Explore Minnesota Fishing Report, January 30, 2009
Anglers report good fishing action throughout the state. Fishing typically improves even more during the month of February, with anglers doing very well with the walleyes late in the season. Please note that the gamefish season on Minnesota’s inland waters ends February 22.
Anglers choosing to venture out are encouraged to call ahead for the most current ice conditions. Please note that the Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of new, clear 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 ice is never considered totally safe. For more on ice thickness guidelines and ice safety tips, check out Ice Thickness Guidelines by the Department of Natural Resources website.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales
Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
Walleye are hitting jigging spoons tipped with minnows, with good reports coming from Birch Point and the American Narrows. The area near Rainy Lake city continues to give up good-sized northern pike. Cold temperatures have firmed up most of the slushy spots allowing anglers with portable gear easier access to areas off the plowed roads. Voyageurs National Park has opened and staked most of its lake trails, and the land trails are all in excellent condition. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or check out
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
More anglers are heading out onto Lake Kabetogama now that temperatures have become more moderate, and the slush has begun to solidify. Caution should still be used since there remains a possibility of getting stuck in slush when pulling a sled. Walleye anglers are currently having the most success using an ice jig and minnow–a jig tipped with a minnow head works well for a soft presentation. Depths of roughly 32 feet seems to be best. And, some nice-sized perch continue to come from the west end of Kabetogama. Please note that while the land trails are in excellent condition for snowmobiling, the lake trails are rough. To find out more, dial 1-800-524-9085, or visit
www.kabetogama.comDuluth
Some Lake Superior ice anglers are having success fishing just off 21st Avenue East in Duluth. Lake trout, coho salmon and whitefish are being pulled from depths of at least 40 feet. For lake trout, use heavy jigs or lures, 5/8th- to 1-ounce in weight, with a piece of smelt or chub minnow attached for some scent and fished at the bottom in 60 feet or more. Try various jigging techniques and presentations. For salmon and whitefish, concentrate on the top 20 feet of the water column, where these species typically travel, using a larger do-jigger lure or smaller Swedish pimple. A fish-finder is essential so you can mark your bait and observe how fish react to it. Ice thickness is measuring roughly 10 inches. As usual, please remember that currents and offshore winds can break off ice and carry it away–please contact local bait shops for the most current conditions before venturing out. To learn more, dial 1-800-438-5884, or check out
www.visitduluth.comNorthcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
While the temperatures are cold, the fishing action is heating up! Anglers are in the process of moving their houses in search of the next “hot spot.” At present, the bite has been strong is 32-36 feet of water when using a frozen shiner, with fish found suspended a few feet off the bottom. A nice variety of sizes are being reported, along with several walleyes over 30-inches. The bite is picking up and should continue to improve as the season progresses. For more information, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Fishing usually picks up in February, with walleye anglers doing very well late in the season. At present, walleye fishing has been best on the warmer days during periods of stable weather. Access remains best on the larger lakes, but a few of the smaller lakes are receiving fishing pressure by panfish anglers. On Lake Bemidji, most walleyes are being taken during morning and evening hours, and after dark. Most of the action is occurring in front of the public accesses in 18-26 feet of water. Anglers should use caution along the east shore of the lake, especially near the outlet of the Mississippi, with several snowmobiles recently going through the ice. To the north, Upper Red Lake has been one of the hottest lakes for walleyes all winter. Walleye anglers are catching fish throughout the lake. Upper Red Lake has very little structure, therefore walleyes can be found anywhere in the lake. Crappie action has been best on the north end of the lake. Most anglers are fishing in 12-15 feet of water in the hopes of hitting one of the legendary schools of large crappies. Anglers are allowed to fish with two lines during the winter–try aggressively fishing one line using a jigging spoon or jigging minnow, and use the second line as a “dead-stick”, with