Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update Dec. 26, 2013

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Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update    Dec. 26, 2013
   
 

While anglers are taking nice numbers of quality fish, everyone must continue to use extreme caution due to heavy snow cover and slush covering areas of thin ice. When venturing out, please check ice conditions often. And before heading out, refresh your knowledge of ice safety guidelines on the Minnesota DNR's website.

Please remember that temperature, snow cover, currents, springs and rough fish all affect the stability of ice which could be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. It is important to check ice depth at least every 150 feet. According to the Minnesota DNR, 4 inches of new, clear ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. A minimum of 5 inches is recommended for snowmobiles and ATV's, and at least 8-12 inches is advised for cars and small trucks. Items recommended for checking ice thickness include an ice chisel, ice auger, cordless drill and a tape measure. Anglers heading out onto the ice should also carry ice claws and a long rope, and wear a floatation device and ice cleats. Consult with a local bait shop or lakeside resort for the most current ice conditions.

The fishing season for walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass remains open through Feb. 23, 2014. Smallmouth bass, however, are catch-and-release only through Feb. 23. The winter season for lake trout within the BWCA runs Jan. 4 through March 31, 2014; outside of the BWCA, Jan. 18-March 31, 2014.

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Northeast Minnesota

International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Walleye anglers are finding fish closer to the Rainy Lake shoreline than expected. The heavy snowfall has left some areas with slush and thinner ice. Sand Bay has just 7 inches of ice so traveling by snowmobile with portable gear has been best. Anglers are having the most success when jigging with minnows. The Rainy Lake City area has been a draw for northern pike anglers looking for a trophy-size fish. Snowmobile conditions are excellent for this time of year, and groomers are out working the trails. The Voyageurs National Park Green and Purple trails are staked and open. 1-800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Ely

Ice conditions have improved due to many nights of sub-zero temperatures. Although some of the hardened slush on top of good clear ice can now support some vehicle traffic this does not mean that all areas are completely safe. If you stick to the plowed areas you might be fine with fishing nearby but it's always a good idea to drill holes as you go to determine ice thickness. Walleyes are being taken with some aggressive jigging. Anglers are having the most success using chubby and lindy darters or buckshot spoons tipped with minnow heads. Some of the more laid back anglers are taking fish setting live minnows under a slip bobber just off the bottom. As conditions improve, anglers will become more mobile, targeting crappies and sunnies as well. 1-800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage

Anglers report some fast fishing action, with walleyes coming from the breaks near the shorelines; by the 1st of the year, the walleyes should be in the mid lake areas. On Poplar Lake, located in the mid Gunflint Trail area, the best approach has been a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow near the shoreline. On Devil Track Lake, near Grand Marais, most anglers are fishing close to the access points, but those venturing out a bit further are taking some very large northern pike. A tip-up with a larger minnow or a dead stick with a bobber and lively minnow is a good choice for a second line. www.VisitCookCounty.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Limits continue to be caught daily, with plenty of trophy-size walleyes being reported on Lake of the Woods. Fish and fish houses shifted a bit deeper this week. The best times to fish are from 7-10 a.m., and again after 2 p.m. Glow jigs tipped with a live shiner or minnow worked in 22-28 feet of water have been best. Use a dead stick 6 inches off the bottom for the first line, and an active jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head on the other line. Electronics have been helpful in locating suspended fish. Up to 16 inches of ice now allows for midsize vehicles and small pickups to drive on plowed roads. Wheeled houses are also being brought out from some of the resort accesses. Use resorts as your guides for the most current information, and stay on the marked trails since cold temperatures have caused a few cracks and pressure ridges to develop. The snowmobile trail is open on the Rainy River. Parts of the river have up to 12 inches of ice, with heavy bites reported in 17-21 feet of water when using a 3/8-ounce light colored jig tipped with a minnow. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing has been excellent, especially when using pink or gold jigs in 19-24 feet of water. Anglers report quite a few trophy walleye, along with lots of active crappies and perch. Measurements indicate up to 15 inches of ice, and the snowmobile trails are marked. 1-800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Cass Lake

