Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for December 7
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. 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. Anyone choosing to venture out must use extreme caution and check ice thickness often. Please note that heavy snow has hindered ice production on most lakes and rivers.
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.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html==========================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, a few spear houses have been set up in and near the bays on 4-5 inches of ice. Please note that a lot of open water remains on the main lake, and the ice that does exist is thin and snow-covered.
Grand Marais
A lot of snow covers the ice on area lakes. A few anglers have begun checking the ice, but the deep snow has prevented thin ice from getting thicker.
Ely
The smaller area lakes are safe enough for foot travel, and some of the larger lakes are now covered in as much as 4 inches of ice. Please note that a lot of thin ice still exists on many area lakes.
Grand Rapids
While anglers were venturing out onto 4-6 inches of ice last weekend, recent heavy snowfall has caused slush to develop, making travel difficult on most lakes.
Duluth
Anglers are walking out onto 4-6 inches of ice, however 14 inches of now snow last weekend is causing slush to develop on the lakes. Fish and Boulder lakes have been good for lots of walleyes in 10 feet of water during low-light hours. For northern pike, hit 8-10 feet of water on Rice and Fish lakes using sucker minnows.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, Four Mile Bay had 7 inches of ice earlier in the week, with limits of walleyes being taken. Morris Point was reported to have 5-7 inches of ice, and Zippel Bay ice was measuring 5-9 inches. The main-lake ice currently varies from 6-9 inches, and may be accessible by this weekend.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, from 7-12 inches of ice covers the areas of the lake being fished. The best walleye and northern pike reports are coming from the southeast corner in 8-10 feet of water. ATVs were an option as of Tuesday morning, but the snowcover has become so deep that travel has become an issue.
Blackduck
Most lakes have 6-9 inches of ice. The perch bite has been very good on Blackduck Lake in 8-14 feet of water, with a few walleyes coming from depths of 14-20 feet. Look to Gilstead and Rabideau lakes for panfish. Deep snow is causing problems with lake travel on most area lakes.
Bemidji
While ice was forming nicely on most area lakes, the heavy snow has caused water to soak through to the surface, limiting travel on many lakes.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, spear anglers are doing well near the West Winnie Campground, where 6-8 inches of ice has formed. As of Tuesday morning, no one had ventured out ono the main lake. Depending on snowfall amounts, perch anglers may be able to access the main lake by this weekend.
Walker
On Leech Lake, anglers are beginning to walk out onto the ice at Shingobee and Steamboat bays, which are reported to have 3-6 inches of ice. Walker Bay still has some open water. Ice is averaging 6-8 inches on the smaller area lakes.
Hackensack
A few people had begun fishing on four inches of ice last week, but 10 inches of snow put a quick end to that last weekend. Slush and water is now an issue on most lakes where walkable ice had formed.
Detroit Lakes
The small lakes and bays are covered in 5-10 inches of ice. While some anglers are venturing out on ATVs, the thick snowcover could create slush. Walleye action has picked up on Deadshot Bay on Big Detroit Lake in 18 feet of water. Any weed edge in this bay should also be good for panfish. On Island Lake, panfish and walleyes are being pulled from 16-18 feet of water.
Battle Lake
Walleyes and perch are being pulled from 10-14 feet of water in front of Graystone on Ottertail Lake. Anglers are walking out onto West Battle Lake and finding a few walleyes and panfish on the first break. Sunfish are biting on West Lost Lake in 10 feet. Spitzer Lake is producing a few panfish in depths of 8 feet. Recent snowfall has caused slush to develop on many of the larger area lakes so please caution.
Alexandria
Ice depths vary from 2-7 inches on most area lakes, with the thickest ice found on the smallest lakes. The recent snowfall may create problems with ice formation. Please call ahead before venturing out. Anglers are already heading out onto Little Mary and Reno lakes.
Brainerd/Nisswa
While ice is limited on most of the larger area lakes, the bays and smaller lakes are covered in 5-6 inches of ice. Walleyes are being caught on Round and North Long lakes in 18 feet of water. Upper Gull Lake, and Jones’ Bay on Pelican Lake are producing panfish and a few walleyes in slightly shallower waters. Fish houses were being pulled out onto these areas earlier in the week, but with the additional snowfall, caution is advised due to the potential for slush.
