The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of Duluth, where good numbers of lake trout, coho, whitefish and herring are being taken from Lake Superior.
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. 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.
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/iceAnglers 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/index.html And, please consult Minnesota DNR rules and regulations for slot limits on specific lakes.
The opening dates for the 2007/2008 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; and for muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
On Lake Superior, lake trout are being pulled from 100 feet of water in front of the French River. Cohos and whitefish can be found in front of "The 21st" in 70-80 feet of water, roughly 30 feet down. Good numbers of cohos and herring are being taken off the Lester River on crappie minnows and small jigs. Crappies and bluegills are biting on Pike, Grand, Nichols, Boulder and Island lakes. On Fish Lake, try 15 feet down at the deep hole.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, the walleyes have moved to slightly deeper waters since the recent warm temperatures. Check 35-foot depths, especially around McIntyre Island and at the American Narrows. Crappies are biting in Sand Bay. Some nice-size northern pike and sturgeon are being pulled from the Rainy River. The game fish season remains open on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River, which are border waters.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the ice remains 3- to 4-feet thick. An insulating layer of snow covers the ice, which should help preserve the ice through the end of the walleye and sauger season. Anglers are finding a mixed bag of walleyes, sauger, northern pike and perch near Knight and Garden islands. The most consistent activity has been near the reefs and mud flats. For the most fish, use light tackle and either glow red or multi-colored jigs. Rainy River ice conditions also remain good, however there have been reports of open water and weak ice around Franz Jevne and the Indus area. Limits of walleyes and northern pike continue to be taken from the Clementson Rapids, and in the shallows. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleye fishing has been exceptional, especially around Little Oak and Crow Duck islands. Anglers report that any color jig tipped with a minnow is producing walleyes.
Blackduck
Perch and crappies are being pulled from Blackduck Lake. On Upper Red Lake, crappies can be found by staying on the move and working the pressure ridges. If traveling to Upper Red, don't forget an auger extension since the ice is 40 inches thick. For bluegills, hit Gilstad Lake.
Bemidji
The north side of Lake Bemidji is giving up perch on fatheads worked in 25-30 feet of water. Lake Plantagenet is producing some larger perch in depths of 30-40 feet, with 10 to 12 fish a night coming in on pink and white buckshots tipped with a crappie minnow. Crappies are biting on Portage Lake. For lots of smaller bluegills, hit Lake Grace using a spider ant.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, heavy snowfall over the last couple of weeks has created difficult travel on the ice, however the resorts have provided access by plowing roads. Perch anglers are taking limits of nice-size perch from the Bowen and Tamarac Flats. In addition to the deep structure, be sure to check the shallows. Lots of perch measuring up to 12-inches long are coming from depths as shallow as 10 feet, when located near deeper water. The best approach has been a jiggle bug spoon tipped with half a minnow or 2-3 waxworms. As usual, drill several holes until you locate active fish. Anglers advise bringing an auger extension due to areas of very thick ice. Crappies have been biting on Big Cutfoot Sioux, and just outside the Williams Narrows. The best approach has been a light and small presentation worked in depths of 24-26 feet.
Hackensack
Area lakes are giving up crappies on waxworms, with anglers doing well on Pleasant and Birch lakes. Perch action has been good on Leech Lake.
Park Rapids
Bluegills are being pulled from 12 feet of water on Fishhook Lake. Crappie action has been good in depths of roughly 30 feet on the Crow Wing Chain and Big Mantrap Lake, with fish found suspended. Most area lakes are giving up crappies.
Pelican Rapids
Sunnies and crappies are active on Lida, Prairie and Lizzie lakes. Tullibees are being pulled from Lizzie and Pelican lakes. Expect good panfishing this weekend, especially on Lake Lida.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, sunnies and crappies are biting on the Glenwood end. For the most sunfish, use waxworms on a small jig. For crappies, try a glow jig and crappie minnow during evening hours, right at dark and after dark.
Crosslake
Area lakes are giving up crappies, with lots of sunnies coming out of the smaller area lakes.
Crosby
Crappie fishing has been good on most area lakes. Nice-size fish are being pulled from the deeper holes on Bay Lake during evening hours, with blue glow jigs and large crappie minnows working best. Little Blackhoof has had the most consistent sunfish bite. Morning and evening hours have been best for the largest fish, with a few bonus crappies also being taken. Cedar Lake is reported to have a good day bluegill and crappie bite. Also check the “Deep Hole" on Perry Lake for a few fish.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, roads have been plowed out from Lybacks, as well as Northstar Resort at Wigwam Bay. A few jumbos are being taken by anglers willing to drill lots of holes and stay on the move. Anglers are also reporting success at Sherman’s Flats.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Anglers report a good sunfish bite on Long Lake, located north of Bertram, with a trail providing easy access. Crappie anglers are doing well using a trail on Birch Lake. Crappies are also being pulled from Grey Eagle Lake. For the most fish, use silver wigglers and freshwater shrimp.
St. Cloud
Sunfish are hitting waxworms, eurolarvae and freshwater shrimp on Clearwater and Sugar lakes. Black, pink, white and chartreuse jigs are all working well, especially when worked just inches off the bottom. Crappies are biting on Clearwater, Julia and Kings lakes, with fish found up and down the water column, in waters as deep as 35 feet. Mississippi River anglers are catching a few crappies and sunnies above the Sartell Dam.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the ice has turned slushy, and conditions are deteriorating around the shorelines. Sunnies are biting throughout the lake, especially in 8-12 feet of water. For the most fish, use a jig and waxworm. For crappies, check out the deep hole on Lake Sarah, with a few also being pulled from Black Lake. The panfish bite is reported to be steady on Lake Minnewashta.
Chisago City
Although slush covers the lakes, anglers are still getting out. North and South Center lakes, as well as the south end of Chisago Lake, have been good for lots of sunnies during the day, and a few crappies during evening hours. Crappie anglers are also taking fish from Bald Eagle Lake.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are getting boats out at the dam, with lots of 18- to 20-inch saugers being taken on hair jigs and minnows. A few walleyes are also coming in. Some crappies are coming from the Baypoint docks, however the ice disintegrating fast.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
