Ice fishing fun; photo courtesy of Houston Guide Service
The unusually warm temperatures that we are currently enjoying will linger through this weekend, making this an ideal time to head out for some fun fishing action. While there is plenty of ice on area lakes, please continue to use caution and check ice depth often.
If you're not planning to fish this weekend, head to the 48th Annual Minnesota Sportsmen's Show at St. Paul RiverCenter, and check out hundreds of resorts, lodges and campgrounds, boats, campers, trailers and related merchandise, as well as hunting and fishing seminars, fun family activities, and more!
Take time to review the DNR's Ice Safety Guidelines and General Ice Thickness Guidelines. 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
The Rainy Lake hot-spots are giving up lots of fish. Walleye are being caught in 20 to 25 feet of water in Sand and Black bays. Black Bay is also yielding some good-size northern pike. Successful walleye anglers are using glow jigs tipped with a minnow. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Ely
The trout fishing opener was less than stellar due to few anglers heading out when thermometers registering minus 30! Those that did venture out reported moderate success, partially due to many anglers hunkering down in their shacks instead of moving around in the frigid wind. Fish were also not as aggressive. Travel conditions on the lake were, and remain, very good with ice roads providing access to popular spots. Walleye action has been sporadic. Successful anglers are using dead sticks or actively jigging in depths of 12 to 16 feet of water. Crappie action has been slow, but should build momentum as the season wears on. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
The inland lakes continue to produce panfish, northern pike and bass, as well as an occasional walleye. Tip-ups or other means of set lines are the best tactic for the predatory fish. Bluegills and crappies continue to be taken on small jigs tipped with waxworms or soft plastics in 10 to 20 feet of water. The St. Louis River has been hit or miss. The best fishing seems to be from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Aggressively jigging spoons or rapalas tipped with fat head minnow heads has been best. Fish are also being taken on chubby darters and psycho shads. Dead sticks have been pretty slow, but it’s always wise to have at least 1 bobber set-up. Pike, perch, pout and walleye are all being reported. The shipping season is over, so ice will build more rapidly. Ice should still be checked regularly, especially since ice conditions can change rapidly, especially on the St. Louis River and Lake Superior. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
The walleye fishing slowed during the cold spell, but some anglers did take fish during the last two hours of daylight. Smaller spoons with a minnow head or dead stick seem to be the best presentations. Big Cutfoot, Moose and Pokegama lakes, as well as the off-shore humps on Lake Winnibigoshish remain the best places to try. Crappies and bluegills continue to provide the most action, especially since there are roughly 50 lakes within 30 miles of Grand Rapids that are excellent for both species. Anglers having the most success are using lighter presentations such as small spoons and jigs tipped with waxworms or Euro larvae. Light line and soft tip rods are essential, as are electronics. Once you locate fish, keep your bait slightly above them since fish rarely go after bait that is below them. This stretch of nice, warm temperatures should draw lots of anglers out onto the ice. While there is plenty of ice on area lakes, please continue to use caution. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
A nice bite continues on Lake of the Woods, with anglers catching all sizes of walleye and sauger. Most of the action is taking place along the south shore in 24 to 30 feet of water. There has been a good morning and evening bite in 15 to 17 feet of water, and the daytime bite continues due to stained waters. For the most action, use a jigging line and a dead stick with live minnow under a bobber. Jigging spoons in gold, glow, glow red and pink U.V. colors have been best. Small rippin’ raps have also been productive. Anglers not working through a resort and using a resort fish house should bring along an auger extension. Snowmobilers should stay on the marked trails since large ice chunks of ice are scattered off the trails. Rainy River anglers are taking some nice walleye, along with an occasional sturgeon. Fish houses are set up along the snowmobile trail from Wheeler's Point to Baudette Bay. The morning and evening bite has been the most effective. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the bite remains very consistent, especially in 26 to 28 feet of water. Anglers are taking lots of nice walleye, sauger and jumbo perch. A dead stick will provide action throughout the day. Early and late in the day, try shallower depths for nice walleye, most of which are in the slot range. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
