Reports are very limited this week due to deteriorating ice conditions, and the close of the gamefish season on most Minnesota waters. Anglers choosing to venturing out MUST use extreme caution.
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/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.wildlifelicense.com/mn/ 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
Shore fishing on Lake Superior, in front of the rivers, has been good for a few steelhead. North of the Lester River, shore casting with waxworms, suspended off the bottom, has also produced a few nice fish. Some anglers are picking up coho salmon when trolling out from Two Harbors. On the south shore, the Brule River recently gave up a nice 23-inch brook trout.
Kabetogama
While lakes Kabetogama and Namakan still have plenty of ice, standing water, slush and unpredictable pressure ridges have limited access to fishing hot spots. Although Lake Kabetogama is currently closed to northern pike and walleye fishing, Namakan and Sandpoint, both border lakes, remain open to pike and walleye angling through April 14. There have not been many recent reports on crappie activity.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, a few anglers continued to fish through the ice on Rainy Lake last weekend, despite deteriorating ice conditions. Walleyes were taken from Sand Bay and near the American Narrows. Northern pike anglers took fish on ciscoes near Rainy Lake City. The Pat Roche access, just east of International Falls, as well as launches downstream from the dam to Birchdale, are now open. Rainy River anglers are doing well--be sure to review the regulations since there are different limits and slots above and below the dam.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, ice houses were removed last weekend, and the ice roads were closed due to deteriorating ice conditions. The Rainy River, running west from Rainy Lake to Lake of the Woods, is now open 25 miles east to the town of Birchdale. The Birchdale landing is free of snow, and the Frontier landing should be next to open. Walleyes are moving up the river for their spring spawn. Please note that the walleye season remains open on the Rainy River through April 14th. There is a two fish limit, and both must be under 19.5 inches.
Starbuck
The ice has melted on Lake Minnewaska. Once the water temperatures in the Starbuck Marina begin to rise, the crappies will start moving in.
Crosby
Anglers have shifted gears, and are now off-shore crappie fishing. Crappie anglers were doing well on Cedar, Bay, Serpent, Whitefish, Milford, Blackhoof and Pelican lakes before ice-out, and these lakes are expected to produce good numbers of fish as soon as access areas are free of ice. The Milford backwaters and the Turner Creek portion of the Rabbit River should be giving up fish before the end of this week. Reports are just starting to come in from the Mississippi backwaters and bays.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Anoka
Area lakes are now free of ice, and the Mississippi River is open. Please remember that you cannot target smallmouth bass or walleyes out of season. The crappies remain in the deeper water, where they were found during the ice fishing season. Expect fish to move into the shallows as the temperatures warm.
Wayzata
The ice is out on the smaller area lakes, as well as on Lake Minnetonka. Anglers are starting to catch fish from the shore, with crappies hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in 4-6 feet of water.
Forest Lake
Area lakes are now free of ice. Some anglers are catching crappies from shore on Chisago and Lindstrom lakes. Panfish will continue to move into the shallow bays as the temperatures warm.
Oakdale
Some crappies are being pulled from the St. Croix River. Good reports are coming from Peltier near the dam. With warmer temperatures, the panfish will relocate to the shallows.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are fishing near the dam, with a few walleyes over 10-pounds recently taken. The best approach has been a hair jig and minnow in depths of 7-10 feet. Try anchoring, and tossing into the rip rap for the most fish. Quite a few 18- to 22-inch sauger are also being reported. Nice-size catfish are being taken by anglers fishing for walleyes. A 40-pound catfish and a 42-pound paddlefish were recently caught and released.
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"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/solunar.htm