There is about a foot of ice covering most of Cass Lake, and some areas still have slushy spots. Snowmobiles remain the way to travel. Spear fishing has been good. Rental fish houses are now out on the lake. 800-356-8615; www.casslake.com

Bena -Lake Winnibigoshish

Ice thickness on Lake Winnibigoshish ranges from 8-12 inches, however, areas with thick snow cover have thinner ice and lots of slush. Anglers report mixed results. While the perch are biting, sorting is a must. The walleye bite has been decent the hour before sunset, with fish coming from the shore drops in 12-24 feet of water. Northern pike remain active, and several fish weighing roughly 8 lbs were recently taken. Spear fishing has also been good. The west side of the Mississippi River inlet and on north to the Sugar Lake opening has been a real hot spot. The Third River flowage has also been good. ATVs and snowmobiles are the best way get around. Please be safe and take it slow while the ice continues to grow. Before heading out onto the ice, check in at any resort on the lake for up to the minute reports and travel recommendations. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker - Leech Lake

The ice continues to improve, especially on Leech Lake's Walker Bay. Ice thickness ranges from 9-14 inches in Walker Bay. Please note that the ice profile is primarily white instead of clear blue, and not nearly as strong. On a smaller area lake, one angler found several layers of ice with approximately 3-5 inches of water in-between the two layers. When pulling out a sleeper fish house he busted through the first layer numerous times before deciding to give up until next week when the slushy layer should have frozen. Some sleeper fish houses have been placed on Walker Bay and on several other area lakes. Anglers continue to spear limits of northern pike, with lots of panfish also being taken. Please continue to exercise caution while exploring new fishing locations this winter. Ice conditions will continue to be marginal in some areas due to the heavy snow that covers many area lakes. Slush conditions may prevail for weeks to come. 1-800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Hackensack

It was extremely difficult getting around last week, but more anglers are now venturing out with improved ice conditions being reported. Ice thickness varies greatly, with a as little of 2-5 inches in areas of some lakes, and as much as 10-14 inches found in areas of other lakes. Ice is averaging 6-10 inches thick, enough to support ATVs and snowmobiles. Everyone is encouraged to call ahead for the most current ice conditions, and to check ice depth often when traveling on the ice. Anglers that have made it out onto the ice have been doing very well. The majority of catches consist of walleyes. Reports of large northern pike are coming from Woman Lake anglers. Panfish have been active on the smaller area lakes. The evening bite seems to be a bit earlier than expected, probably due to the darker conditions in the water as a result of thick snow cover. 800-279-6932
Central Region

Glenwood

A good 14 inches of ice covers most of Lake Minnewaska. Anglers are catching lots of nice-size crappies and sunnies. Walleye anglers are taking fish from 8-14 feet of water. The lake is a slightly cloudy so spearing has been a bit more difficult. Lake Reno has more snow than Minnewaska on top of the ice, and there have been reports of flooding.

Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region

Ice conditions vary greatly on area lakes, and ice thickness ranges from 4-14 inches. The recent cold temperatures are penetrating the snow pack and helping to firm up areas with slush and thin ice. Anglers have pulled out portable shelters in areas with good ice, with a decent walleye bite being reported. Anglers are having the most success using suckers in 18-30 feet of water. The first permanent fish houses are starting to appear on area lakes. Please remember to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice. www.whitefish.org

Aitkin -Lake Mille Lacs

On the northern side of the lake, one resort that was plowing their access found roughly 7 inches of ice. One area had 9 inches of ice, but this was an area that had flooded and refroze, adding to the top layer. Please watch for any remaining wet areas since you do not want to stop or slow down in a wet spot. A decent northern pike bite was reported in the bays along the south end of the lake, with some scattered walleyes and a few medium-size perch also being taken. Suckers were best for the northerns, while shiners and fatheads were best for the walleyes. The perch preferred waxworms on small gem-n-eyes. Depths of 12-20 feet seemed to be the most productive. 1-800-526-8342; www.aitkin.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

No reports are available this week.
Southern Minnesota

No reports are available this week.