Minnesota Fishing Report: April 17, 2009

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Minnesota Fishing Report as of Friday, April 17

Open water angling is already taking place in some areas of the state. Most bodies of water should be free of ice in the next couple of weeks, just in time for Minnesota’s fishing opener May 9 on most inland waters. Many anglers are looking forward to the Minnesota stream trout opener on April 18, and DNR officials report that the streams are in good shape and should offer good fishing conditions, especially in the southeast. Anglers can find trout stream locations and information online at the DNR trout stream web page. Please remember that anglers fishing for stream trout must possess a trout stamp validation in addition to a regular fishing or combination license.

Anyone considering ice fishing must remember that 4 inches of new, clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel by foot according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 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. Anyone choosing to venture out should first consult with a local bait shop, resort or authority for the most current conditions.

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

Sturgeon are running in the Rainy River, and anglers will soon be taking some very large fish. The sturgeon season runs April 24 through May 7. There’s a deep hole near the dam in International Falls, as well as a couple of deep holes further downstream. Another likely spot is near the mouths of the Little Fork and Big Fork rivers. For the most fish, thread several worms on a hook and use a good leader and enough weight to get to the bottom of these deeper holes. Anglers are also targeting large northern pike, with a good-sized minnow working best at the weed edges in the bends on the river. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Early open water anglers are gearing up to catch large northern pike on the Canadian Border Lakes, including Lake Namakan, where the pike season is continuous. Water levels are expected to be high for the May 9 opener, but not excessively high to affect fishing success. For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Spring fishing has been excellent on some area waters. While some lakes are still covered with a large amount of ice, others have open water in certain locations–please call ahead to learn which lakes are ice-covered and which offer open water angling at this time. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

Kamloop fishing has been good along the shore of Lake Superior from Duluth’s Lester River to the French and Sucker rivers. These fish are still staging offshore, and have not yet entered the streams according to a Lake Superior DNR fisheries specialist. Numbers of kamloops are being reported each day. The water temperatures in the streams are still in the mid-thirties between the French and Knife rivers, and the kamloops, rainbows, and steelhead trout typically prefer temperatures approaching 40 degrees before entering the streams to spawn. Shore anglers are also taking an occasional coho salmon from Lake Superior. For the most fish, use a spawn bag, nightcrawler or artificial looper bug. To learn more, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or check out www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Anglers are looking forward to the upcoming sturgeon fishing season which starts April 24 and runs until May 7. Anglers possessing a sturgeon tag are allowed to keep one sturgeon each year measuring between 45- and 50-inches long, or over 75-inches. Don’t miss the opportunity to battle one of these prehistoric monsters! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Open water is advancing each day on lakes in the Bemidji area. Licensed anglers are allowed to fish for crappies, sunfish and perch year-round in Minnesota. Anglers should look for feeding crappies and sunfish in the shallow waters early in the season, especially in portions of the lake that warm more quickly than the rest of the lake. Use a temperature gauge to help locate these areas which are most likely to hold feeding crappies and sunfish after ice-out. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Cass Lake

For information, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Park Rapids

Great perch, crappie and bluegill fishing is being reported in the shallows. For more information, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

The crappies and sunnies are biting in 4-6 feet of water, and in the pencil reeds along the shorelines. Ice has pulled away from shore on many of the lakes in the area. For numbers of crappies, use frostees with a waxworm or half a minnow either early in the morning or late in the evening. Sunnies have been biting consistently throughout the day. To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

The Thaines River, as well as some of the marinas and accesses on Lake Mille Lacs, are now open. The warmer water flowing in from the river will lead to some great warm water crappie action in these areas in the very near future. Early morning hours are generally best. Expect the jumbo perch bite to also be good in these areas. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

Fishing is just starting to pick up in the shallow lakes where the ice has already melted. This bite should continually improve for the next week or so. And ice on the deeper area lakes is beginning to melt as well. For further information, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities vicinity

White Bear Lake

The Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held on White Bear Lake this year, and volunteers, fishing hosts and sponsors are needed May 7-10. For more information, visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org, or dial 651/653-5122
Southern Minnesota

Lake City

The walleye and sauger bite at pool 4 on the Mississippi River has been great. Lots of nice fish are being taken from many of the shoreline current seams where these fish are beginning to stage for spawning. Warm temperatures and favorable river flows should create some great fishing conditions over the next week of so. To learn more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org


 “The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.”