December 17, 2009 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report

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December 17, 2009 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report
   
Anglers throughout Minnesota are now venturing out onto the ice, and many are reporting some very nice catches!

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 call ahead for the most current ice conditions - ice is never considered totally safe.

Information in this report has been provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls

Good ice is developing rapidly on Rainy Lake, with enough ice to now support snowmobiles and portable houses. Please remember that ice thickness will vary, especially in areas with current. Anglers venturing out are concentrating on areas with the best ice - these anglers are reporting a good bite. For the most fish, try jigging a minnow, with morning hours being best. It won't be long until the ice is thick enough for anglers to start setting up their fish houses. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Hard water angling has begun on Kabetogama and Namakan lakes. Locals report 6-8 inches of ice covering the Lake Kabetogama bays, with ice nearing 6 inches thick on the main lake as of December 14. Most of the recent ice action has been spearing for pike - the pike season is starting out late and should pick up shortly. Pike anglers will also want to try tip-ups over depths of 12-15 feet in the bays. For early-season walleyes, use a small jig and minnow. A walleye hot spot early in the season is 28-35 feet of water at the Ash River/Kabetogama mouth. Please use caution, especially when venturing out onto early ice. For information on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan and the surrounding area, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Hard water anglers have been rewarded with ice and with fish! Shagawa Lake anglers have already pulled out some nice, eater-size walleyes and some jumbo perch. They report that buckshot spoons tipped with minnow heads are working best. Crappie and sunny anglers are taking good numbers from Grassy, Robinson, and Johnson lakes on minnows under a slip bobber. The ice should continue to build rapidly as night time temperatures remain below zero. As always, please use caution when venturing out onto early ice since ice thickness can vary substantially from spot to spot due to sun exposure and underwater currents. A life jacket and ice picks are highly recommended. To learn more about the Ely vicinity, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Anglers report great ice and great fishing on Lake of the Woods. Ice depths are measuring more than a foot in the Morris Point area. Houses are being set up, and ATVs and snowmobiles are now being used for transportation. Some resort owners have said that this is the best ice they've seen in 10 years. It is very smooth, very flat, and very clear, therefore offering great conditions for ice fishing. Walleyes are currently being pulled from 15-24 feet of water on shiner minnows. Most of the walleyes range in size from 15- to 18-inches, with reports of a 28 1/2-inch walleye being taken last weekend. Northern pike measuring 32- and 42-inches have also been reported. Near Pine Island, anglers are reporting consistent schools of 16- to 18-inch walleyes, along with lots of small saugers. This area also offers clear ice, roughly 10-inches thick. On the Rainy River near Clementson the ice is measuring 3-4 inches, with 5-8 inches in the bay. Please be sure to call ahead for the most current ice road conditions, and always keep safety first! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Cass Lake/Deer River/Winnibigoshish, Blackduck and Leech lakes

Mother Nature has cooperated and blessed ice anglers with good ice. Lake Winnibigoshish has 8-10 inches of good ice and anglers are using ATV's to navigate to favorite fishing spots. Other area lakes have 10-12 inches of good ice. Walleyes typically remain in the more shallow areas where they resided during the fall, making it a little safer to pursue these fish. The key is to make as little noise as possible. Drill holes well before dusk so you can move from hole to hole without needing to use a loud power auger. On Blackduck Lake, ice depth averaged 8 inches as of December 14, and Upper Red Lake was reported to have 9 inches of ice. Local anglers predict that people will be driving out onto these lakes this weekend. For more information call 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Bemidji

