Minnesota Fishing and Ice Conditions Report for December 14

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Minnesota Fishing and Ice Conditions Report for December 14

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. 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. Anyone choosing to venture out must use extreme caution and check ice thickness often. Please note that heavy snow has hindered ice production on most lakes and rivers.

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/ice/index.html

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html

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Grand Rapids
Ice depths vary from 4-9 inches on most area lakes, but the slush, which has caused problems with travel, is starting to freeze. Big Cutfoot Sioux, Little Splithand and Big Splithand lakes are producing crappies in 20 feet of water. Anglers are reporting decent walleye action in 19-30 feet of water during evening hours on lakes Wabana, Pokegama, and Big Cutfoot Sioux. Spearing has been good along the shorelines of most area lakes.

International Falls
On Rainy Lake, some open water remains on the main lake. Where ice has formed, slush lies under the snow. Walleye reports remain limited, but spearing is producing northern pike in Jackfish and Black bays. Please note that ice depths have been very inconsistent in the bays so caution is advised.

Lake Kabetogama
Ice conditions remain unpredictable with 2-8 inches of ice found in the channels and bays. Northern pike action has been good on Lake Kabetogama, with anglers and spearers both taking fish. The bays are currently the safest options, and the main-lake reefs remain off limits due to thin ice.

Tower
On Lake Vermilion, the small bays have 4 inches of ice, however there is also 2 inches of surface water and a foot of snow, making travel difficult. Those choosing to venture out and brave the conditions are catching a few walleyes on glow jigs and sucker minnows.

Ely
Good-sized perch and walleyes are being caught on several area lakes. Waxworms on a small jigging spoon have been good for the jumbos, and jigging a rapala or chubby darter has been best for walleyes. While the ice remains unstable in many areas, there are spots with up to 6 inches of ice that are being fished--please use extreme caution, and check ice depth often.

Grand Marais
Ice depth is extremely variable due to an average of 4 inches of ice covered in up to 20 inches of snow. A few anglers are heading out in search of walleyes, with limited success. Lake travel has been difficult, even by foot.

Mcgregor
Few anglers are venturing out due to slush and varied ice depths throughout the area. Extreme caution is advised even when walking out onto area lakes. The only bite currently being reported is on Lake Minnewawa, where anglers are taking a few crappies during the evening hours.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA

Baudette
On Lake Of The Woods, limits of 17- to 19-inch walleyes, and some good-sized sauger, are being pulled from 18-27 feet of water. The best reports are coming from anglers fishing one to one and one-half miles off Pine Island. About 11 inches of ice is common on this stretch, and ATVs are an option.

Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, ice depths are averaging 8-10 inches in most areas being fished. Lots of walleyes and northern pike continue to be taken from the 5- to 8-foot break near the Tamarack River. Numbers of large pike have been taken on the south shore near Roger's Resort. An occasional crappie can be found in the Hillman's area.

Blackduck
Walleyes are scattered at 8-20 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. Good-sized perch are being pulled from depths of 8-14 feet. Panfish reports have been limited on the smaller area lakes, however it has been difficult to travel these lakes due to slush. The larger lakes are in better shape, with 6-9 inches of ice on average, covered by less water.

Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, an average of 9 inches of ice is being reported roughly two miles out. Some slush covers the ice. ATVs and snowmobiles are now an option, and rental houses are being pulled out. An evening walleye bite is being reoprted off the Big Island in 20-22 feet of water. Perch are coming from this area, but from slightly deeper waters. Anglers are also finding perch in 7-9 feet of water at the mouth of the river. Spearing has been productive on the west end of the lake.

Walker
On Leech Lake, ice depths vary from 2-6 inches in Walker Bay, with no one venturing out. Better ice can be found in the Pine Point area, however the walleye bite has been limited. The ice is covered in a lot of snow, which has caused slush to form and hindered ice formation. The smaller area lakes, such as Garfield and Pine Mountain, have been a better choice. Panfish and northern pike are being taken during the day, and a few walleyes are coming in during evening hours.

Hackensack
Area lakes are covered in 2-10 inches of ice, with some slush being reported under the snow. Birch and Pleasant lakes are receiving the most activity--both lakes have 6-8 inches of ice on average. Panfish and small northern pike are keeping anglers busy on these fisheries. Walleye reports remain inconsistent. Spearing has been good throughout the area.

