Amazing sturgeon action on the Mississippi River near Pool #3; photo by Korbey Sellen Photography
Few reports are available as the ice fishing season winds down. Walking is now the best mode of travel for anyone venturing out onto lakes in northern Minnesota. It is extremely important to consult with a local bait shop or resort for the most current conditions before heading out. Please take a moment to review the information found on the DNR’s Ice Safety Guidelines web page.
Anglers eager to hit the open water and fish from boat have a number of options, including the Rainy River, the Mississippi River, and many lakes in southern Minnesota -- check the DNR’s Ice Out Dates web page for locations. Shore angling is an option along the North Shore of Lake Superior, and in southeastern Minnesota streams and rivers.
With the exception of some border waters, the gamefish season (walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass) has closed. Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2017/2018 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass and lake trout, May 13; muskie, June 3. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye anglers are enjoying great fishing action on the Rainy River’s open water. The walleye season remains open on area border waters until April 14. The northern pike, crappie and smallmouth bass seasons are continuous. The ramps at International Falls have been cleared. The Pat Roche Access, adjacent to the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters, provides access above the dam and below the Ranier Rapids -- this lake-like pool offers excellent fishing potential. The Ron Hall Access is below the dam just off Shorewood Drive in the west end of International Falls. Anglers are encouraged to fish the swifter waters below the dam and downstream to the golf course since this part of the river is not subject to the debris and clouding that occurs when the Little Fork and Big Fork rivers let out. Learn more about Rainy River fishing and many more outdoor topics at the International Falls Outdoor Expo scheduled for April 7 & 8. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Duluth - Lake Superior and inland waters
Some anglers are well into open water fishing. While the game fish season has closed, anglers can still target panfish, rough fish, and a variety of fish in Lake Superior and its tributaries. Another option is to travel to fishable waters such as the Rainy River and Mississippi River pools. Many anglers, however, are staying put, busily packing away their ice fishing gear and organizing their open water gear. Please note that while the inland lakes are still mostly ice-covered, conditions are dangerous. Look for good shore fishing opportunities once the ice recedes. Live bait worked in the warmer, shallower waters should produce lots of panfish. The St Louis River is transitioning nicely to open water and will be ready for early season panfish in the very near future. Anglers continue to work the Lake Superior shorelines for Kamloops. Successful anglers are using long rods, spawn or wax worms, and weighted bobbers. Anglers are also taking to the open water in boats and trolling up some coho salmon when using shad raps and/or spoons. Once fish are located, it seems a variety of tactics are working well. An occasional lake trout is also being reported by anglers fishing near shore. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
A few diehard anglers continue to head out onto the lingering walkable ice. Most anglers, however, are getting ready for the open water season. There are a few things you can do before the season that will help make your days on the water fun and successful. Take some time to prepare your rods and reels. Use a Q-tip to check all the guides for cracks or breaks. It’s especially important to check the tip since it can nick and break line easily. Anglers should also replace their line -- spray light gun oil on the shaft and inside of the spool, wipe the spool with a paper towel, then fill the spool approximately 1/8th inch from the top so the line comes off smoothly. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The ice on Lake of the Woods is good in some areas of the main lake but bad in areas with moving water and springs. While all resort and outfitter accesses are closed to vehicles, some remain open to four-wheelers and snowmobiles including Morris Point, Long Point, Dales and Arnesens. As always, use a resort or outfitter road since these are monitored daily. The walleye bite has been good with many keepers among the smaller fish. Fish are aggressively hitting presentations with flashers. Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail, along with a dead stick rigged with a plain hook or small ice jig and minnow. The best depths are 17-33 feet of water; the best colors are glow pink, red and gold. Tip-up fishing for northern pike has been amazing in the back bays and reefs. Anglers report that spring fishing on the Rainy River has been outstanding! The Rainy River is open all the way to Wheeler's Point, and the Birchdale, Frontier, Vidas, and Timbermill landings are open to all boats. Wheeler's Point should open by the weekend. Walleye fishing has been excellent with a few huge fish taken along with many eating-size fish. The best approach is a 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jig tipped with 1-2 frozen shiners. Pink, orange and gold colors are working best. Many sturgeon are also being reported.  800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Park Rapids
Schools of bluegills and crappies can be found in the shallows just under the remaining ice, generally in depths of 3-8 feet. Large schools of panfish can also be found suspended over deep water near their spawning grounds. Check depths of 20-45 feet for these fish. For the most action, use a bobber and minnow, or a jig and wax worm combination. Glow pink and glow white are currently the best colors. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
As of March 26, most of the larger area lakes still had 15-18 inches of ice, but recent warm temperatures have caused ice conditions to deteriorating rapidly. Ice on the smaller bodies of water is starting to pull away from the shorelines, and areas with current have very thin ice. Ice fishing will be over by the end of the weekend. Anglers that continue to head out report a great panfish bite. Most fish are found close to the weed edges or in the open pockets on the weed flats. Small jigs with wax worms, plastics or crappie minnows are working well. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Recent warm and sunny conditions have caused the ice to melt quickly, and the shoreline ice to recede and rot. The ice fishing season is nearly over, but bank fishing is just around the corner. Ice-out panfishing can be excellent in the extremely shallow waters where it is warmest. The key is to cast beyond the fish and retrieve your bait back to them. Anglers will also want to take time to prepare their boats, motors, rods and reels. Licenses need to be renewed -- this a good time to check for any new fishing regulations, and review how to avoid the spread of invasive species. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Anglers should note that walleye fishing on Lake Mille Lacs will be closed from July 7-27 to reduce hooking mortality, and the 2017/2018 walleye season will be catch-and-release only. Lake Mille Lacs does have a very strong population of bass, northern pike and muskie so there are many great fishing options on the lake. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Southern Minnesota
Winona - Mississippi River/Lake Pepin
The Mississippi River is completely open but water temperatures remain extremely cold. Anglers report that the perch and sand pike fishing at Lock & Dam 5A is very good. At Pool #4, anglers are taking quite a few large sauger. The walleye bite should heat up very soon. 507-452-0735; www.visitwinona.com
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Thursday, March 30, most area streams were either clear or slightly off in color with a normal to slightly high water flow despite the recent rainfall. Blue winged olives and little black snow flies were observed hatching. Anglers were excited to head out this weekend due to the forecasted warm and dry conditions. For information on fly fishing for trout, check out the trout fishing basics described in Stunning Streams Lure Trout Anglers. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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