February 23, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportThe thick snow that covered most Minnesota lakes has compacted, and the cold spell has frozen much of the standing water, making travel on the ice the easiest it has been all winter. Only one week remains to target walleye, northern pike and bass this season, so now is the time to head out for some great late season ice fishing action!
Minnesota's Take-A-Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is this Friday through Sunday, February 19-21, when Minnesotans age 16 or older can try ice fishing without purchasing an angling license if accompanied by a child under the age of 16. To learn more, check out the Minnesota DNR Take-A-Kid Fishing Press Release.
Anglers are encouraged to bring along a friend and some long rope. If venturing out alone, wear a life jacket and let someone know where you are going. No ice is every considered fully safe - please check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions before venturing out. The Department of Natural Resources states 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 remember that the distance between vehicles should be at least 100 times the ice thickness - if the ice is one foot thick, vehicles should be more than 100 feet apart. And, please remember that ice is never considered totally safe - contact a local bait shop, resort or visitor's bureau for the most current ice conditions before traveling.
Please check out the Minnesota DNR Ice Safety page for helpful, and potentially life-saving, ice safety tips.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
The return of frigid weather has made it a bit easier to travel on Rainy Lake. Walleye continue to hit jigs and minnows in roughly 30 feet of water. Popular spots have been in Sand Bay and near the American Narrows. Cranberry Bay has been best for large northern pike and some crappies. The snowmobile trails remain in good shape except where logging operations have left bare gravel, but there are only a few spots affected and they are fairly short. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Some anglers are having success with the rainbow trout early in the morning on Tofte Lake, with splake taken during the day. Lake trout anglers are doing well on Burntside Lake. Crappie action has been good on Garden Lake. The lakes have been covered in slush but should firm up soon, making travel much easier and allowing access to additional fishing holes. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake of the Woods, saugers remain the most active. Angers report taking large numbers of fish during afternoon hours. Roads and ice conditions remain in good shape, with 30-34 inches of ice being reported. Anglers are traveling many additional areas of the lake to find their best catches. Knight and Bridges Islands, the reefs and mud flats, and 10 miles out of Pine Island and The Gap are all producing good numbers. Minnows on glow-in-the-dark or gold jigs seem to be the best presentation, especially in 30-32-34 feet of water. Snowmobile trails are in great condition and continue to be groomed regularly. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Lakes in the Bemidji area lost some snow cover this week after several days of warm temperatures, and the remaining snow has compacted - travel should be much easier for the remainder of the ice fishing season. Fishing has been picking up in most lakes, with the best bites occuring during evening hours for most species. Walleye have been feeding in 16-24 feet of water in most of the larger lakes. The best approach seems to be the northland live forage spoon tipped with a minnow head. Crappies can be found suspended 5-15 feet off of the bottom in 25-40 feet of water in most of the smaller lakes. These fish are visual feeders and will take small plastics or small jigging lures just as well as live minnows in many situations. Perch anglers are finding schools of fish on both the shallow weedy flats and in the sticky mud areas in deep water. The deep perch are feeding on bloodworms and mayfly larvae, and the shallow perch are feeding on minnows and crayfish. 1-877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comCass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes
On Cass Lake, perch have been active during the recent stretch of warm weather. Perch fishing is expected to continually improve as the season progresses. While moving around on the lakes has been a challenge due to lots of standing water, the cooler temperatures forecasted for this weekend will improve conditions considerably. 1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comPark Rapids
Fishing has been very good this past week, with stable, above-average temperatures leading to a feeding frenzy. Panfish action has really taken off. Large bluegills and slab crappies are keeping anglers very busy. The nicest fish have been coming from relatively shallow depths, with waxworms and crappie minnows turning fish 6-12 feet of water. The most successful anglers are fishing high in the water column, just a few feet below the ice. Walleye action has been consistent, with anglers finding nice fish in 15-25 feet of water on some of the larger lakes. Northland moxie minnows tipped with a fathead have been best, while live medium-sized shiners on a bare hook are also producing some fish. Northern pike action has been great, with anglers taking nice-sized fish from depths of 8-15 feet on many area lakes. Large minnows and flashy artificials have been the key to catching the largest pike. There's only a little more than a week left to target northern, walleye and bass, so now is the time to plan your trip for some great late season ice fishing action! 1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Warm temperatures left slushy conditions on most area lakes, however this weekend's cool down will help immensely with ice travel conditions. Most anglers are now pursuing panfish, with the shallow weeds producing good numbers of fish on small jigs tipped with waxworms or minnows. The daytime bite should remain good for northern pike anglers. These fish are responding best to large baits under tip-ups, and active jigging with spoons tipped with minnows. The walleye bite has been slow, with a later bite due to the lengthening daylight hours. One hour before dark to thirty minutes after dark have been best. Jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head, or bobber fishing with a hook or small jig tipped with a shiner minnow have been the most productive techniques. Successful anglers are taking 2-4 fish during this active time. Please check ice conditions often, especially in areas with flowing water and current. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
