of fish, as well as the highly desirable 17-inch eating-size fish in Walker Bay. Anglers are still traveling 4-plus miles out of Trappers Landing on the south end of the big lake were they are finding nice jumbo perch on top of the reefs, and walleye off the edges of the reefs. Green remains the color of choice, with red hooks working best on the set lines. The ice is roughly 34 inches thick and continues to grow. Still, please remember that it is not safe to cross ice heaves! Bring your ice cleats as it is very slippery due to little snow on area lakes. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Park Rapids

As of late last week, anglers were finding fish in waters as shallow as 6 feet next to the pencil reeds early in the morning. Glow in the dark rattle spoons tipped with a rainbow minnow were working best. Crappies were found on the steep drop-offs in 20-40 feet of water after dark, with tungsten jigs tipped with a wax worm producing the most fish. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

The “Poles ‘N Holes” fishing derby on Little Detroit Lake on Saturday, Feb. 7, had a tremendous turnout with many panfish and northern pike taken during the tournament. The winning fish was a 3-pound northern pike. Cooler temperatures have arrived, and the bite may slow a bit during this cold front; expect it to improve as the weather stabilizes. Crappies and sunnies continue to offer the best action on area lakes. Crappies can still be found suspended off the sharp breaks close to deeper basin areas. The sunfish are on the weed edges and in the weed pockets. Jigs with waxworms and minnows are working best. Northern pike are being pulled from the shallow weeds; tip-ups with sucker minnows or shiners are producing the most fish. Ice conditions remain excellent, and travel on area lakes continues to be very easy due to little snow cover on the ice. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region
Brainerd Lakes Area

Walleye continue to be caught during low light hours and at night. Set lines and glow jigs seem to be best -- keep the jig charged up for more action! Crappies and sunnies remain best for action during the day, and the forecast looks great for hole-hopping. Use plastics since you won’t have to spend most of your time re-baiting your hook. 800-450-2838; www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Walleye action has been great on Lake Mille Lacs, especially at first and last light. Expect a mix of sizes, with most walleye running 10-12 inches long. During mid-day hours, fish for perch in 23-30 feet of water on the mud flats. For the most fish, use a small rattle spoon tipped with a fathead or Eurolarva. Northern pike action has slowed somewhat for the spearers, but the tip-up anglers are still turning some nice fish. 888 -350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

The perch are biting on most area lakes, with some small sunfish and crappies also being taken. The northern pike have become very active, and some nice size fish are being pulled through the ice. Some anglers working the north end of Eagle Lake are also reporting a few large walleye. Some of the other popular lakes last weekend were Diamond, Willmar, Foot, Norway, Green, Long and Florida lakes. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams

Most area streams and rivers monitored by fisheries staff are reported to have clear water conditions and normal water flows. Midges, blue-winged olives, and possibly some little black stoneflies should work well on area waters. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. Learn more about the expanded winter trout season which began January 1, 2015. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com