Cass Lake
There is 8-10 inches of ice in Allen's Bay on Cass Lake, with much thinner ice depths reported on the main lake. Travel on most of the smaller area lakes has not been good due to deep snow covering a layer of slush. As a result, fishing reports have been nonexistent.

Park Rapids
The Millpond area on Straight Lake is producing panfish in 10-18 feet of water. On Portage Lake, the sunnies and crappies have started biting in depths of 10-12 feet. For a few smaller walleyes, hit in 18 feet of water during evening hours on Fish Hook Lake. The south end of Long Lake has been best for northern pike. Ice depths vary greatly from lake to lake, with a layer of slush on most lakes.

Detroit Lakes
There is 6-12 inches of ice on area lakes. Walleyes are hitting at the weedlines of Little Detroit, Floyd and Island lakes. Look for crappies to be suspended over 18-30 feet of water on Melissa and Big Detroit lakes. Lots of average-sized sunfish are common on lakes such as Height of Land, Floyd, Melissa and Big Detroit in depths of 12-14 feet.

Battle Lake
Walleyes are active on the north end of Otter Tail Lake in 15-18 feet of water. On Blanche Lake, look for walleyes in depths of 16-18 feet during evening hours. Lakes such as Wall, Deer, East Lost and Blanche are producing sunfish in 10-15 foot depths. There is from 2-8 inches of ice on most lakes, however slush has been an issue on all lakes.

Alexandria
Ice thickness is averaging 6-8 inches on most lakes, with some slushy areas also being reported. An occasional walleye is coming from Lake Reno in 9-12 feet during evening hours. Look to Lake Mary for panfish in less than 12 feet of water. The "typical" crappie hots spots on Lake Le Homme Dieu have started to produce fish. Lake Ida is giving up a few walleyes at the 14-20 foot weedlines.

Starbuck
ATVs and wheel houses are now an option on Lake Minnewaska, where 10-12 inches of ice is common. Walleyes are hitting jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads, as well as shiner minnows and setlines at the 10-12 foot weedlines. Lake Emily is also producing a few walleyes. Panfish action has been limited throughout the area.

Osakis
On Lake Osakis, ATVs are heading out onto the lake. Town Bay is kicking out northern pike in the shallows. The Two Mile Bar is producing walleyes in 18-26 feet of water, and crappies continue to be caught in front of Holiday Resort over the deep water. The north end has been good for walleyes in 6-30 foot depths. A few sunnies are coming from the north end in depths of 18-22 feet.

Brainerd/Nisswa
Ice depths range from 2-8 inches on all area lakes, so caution is advised. Walleyes are hitting jigging spoons tipped with shiner minnows in 18 feet of water. Panfish are being pulled from slightly shallower waters. Lakes such as Round, Pelican, North Long and Upper Gull are giving up the most fish.

Crosby
Foot travel remains best on most area lakes. A slip bobber and small shiner is producing walleyes on the south end of Pelican Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows under tip-ups at the weedlines and flats of most lakes. Panfish are biting on lakes such as Mahnomen and Black Hoof, however most have been small.

Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, while walleye reports remain limited, the east end bays are giving up perch in 7-9 feet of water. Even though ice depths vary on the main lake, some roads have been staked by the resorts to a few areas near shore with structure. Some snowmobile and ATV travel is being reported in some of these areas. On the west side of the lake, ice thickness is roughly 5-7 inches about a half mile out, however some slush is being noted as well. ATV travel is expected this weekend, but anglers should call ahead for the most current conditions. The deepest snow is closest to shore, with less snow further out, aside from some drifts.

Sauk Centre
Rosy red minnows are producing crappies in Red Barn Bay on Sauk Lake. The narrows on Sauk Lake are worth checking out for sunfish and northern pike. Fathead minnows in 10-12 feet of water remain best for walleyes on McCormick Lake during evening hours. Look to Hunter's Bay on Big Birch Lake for sunfish. Please note that ice depths vary greatly, and heavy snow is causing slush to develop on area lakes.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY

Elk River/Zimmerman
Walleyes and crappies are being pulled from 17-20 feet of water on Blue and Green lakes. Elk Lake is giving up sunnies and crappies in depths of 7-11 feet. Small northern pike are being pulled from the shallow weedy areas of Fremont Lake. Ice conditions are improving, with foot travel on all area lakes, and ATV travel now possible on a few.