Crosby
Most lakes have an adequate amount of ice for good “foot-travel,” with as much as eight inches being reported on the smaller area lakes and in the bays. Crappie action is picking up on Blackhoof and Perry lakes during evening hours. Northern pike are active on many area lakes, however reports are limited.
Garrison/Isle
While most of the ice on Lake Mille Lacs is not yet stable enough to support ice angling, some of the east end bays have up to 9 inches of ice. Some anglers are venturing out and taking decent-sized perch from the shallows, however most of the fish have been small. Expect some of near shore, main-lake structure to be accessible very soon.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Annandale
Anglers are walking out onto Clearwater Lake, and catching a few walleyes and crappies. For crappies, check out Dan’s Lake, and for walleyes, head to Lake Edwards. The smaller area lakes and bays have up to 6 inches of ice. Please note that some of the larger lakes still have areas with open water.
Zimmerman/Elk River
Elk Lake is producing crappies and northern pike in 6-7 feet of water. Fremont Lake has been good for lots of northern pike in depths of 4-6 feet. On Baxter Lake, anglers are taking sunnies and crappies from 11 feet of water. While these lakes have 4-6 inches of ice, other area lakes are covered in a thinner layer of ice.
West Metro
Ice depths vary from 2-6 inches on most area lakes. Anglers venturing out are reporting limited success. Lake Parley is often a good early-ice location, with quite a few anglers already trying their luck with the fish.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, 2-6 inches of ice has formed on Waconia Bay, however snow drifts and slush may cause problems for anglers. No other area of the lake has been checked for ice thickness, and there are no reports of anyone venturing out onto the ice.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, some of the areas that were first to freeze over now have 3-4 inches of ice, with a handful of anglers venturing out on the bays.
Chisago City
Anglers are venturing out onto the channels and bays where 5 inches of ice seems to be the average. An evening crappie bite is being reported in the hole in front of Whispering Bay on South Center Lake. The south end of Chisago Lake is producing sunfish and northern pike during the day. Walleyes and crappies have also started hitting in front of the Dinner Bell in more than 18 feet of water on South Lindstrom Lake.
Northeast Metro
An average of 3-5 inches of ice covers most of the smaller area lakes. Anglers have begun walking out, using tip-ups and shiner minnows. Northern pike and bass have been active, especially on Demontreville and Jane lakes in 10-12 feet of water.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
Ice has started to form in the bays of the Mississippi River. The docks located in the Baypoint Park area are giving up crappies. Boats are still an option on the river where walleyes and sauger continue to be caught on jigs below the dam.
Faribault
Due to little snowfall this past week, area ice is in good shape. Anglers are now walking on 4-5 inches of ice and catching fish. Karderlik’s Bay on Shields Lake is producing crappies in 18 feet of water, and northern pike are active in the shallows. Bulrush Bay on Lake Mazaska has been good for sunfish. Some shallow water walleye action is being reported on the Twin lakes.
Waterville
There is 5-7 inches of ice on Elysian, Francis, Tetonka and Sakatah lakes. A few panfish have been pulled from these lakes, and Elysian is giving up some walleyes in 7-9 feet of water during evening hours.
Mankato
The smaller area lakes have 5 inches of ice, while the larger lakes offer only 2-4 inches. Look to Crystal Lake for walleyes in less than 5 feet of water. On Lake Elysian, walleyes have started hitting in 9-12 feet along the points that are accessible by foot. Look to Mud Bay on Lake Washington for panfish.
Fairmont
Cedar and Iowa lakes are producing walleyes and perch along the shoreline breaks where 5 inches of ice has formed. Caution is advised on the larger area lakes and main portions of many fisheries due to thin ice. If snowfall is limited this week, expect more areas to become accessible in the near future.
Willmar
There is 4-7 inches of ice on most of the smaller area lakes. The larger lakes such as Green and Eagle froze over just last weekend. Walleyes are hitting in less than 10 feet of water on lakes such as Norway, Long, Ringo, Solomon and Big Kandi during evening hours.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