A nice bite continues on Lake of the Woods, with anglers catching all sizes of walleye and sauger. Most of the action is taking place along the south shore in 24 to 30 feet of water. There has been a good morning and evening bite in 15 to 17 feet of water, and the daytime bite continues due to stained waters. For the most action, use a jigging line and a dead stick with live minnow under a bobber. Jigging spoons in gold, glow, glow red and pink U.V. colors have been best. Small rippin’ raps have also been productive. Anglers not working through a resort and using a resort fish house should bring along an auger extension. Snowmobilers should stay on the marked trails since large ice chunks of ice are scattered off the trails. Rainy River anglers are taking some nice walleye, along with an occasional sturgeon. Fish houses are set up along the snowmobile trail from Wheeler's Point to Baudette Bay. The morning and evening bite has been the most effective. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the bite remains very consistent, especially in 26 to 28 feet of water. Anglers are taking lots of nice walleye, sauger and jumbo perch. A dead stick will provide action throughout the day. Early and late in the day, try shallower depths for nice walleye, most of which are in the slot range. 877-250-5959; www.visitbemidji.com
Park Rapids
Fishing has been consistent on area lakes. The crappies have moved into the deeper holes on most area lakes. Anglers are finding fish suspended roughly 20 to 30 feet down over depths of 35 to 45 feet. For the most action, use 2 lines: one with a crappie minnow on a glow jig and the other with a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Northern pike continue to cruise the shallow weed beds where the oxygen levels seem to be decent. Pike anglers having the most success are suspending a medium-size shiner on a #2 chartreuse hook roughly 2 feet off the bottom at the weed flats in depths of 7 to 12 feet of water. Walleye are active at the deep weed lines in the 12 to 18 feet of water, primarily at dawn and at dusk. On one line, use a tip-up rigged with a shiner minnow on a #2 glow hook, and on the other line, use a gold- or perch-colored jigging spoon tipped with a small minnow head. During the day, check the deep, sunken islands using just a jigging spoon at multiple holes. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Detroit Lakes
The ice conditions are excellent throughout the Detroit Lakes area, with ice measuring 18 to 24 inches on most lakes. Most anglers are traveling via 4x4s, wheelers and sleds. There are several inches of snow covering the ice with some drifts that anglers will want to watch for. The walleye bite slowed during the cold front, typical for this time of the season, but some were taken an hour or two before dark and just after dark. Fish have been running deeper on the outside edges of breaks and deep weedlines. A mix of jigging and dead rods/rattle reels have been the preferred presentations. The best bite currently is the panfish bite, with sunfish coming from the weeds/outside edge of the weedlines, and crappies found suspended over deeper water with soft bottom areas. Northern pike action is expected to pick up on the flats this weekend as we transition to warmer weather. For pike, use tip-ups and big minnows. Hopefully the warming trend will have a positive effect on all species. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
Fishing remains strong around Ottertail Lakes Country, and the lakes have been active with anglers. Panfish can be found wandering the weedy flats in 8 to 12 feet of water or suspended over deep holes and pockets in lake basins. Once the sunfish and perch are located, set out a tip-up in a nearby hole for northern pike. Use a quick-strike rig and sucker minnow, or a single large hook with a large shiner or sucker. Walleye have been active, but first they need to be located. Once found, you will need to determine if they are responding to jigging spoons, or dead sticks with shiners, suckers or fat head minnows. Most recently, the walleye haven’t responded to anything consistency so be sure to try a bunch of different options until you find what’s best. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
While last weekend’s bitter cold made it difficult for anglers pulling out their portables, the action below the ice remained strong. On the southeast side of Lake Mille Lacs, lots of limits of jumbo perch were reported, along with good numbers of large northern pike. There were also reports of large walleye coming from the shallows on the rocks. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Willmar
A lot of anglers were out ice fishing over the weekend. The average ice thickness is 16 to 20 inches, but there are quite a few ice heaves on many area lakes so anglers should still use caution. Lakes kicking out the majority of fish include Lillian, Big Kandiyohi, Eagle and Nest lakes. On Sunday, the bite heated up on Green Lake as well. Anglers are hopeful that this week’s warm-up will kick the bite into high gear! 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Hastings - St. Croix & Mississippi Rivers
The Carpenter Nature Center will host numerous ice fishing programs and adventures for all ages, and they’re free! Just some of the upcoming programs include Advanced Ice Fishing on Jan. 20, and Family Ice Fishing Day on Jan. 27 & Feb. 10. Please call ahead to reserve your spot at 651-437-4359. 651-437-6775; www.visithastingsmn.org
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Wed., Jan. 17, fisheries staff reported that most area streams and rivers were clear with a normal water flow. The unusually warm temperatures that we are currently enjoying will linger through this weekend, making this an ideal weekend to head out and fish! Learn more at Hot Tips for Cold Weather Trout Fishing in Minnesota’s Driftless Area. 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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