The snow cover on area lakes has compacted down to roughly 1 foot, with anglers now able to drive around fairly easily to your favorite fishing destination. Snowmobiles and 4-wheelers remain the best means of transportation if you want to travel off the beaten path. At present, the walleye bite is in 25-35 feet of water. Nice-sized perch are being pulled from roughly 10 feet of water on the flats. Overall, ice remains more than 2 feet thick. 1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
1-877-833-2350;
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comPine River Area Lakes
1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleye are biting, but not quite as fast and furious. Anglers are finding walleye in approximately 12 feet of water when using shiners and rainbows under bobbers. Northland buckshot or lindy rattle spoons tipped with minnow heads and jigged in 26-32 feet of water has also worked well. Lake trout have been elusive, cruising along without hitting anything offered on Trout Lake. Northern pike action remains good on Pelican, Mitchell, and many of the smaller area lakes. The best approach has been a tip-up with a large sucker minnow worked in depths of 12-16 feet. Crappie anglers continue to report a good late afternoon bite when using glow jigs with minnows or waxworms, with most fish found suspended.
www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
Try to locate fishing spots that have not received a lot of fishing pressure, and there are plenty around. The key is stay mobile until you locate a school of fish, then drop a 1/8-ounce jig head with a small shiner or rainbow chub. Anglers recommend hooking the minnow through the mouth and up through the back of the head, then work it slowly once you register fish. Late in the season, the sand is often a good area to fish, but make as little sound as possible. Fish are in the deeper waters during the day, and pulling them through the ice can be deadly for these fish - if you choose to fish deep, please plan on keeping everything you catch. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
On Lake Mille Lacs, the walleye bite has slowed somewhat, however action is being reported in the deeper water, and on the mud and gravel areas. Perch action has been good in many areas of the lake, especially in the shallower waters. For the most fish, use jigging rapalas or Swedish pimples tipped with Euro Larvae or minnows. Drilling lots of holes and staying on the move has been the key to lots of fish. For northern pike, work the weedlines in the bay areas, with some decent reports coming from the Spider Island area. Sunnies and crappies are also active in the bay areas - use small jigs tipped with Euro Larvae or waxworms for the majority of fish. Cameras, or just looking down the hole, are helpful as the bite has been fairly light. Ice conditions on Lake Mille Lacs Lake are very good, with 30-36 inches of ice being the norm. Bring your cleats for the many slippery areas. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
The walleye seem to have gone into hiding, with few fish being reported. Many lakes continue to give up lots of crappies and sunnies, including Soloman, Green, Andrew and Eagle lakes. Foot Lake has kept anglers very busy, producing lots of crappies, sunfish and perch. The recent warm temperatures caused lots of anglers to pull their fish houses off the lakes early. The amount of slush has caused concern, and more snow is expected this weekend, so please continue to use caution and check ice depth often. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Sunnies are biting on the south end of Chisago Lake in 7-12 feet of water, with anglers taking limits of fish. Crappies are active on the north end of North Center Lake in 15-23 feet of water, especially during late afternoon and evening hours. Limits of crappies are also being taken. Walleye are being pulled from Sunrise Lake - please remember that there is a $10 access fee on Sunrise Lake. Large bass are biting on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes, with all fish being released since these are catch-and-release only lakes. Ice conditions remain very good on most area lakes. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of late last week, all area streams and rivers were running clear and normal. During periods of above freezing temperatures, water temperatures typically drop when the snow melts, resulting in an end to the insect hatch and active trout feeding. Prior to the "warm-up," there were reports of relatively thick midge hatches, with some winter stoneflies emerging. And male bluebirds could still be observed while fishing on the Middle Branch Whitewater along the sand rock and bluff area. This weekend, the hatch should resume. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
The city beach area on Fountain Lake is giving up lots of sunnies to anglers using waxworms. Bass and perch are being taken on minnows. The area just east of the beach has been good for crappie anglers. Perch and walleye are being pulled from the channel. On Albert Lea Lake, perch anglers are taking lots of fish when jigging under the I-35 Bridge. 1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