Ice conditions in the Bemidji area are improving quickly due to cold temperatures and the lack of snow on the ice. The lakes can add almost an inch of new ice in one night when the temperatures drop well below zero. The deep lakes currently have as little as 6 inches of ice, while the shallow lakes have up to a foot of ice. Anglers must remember that ice conditions can vary greatly between lakes and also between the shore and the middle of the lake, especially early in the season. Most area lakes have enough ice for ATV's and snowmobiles, and anglers are starting to pull out their stationary fish houses. Upper Red Lake and Lake of the Woods have enough ice to accommodate vehicle travel very soon. Anglers on Upper Red Lake have been fishing the shoreline break for walleyes in 8-12 feet of water. Walleyes are hitting buckshot rattle spoons tipped with a minnow head, and bobber rigs tipped with a lively minnow on a colored ice jig. Walleye anglers fishing lakes with clearer waters have been doing will in 18-35 feet of water, depending on the time of day and weather conditions. The best walleye action on these lakes has been during morning and evening hours. There is usually a night bite as well on most clear water lakes. Crappie anglers are finding crappies suspended over deeper water during the day. Sonar is very helpful to locate these fish and place bait in front of them. Perch anglers are finding the majority of fish at the base of the drop-offs, along the edges of the mud basins. The transition area between hard and soft bottom is often the key area for perch. Northern pike anglers are doing well using tip-ups along the deep edge of the weedlines. For the most fish, use medium to large sucker minnows, or use dead baits such as smelt or herring at the inside turns and tips of the points along the weedlines. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

Ice on Lake Miltona is getting thicker each night, with ice ranging from 4-7 inches thick. Anglers have started to move their houses over the crappie and sunny holes. Since anglers are just starting to venture out few reports are available - this weekend should be busy so more information should be available next week. To find out more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Eight to ten inches of ice covers most areas away from channels and flowing water. Ice anglers can be seen walking out and towing their portable fish houses - a few are using ATVs when measurements show that there is an adequate amount of ice. The middle of the larger lakes and channel areas are still considered unsafe by most unless careful measurements show otherwise. Heath's Resort on Whitefish Lake has their rental spearing and angling houses out and ready for rental. Panfish, walleyes and northern pike are reported to be active in 8-20 feet of water. Jig and minnow combinations and vertically-swimming jigs are producing fish. Pine Mountain, Ada, Horseshoe and Woman lakes are also giving up good numbers of the three previously mentioned species. The best times to fish have been early morning hours and at dusk, which is typical for the early part of the ice fishing season. This week's tip is to tie a small swivel one foot above your jig to avoid line twist when vertical jigging. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Willmar Lakes Area

The ice on area lakes ranges from 5-9 inches thick, allowing travel by foot and four-wheeler. Some nice-sized walleyes are being pulled from Green, Nest, Florida, and Andrew lakes. Most reports indicate that the fish are active, and the ice is in good condition. To learn more, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

On Lake Mille Lacs, Isle Bay has  11 1/2 inches of ice in areas where there is no snow, and roughly 8 inches where snow has drifted and gathered on the ice. Perch are active and biting, with a few walleye being taken as well.  By this weekend, December 19 & 20, there should be a sufficient amount of ice for ATV travel. It is possible that some resorts  will even allow the use of small vehicles.  As always, it is very important that you call ahead and check with the resort where you access the lake for the most current ice depths. Please use extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

Anglers are now walking out onto all area lakes, with the ice measuring roughly 5-8 inches thick. For panfish and an occasional walleye, check out the areas below the Blue Water on North Center Lake. The panfish are responding to crappie minnows, waxworms and eurolarvae worked in depths of 5-11 feet. The walleyes are hitting fatheads, suckers and shiners in 16-18 feet of water. The south end of Chisago Lake is giving up panfish and northern pike. Pike anglers are doing well using larger sucker minnows and frozen smelt. And Sunrise Lake has also been good for sunnies and pike. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit www.chisagolakeschamber.com

Waconia

The winter ice fishing season has begun on Lake Waconia. As of Monday, December 14, ice thickness ranged from 7-9 inches in Waconia Bay, and 6-7 inches in Cemetery Reef. Reputable sources report that ice thickness at Pillsbury and Center reefs are 6-7 inches as well. Recent measurements show that random areas that were last to freeze now have roughly 5 inches of ice - please keep in mind that it is impossible to check all areas of the lake, so please use caution, especially during this early ice period. While the sunfish bite has been good, the size has been variable. Anglers have even stated that the perch have been overly active at times, keeping things exciting. Early season walleye action has also been good, especially between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Lake Waconia fish house rental should be available soon - to find out more, dial 952/442-5812, or check out www.destinationwaconia.org

No other reports are currently available for this region of the state.
Southern Minnesota

No reports are currently available for this region of the state.

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