Reports are very limited this week due to deteriorating ice conditions and the close of the gamefish season on most Minnesota waters.
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is the city of International Falls, where good numbers of walleyes, crappies and northern pike are being taken from Rainy Lake.
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
Anglers are doing extremely well on Lake Superior, with the ice off 21st near the Lester River still supporting foot traffic earlier in the week. As the ice melts, expect shore fishing from the river to improve. Another good location has been off the point on the Wisconsin side in 30-50 feet of water. For numbers of walleyes, try jigging rattling buckshot spoons.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, anglers are catching walleyes near the American Narrows and in Sand Bay. Crappies are also biting in Sand Bay, in 25-30 feet of water, with the walleyes slightly deeper. Large northern pike are hitting ciscoes near Rainy Lake City. Boat accesses have not been cleared, but there is open water downstream from International Falls to Loman. Accesses are traditionally cleared as soon as it is safe, but use caution since drought conditions have resulted in low water levels and launching may be difficult. The walleye season for the border waters runs through April 14th, with special limits both above and below the dam at International Falls.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, there was still 4 feet of ice as of March 20. The plowed road from Wheeler’s Point remains in good condition. The South Shore is producing nice numbers of walleyes and sauger. The morning and evening walleye bite has been good in the shallows, between 12-17 feet, on a jig and minnow combination. For sauger, hit depths of 28-32 feet. The Northwest Angle and Islands area is giving up numbers of fish during morning and evening hours around Little Oak Island, in 18-20 foot depths. Ice remains in excellent condition, and the Big Traverse snowmobile trail from Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island is groomed and in good condition. The Rainy River is producing walleyes and northern pike in the Clementson area. Please note that there is a weak spot in the ice the Birchdale area. The open water at Loman is slowing expanding.
Blackduck
A good perch bite is being reported on Blackduck Lake. There have been reports of a good crappie bite on Sandy and Gilstad lakes. Sunnies are being pulled from Pimushe Lake.
Bemidji
People were still driving out onto Lake Bemidji last weekend, however anglers must check ice conditions daily since the ice can deteriorate rapidly when temperatures turn warm. A good perch bite is being reported on Pike Bay, Cass and Bemidji lakes. For the most fish, try a jig and minnow during morning hours. The smaller area crappie lakes are producing good numbers of fish. And, eelpout fishing on Pike Bay and Lake Bemidji has been steady.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, travel has become easier with the warm temperatures. The perch bite has also improved, and the fish are starting to show up in their typical spring locations. Hit 18-22 foot depths, or shallower, for the most fish, with some nice catches coming out of 26-28 feet of water. A northland jiggle bug with a minnow head has been best to attract active fish. A buckshot dropper rig and active chub or small shiner has also been good. Some areas to check out include Raven's Point, Mallard, Stony, and the outside of Perch Bar on the North Shore. The shallow flats near Bowen's and Tamarac Point are giving up lots of perch, but sorting has been necessary. The crappie fishing has started to improve on Big Cutfoot Sioux, with lots of anglers doing well this week.
Hackensack
Perch are biting on Pine and Leech lakes in roughly 10-12 feet of water. The sunnies are biting on Pleasant Lake. All smaller area panfish lakes are giving up good numbers of fish.
Park Rapids
Bluegill action has been best on the Crow Wing Chain in 10-12 feet of water on ice flies and waxworms. Fishhook Lake has also been good for panfish. For good numbers of crappies, hit 30 feet of water on Big Toad Lake.
Pelican Rapids
The panfish bite remains good on all of the smaller area lakes.
Battle Lake
Crappies are being pulled from 16-20 feet water on West Battle Lake. The perch are biting in depths of 14-18 feet on Ottertail Lake, as well as out on the humps in 30 feet of water. The sunnies are biting on Rush, South Turtle, Wall and East Battle lakes, to name a few. Tullibees anglers are doing well on Molly Stark and Lida lakes in the deeper waters.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, sunnies and crappies are biting near the fish hatchery and Lakeside Ballroom. The best approach has been either a waxworm and small jig during the day, or a glow jig and crappie minnow during evening hours. The weed beds at the Starbuck end of the lake are giving up lots of nice sunnies during the day. Further out, off the weed beds, anglers are reporting some nice-size perch when using waxworms. On the east side of Lake Reno, good numbers of sunfish are being taken.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, anglers are doing well at Caughren's Point and the hill access. Sunfish are being pulled from 12-16 feet of water, especially at sunrise and shortly after. Anglers report that the lighter the tackle, the better; try small wet flies tipped with eurolarvae for the most fish. Crappies are active in the same locations, but further down the drop-off. Start in 22-24 feet of water before sunset, and work your way shallower as the evening progresses. The best bite has been in 16-20 feet of water at night. Some nice 12-inch fish are being caught on glow jigs tipped with crappie minnows. Consistent sunfish action is being reported on Maple Lake, just east of Lake Osakis. Check the area out from the public access, along the north shore, roughly midway down the lake in depths of 8-12 feet. For the most fish, use a glow jig tipped with a waxworm or eurolarvae.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Lots of crappies and sunnies are being taken from many area lakes, such as Gull, North Long, Pelican, Whitefish, Upper Whitefish, Mission, Round, Nisswa, Margaret, Clamshell and Loon lakes, with nice-sized fish being reported. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm.
Crosby
Shorelines have started to melt, but most were still intact early in the week. Crappies are active on most area lakes. East Rabbit Lake is giving up both crappies and sunnies, especially at the many brush piles. Stay mobile for the most fish. Blackhoof, Little Blackhoof and Little Rabbit are also producing nice numbers. Cedar Lake has been good for crappies during the day. During evening hours, hit Mary, Bay and Serpent lakes. Check out Serpent’s numerous weed beds for nice-size bluegills.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, the roads to the flats are open from Hunters Point, and other resorts have roads open to good perch locations. Check the deeper water, as well as the shallow waters in the bays, especially during morning hours. A good perch bite is being reported in Wigwam Bay, heading out from Northstar Resort on the south side. Ann and Knife Lakes are giving up lots of panfish.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
St. Cloud
Sunfish continue to bite on Sugar, Horseshoe and Julia lakes. Some anglers are doing well fishing very close to the bottom, to replicate the activity of bottom-dwelling insects. For the most fish, try waxworms, eurolarvae and freshwater shrimp. Crappies have been biting on Horseshoe, King and Julia Lakes. Mississippi River anglers are taking crappies.
Wayzata
Lake Sarah is producing crappies and sunnies. On Lake Minnetonka, expect some channels to soon open up for some good shore fishing.
Forest Lake
Panfish are biting on Forest Lake. The deep holes on the Second Lake are giving up crappies. Little Lake in Chisago County, and the shallows near Pancake Island on South Center Lake have also been good. Check out Lake Peltier for sunfish.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, boats are out by the dam, and are able to launch from the Wisconsin side. Minnesota’s access should open up this week. For the most fish, try a hair jig and minnow. Some anglers are doing well at the mouth of the Vermillion River, and near the high bridge.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/solunar.htm
