Minnesota Fishing Report: April 4
Anglers 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/ And, please consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for slot limits on specific lakes.
The opening dates for the 2008/2009 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, lake trout and stream trout in lakes, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; and for muskie, June 7. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
Please remember that ice is never considered totally safe. The DNR 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.
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.htmlAnglers 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.htmlNortheastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleye action has been best during low-light hours in 36-43 feet of water at the American Narrows, and in 30-32 feet of water off Birch Point. Forty foot depths on the east end have been best for walleyes. Some open-water walleye action is being reported at the mouth of the Little Fork River.
Grand Rapids
Crappie action remains strong on Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake in 18-24 feet of water. The south end of Bowstring Lake is producing crappies during evening hours in depths of 20-24 feet. A mixed bag of panfish is coming from 12-18 feet of water at Poole’s Bay on Lake Pokegama. Perch continue to be pulled from depths of 6-9 feet on Jay Gould Lake. Bass Lake continues to offer an excellent bluegill bite in 12-18 feet of water.
Duluth
Fish Lake has been best for ice anglers, with crappies being pulled from 12-14 feet of water. Shore anglers along Lake Superior are catching kamloops and cohos more consistently this week, with crawlers and waxworms working best. The best stretch remains from the Lester River to French River.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, while most resorts now have pulled their houses, the Pine Island area continues to provide steady walleye action in 18-26 feet of water. The Rainy River is now open at Birchdale, and walleye reports seem to improve each day. Numbers of 16- to 18-inch fish have been common, with an occasional trophy walleye mixed in.
Bemidji
Anglers report an evening crappie and bluegill bite on Pimushe Lake in 16-20 feet of water. Minnows and Eurolarvae are producing perch on Lake Bemidji in 20-24 feet of water. Look to Turtle River Lake and Lake George in depths of 8-10 feet for bluegills.
Cass Lake
On Cass and Pike Bay lakes, work the six- to eight-foot sand flats holding weeds for numbers of perch. Bluegills are being pulled from depths of 12-15 feet of water on Grace Lake, Moose Lake, and from Allen’s Bay on Cass Lake. Crappie reports have been sporadic, with a few fish coming from Lower Sucker and Welch lakes.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, limits of perch are being pulled from Sugar Bar, the Sugar Bar Humps, and Raven’s Humps in 20-25 feet of water. The 10- to 15-foot shoreline breaks along the west side have also provided steady perch action. ATV travel is now the recommended mode of travel. Many resorts have closed their roads, and anglers are relying on the public access points to venturing out.
Walker
On Leech Lake, hit 8-12 feet of water at Pine and Cedar points for perch. The Goose Island Flats and Sucker Bay continue to produce perch in depths of 6-14 feet. Bluegills and crappies are hitting on most of the smaller area lakes, and the shallow waters of the Leech Lake bays.
Hackensack
On Lake Inguadona, crappie action has improved during evening hours in less than 10 feet of water. Sunfish are being taken from the mouth of the river. Sunnies and crappies are active on Pleasant Lake in depths of 14 feet. The shallows of Lindsay and Birch lakes have been good for sunfish.
Park Rapids
Bluegill action remains consistent on the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes in 6-12 feet of water. Fish Hook Lake remains a safe bet for bluegills in 8-12 feet of water. The best crappie reports are coming from Big Mantrap Lake during evening hours in 12-20 feet of water.
Battle Lake
Crappies can be found suspended in depths of 18 feet of water during evening hours on Rush, West Battle, South Turtle and Dead lakes. Otter Tail Lake continues to produce perch in 10 feet of water. Mollie Stark and Pickerel lakes remain good choices for tullibees. Sunfish are coming from 12-15 feet of water on many area lakes, with Star, Dead, Rush and West Battle lakes leading the way.
Alexandria
Sunnies and crappies remain active in 10-12 feet of water on Miltona, Geneva, Smith, Mary, Le Homme Dieu and Darling lakes. For the largest fish, stay on the move, especially during low-light hours.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, the north-end bay is producing sunnies and crappies. For the nicest fish, drill lots of holes and stay on the move. Most reports are coming from 18-22 feet of water, but a few pods of sunfish have been found on the 8- to 12-foot shoreline drops.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Nisswa, Round, Margaret and North Long lakes are producing sunfish on Eurolarvae worked in 6-12 feet of water. Crappies continue to be found suspended during evening hours in 15-20 feet on Gull and Round lakes.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, fathead minnows worked at the mid-depth rocks on the east side of the lake are producing the larger perch. The Big Point area is also giving up a few good-sized perch, especially in 25 feet of water or more. Try Eurolarvae in 7-9 feet of water at Isle Bay for crappies. Reports from the west side of the lake have been limited.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Sunfish are active in 5-16 feet of water on Rice, Browns, Cedar Island and Long lakes, as well as on the north end of Eden Lake. Crappies remain active during low-light hours in 12-16 feet of water on Horseshoe, Grand and Pearl lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
Crappies remain active over depths of 25 feet on Green Lake. Sunfish are coming from 11 feet of water on Baxter Lake. The 10-foot humps on Blue Lake are giving up a mixed bag of panfish.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Pillsbury Reef on Lake Waconia is providing steady sunfish action in 6-12 feet of water. Crappies remain active during evening hours just to the right of the access on Whaletail Lake. Hit 12 feet of water on Parley Lake during evening hours for crappies.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the north side of Crystal Bay remains best for sunfish action. For the most fish, hit 10-12 feet of water. On Lake Sarah, panfish can be found suspended over 16-20 feet of water during evening hours. Look to the south side of Medicine Lake for sunfish in less than 10 feet of water.
Chisago City
Sunnies and crappies are being pulled from 6-10 feet of water at the bays on North Center, Chisago and South Center lakes. A few crappies are also coming from 26-28 feet on Chisago Lake during evening hours.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
Sunnies and crappies are biting in 10-12 feet of water on Lake Jane. The Bayport area of the St. Croix River has started giving up crappies again in depths of 20 feet or more. Pool #2 on the Mississippi River has been good for walleyes, sauger and white bass.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Large walleyes have become more active on the Mississippi River, and the sauger bite remains very consistent. The dam area has been best in 18-25 feet of water, with the Hay Creek area also kicking out fish. Ike’s hair jigs, brightly-colored ringworms, and Sonars are all producing fish.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