Annandale
Although all lakes are covered in ice, depths vary from 2-7 inches, with slush being reported. Lake John is giving up northern pike and crappies in 18 feet of water, and Pleasant Lake is producing fish in depths of 18-24 feet. For walleyes, hit 16-20 foot depths on Clearwater Lake, with sunfish coming from the 20-foot hole at the reeds off Turtle Bay. A few walleyes can also be found on the south end of Cedar Lake.

Waconia
On Lake Waconia, ice depths vary from 4-10 inches on average, however some spots have been measured at less than 3 inches. Areas with slush are being noted, therefore foot travel remains the best mode of travel if venturing out. In Waconia Bay, walleyes are being taken during evening hours from 10-13 feet of water. This area is also producing panfish during the day. Walleye anglers should also check out 14-18 foot depths at Anderson's Reef. Crappie anglers are having success at Pillsbury Reef. All anglers should use extreme caution and check ice depth often, especially if traveling outside of a bay.

Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, 2-6 inches of ice is covered by quite a bit of slush, therefore anglers must use caution. Panfish are biting in 10-12 feet of water in Phelp's, Spring Park and Crystal bays. Grays Bay has been good for northern pike action in depths of 17 feet, with a good evening walleye bite being reported across the lake in 22-26 foot depths. On nearby Medicine Lake, anglers are taking panfish, pike and walleyes from depths of 15-22 feet during evening hours.

West Metro
Prior and Parley lakes are giving up panfish in the shallows. Walleye reports have been limited. Please note that ice depth has been inconsistent on area lakes, with anywhere from 2-6 inches being reported. There is some slush under the snow on most lakes--please use extreme caution.

Chisago City
While the channels and bays are covered in 5-8 inches of ice on average, less should be expected on the main portion of most area lakes. The Whispering Bay Resort area on South Center Lake is producing crappies and sunnies in 6-14 feet of water. An evening walleye and crappie bite is being reported over 16 feet of water near the Dinner Bell on South Lindstrom Lake. Tip-ups and minnows are producing northern pike on the south end of Green Lake in 6 feet of water. Sunrise Lake has been good for a steady panfish and pike bite.

Forest Lake
There is 5-7 inches of ice on most area lakes, with limited slush. Forest Lake is producing walleyes in 15-18 feet of water during the day, and in more shallow waters during evening hours. Willow Point on Forest Lake has been good for northern pike in less than 10 feet of water. Look for walleyes and crappies in depths of 15-20 feet on Big Marine Lake during low-light hours. Clear Lake is also giving up a few walleyes.

Northeast Metro
Look for crappies to be suspended over 14 feet of water on Demontreville Lake. Lake Jane is giving up crappies in depths of 16 feet. Lake Peltier is producing quite a few sunfish. Depths of 18-25 feet of water have been good for walleyes on White Bear and Phalen lakes. There is some slush on the smaller area lakes, but ice conditions are favorable for walking, with an average of 5-8 inches found on most area lakes.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Faribault
Karderlik's Bay on Shields Lake and Bulrush Bay on Lake Mazaska are producing limits of sunnies and crappies in 13-15 feet of water. Tip-ups and minnows are turning northern pike at the 10-12 foot weedlines on Shields Lake. Shields is also giving up walleyes in depths of 18-20 feet.

Mankato
Anglers are finding consistent panfish action in Mud and Baker's bays on Lake Washington. Walleyes are hitting on Wita Lake in less than 4 feet throughout the day. Duck Lake is giving up walleyes in 5-7 feet of water. Crappies continue to bite in depths of 20-25 feet on Madison Lake. Ice conditions are reported to be good, with 4-10 inches of ice and no slush on most area lakes.

Willmar
On Green Lake, walleyes are hitting in 25-30 feet of water during the day, with fish being pulled from the shallow flats at night. Walleyes are also coming from 6-15 foot depths on Long, Diamond, Wagonda, Big Kandi, Ringo and Willmar lakes. Look for crappies in 10-12 feet of water on Norway and Diamond lakes. While ice depths vary, 8-12 inches is the average
where most anglers are fishing.

Ortonville
There is roughly 7-8 inches of ice on most area lakes, however some pockets of slush due exist. On Big Stone Lake, walleyes and perch are being pulled from depths of 12-13 feet in the Hartford Beach and Meadowbrook areas. Artichoke Lake is producing crappies in 10 feet of water. Lake Lac qui Parle started giving up walleyes just this week.
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