a bobber and lively minnow. Bright or glow colors are usually better on lakes with stained water. The day bite is typically better in stained water, with clear water angling usually best during low light hours and after dark. On nearby Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes are being taken during morning and evening hours, with a few perch coming in during the day. Most of the walleye action has been in 18-26 feet of water, and slightly deeper for perch. Anglers are working the mid-lake humps and the edges of larger bars for both walleyes and perch. Please remember that the gamefish season on the inland waters of Minnesota closes February 22. To learn more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.visitbemidji.comWalker/Leech Lake
Walleye action on Leech Lake continues to improve, and there are only a few more weeks left to take advantage of this great ice fishing action! This past week, anglers were taking lots of limits. Northern pike spearing is also going great, with anglers seeing lots of fish, and taking quite a few eating-sized pike. Sunfish and crappie action has been good on a variety of area lakes, including the Shingobee Island area on Leech Lake. Ice conditions continue to improve, with most ice measuring 20 inches or more. Anglers are encouraged to stay on the plowed roads to avoid getting stuck. For more information, dial 218/547-1313, or visit
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
Many area lakes have become much easier to navigate now that the slush has frozen solid, however travel does remain difficult on some lakes. Certain areas on Fish Hook Lake have 4-inches of water and slush covering the ice. Some anglers with stationary fish houses have had to raise their structures several inches to avoid flooding. Walleye anglers are currently having the most success hitting depths of 18-25 feet using smaller minnows. Some anglers have even switched to jigging spoons tipped with a couple of waxworms in order to tempt the less aggressive fish. Crappie action has been sporadic, with anglers finding active schools both shallow and deep. For the most fish, remain mobile and check lots of holes until you locate a school of crappies. Jigs tipped with a waxworm or crappie minnow are producing fish, with jigging spoons tipped with a waxworm or larvae also enticing fish when shaken. Northern pike remain active, and anglers report taking some very nice fish. Areas with leafy, healthy vegetation hold the majority of pike, especially due to the panfish connection–concentrate on those areas holding plenty of panfish. The bluegill bite has been fairly consistent, with lots of 8- to 10-ounce fish coming from 8-18 feet of water on tiny jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes. And, don’t forget the 11th Annual American Legion Community Fishing Contest held on Fish Hook Lake on Saturday, February 7, with over $100,000 in prizes to be given away, including a new truck and an Ice Castle fish house! To find out more, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Sunfish and crappies remain active on Little Detroit, Melissa and Floyd lakes, as well as Big Detroit’s Deadshot Bay. Look for sunfish in 10-12 feet of water, with crappies found suspended over depths of 12-20 feet. Northern pike continue to be taken by anglers and spearers in less than 12 feet of water on most lakes. Walleyes have become a bit more difficult to locate, although Little Detroit is producing fish during the evening hours in depths of 20 feet. To learn more, contact the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce, at 1-800-542-3992, or check out
www.visitdetroitlakes.comIsle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs
Walleye anglers continue to have success when remaining mobile and fishing the deeper waters. Depths of 24-34 feet have been best, with some fish also coming from 8-12 feet of water after sundown. The deeper mud flats are holding the majority of walleye and jumbo perch, and the deeper gravel on the south end is also producing fish. Buckshot spoons and sucker minnows are the bait of choice, especially with the shortage of shiners. Expect the jumbo perch bite to continue to improve. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comTwin Cities vicinity
White Bear Lake
Fishing on White Bear Lake has slowed somewhat due to the recent cold spell. Anglers that did venture out, however, caught a few walleyes and some nice 10- to 13-inch crappies in 12-15 feet of water. For the most fish, use a glow jig tipped with a minnow. One lucky angler recently took a 12-pound northern pike on a glow jig and minnow. A few jumbo perch were also recently taken. Expect the bite to pick up soon with the warmer temperatures. To learn more, contact Explore White Bear at 651/429-5393, or
www.explorewhitebear.orgSouthern Minnesota
No reports are currently available.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
