Joe Henry's 31-inch walleye pulled from Lake of the Woods; photo courtesy of www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Anglers are looking forward to another weekend of mild temperatures. Ice conditions remain good, but anglers should stilll use caution when venturing out.
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
Ely
Trout fishing is drawing the majority of anglers to the lakes in the area with limits of rainbow trout coming from many area lakes. Most anglers are fishing for trout from just under the ice to depths of 14 feet. Baits of choice range from tiny soft-bodied jigs tipped with wax worms to fresh, salted minnows. Remember, only dead minnows are allowed on designated trout lakes. The best fishing times are during midday hours with a minor surge in activity at daybreak. Lake trout are another species being pursued by anglers with decent numbers reported. Some avid anglers are traveling to the Boundary Waters with lots of 3- to 6-pounders, as well as a few weighing near ten pounds. Many waterways have only minimal snow cover over decent ice thickness so anglers are traveling by light truck, sled and four-wheeler without issue. Walleye fishing has been challenging. Anglers there are finding it is better to move often to attain the best results. Minnows on a dead stick will work, but a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head will tempt the more aggressive walleye. This is where it pays to have good electronics, using them to locate schools of walleye that are chasing schools of bait fish. Just like open water fishing, if a spot is not producing, move to another location. Most lakes are covered in at least 16 inches of ice, but it's best to drill as you go when approaching choke points and moving water. Remember that no ice is ever considered safe. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
The inland lakes continue to offer the most consistent bite. While the walleye action has slowed, the panfish action remains strong. Tungsten jigs tipped with soft plastics have been the best presentation, and hole-hopping has helped increase the numbers -- mobility can make a huge difference. Anglers are also taking good numbers of northern pike and bass off the weed edges. Tip-ups with shiners or suckers are turning nice numbers of fish. Some of the crappies are moving toward the deeper basins. It is important to reel these fish in slowly if you plan to release them. The St. Louis River still has decent ice in areas with little to no current. While the ice is in good shape, no one should drive out on the river. Travel by foot or machine are the only options in the non-current areas. Some decent-sized walleye are being taken at dawn and dusk on spoons tipped with whole minnows. Anglers are also taking some nice perch and northern pike. The Lake Superior ice is unstable in a lot of areas. No reports are available for angling along the North Shore. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
Ice conditions for lakes in the Grand Rapids area are good, and anglers are enjoying one of the best winters in many years. Most species are being reported, including walleye, northern pike, panfish and trout. Tioga Pit, Kremer, and Moonshine lakes are giving up rainbow trout, with some of the largest fish coming out of Tioga. Small spoons and light line will usually do the trick. The Grand Rapids area is teaming with great panfish lakes and a few of the bluegill lakes have special 5 fish regulations to insure the future of large gills. Bass Lake in Cohasset, and Big and Little Splithand Lakes are examples, with nice-sized 9 to 10 inch fish being taken. Other area lakes that have good bluegill fishing are Trout Lake in Coleraine, Little Cutfoot Lake, Rush Island Lake, and the Gunn Lake Chain of Lakes. Crappie fishing also has been good and there are many crappie lakes that you can choose from. Many lakes offer lots of bluegills and crappies, but depths are different for each species. Walleye fishing has been decent, with the most action early and late in the day. Pokegama, Big Cutfoot, Winnibigoshish and Deer lakes are giving up walleye in depths of 12 to 25 feet. Northern pike action has been good on Pokegama, Round, Sand, Jesse and Prairie lakes. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The south shore of Lake of the Woods offered a good walleye bite last week when high temperatures were 24 to 32 degrees. In addition to the traditional daytime bite, some anglers had success after dark on the structure, which is not typical. The morning and evening bites were good in 15 to 17 feet of water. Resorts and outfitters are maintaining the ice roads. The best approach is a jigging line and dead stick, with electronics helping immensely. Gold, glow, glow red and pink UV colors are best for the jigging spoons. Small ripping raps in bright and gold colors are also turning fish. Please note that an auger extension may be necessary in some areas where the ice is layered. Snowmobilers are encouraged to stay on the marked trails due to large chunks of ice off the trails. The Rainy River is giving up some nice walleye with an occasional sturgeon also being taken. The morning and evening bites have been best. Lots of fish houses have been placed along the snowmobile trail from Wheeler's Point to Baudette Bay. At the Northwest Angle & Islands area, walleye fishing has been consistent in 18 to 21 feet of water. The most effective method has been a dead stick with a good mix of walleye and sauger, along with an occasional jumbo perch being reported. Slender and tundra spoons have been producing fish. Anglers have also reported lots of nice northern pike with the largest measuring over 42 inches. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Park Rapids
Crappies are starting to head to deeper water. This transition from the shallow weeds is later than normal. While some continue to be pulled from 6 to 10 feet of water, the best fishing has been in the “deep holes” of most lakes. Northern pike remain active in the shallows (roughly 2 to 7 feet of water), probably due to the remaining weeds where oxygen levels remain good, one benefit of clear ice and little snow. Walleye are very scattered, coming from the shallows, deep water and everywhere in between. Search for walleye using small jigging spoons tipped with a small minnow head. Chances are that you’ll also take a perch or two if fishing the muddy areas. Fish deeper during the day, and shallower at night. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
Lake conditions continue to be very good throughout Otter Tail Lakes Country so getting around on the ice and being able to search for fish has been pretty easy. While the fish have become more finicky, anglers are catching fish. Since it’s late January and not early December, put your large lures away and re-spool your reels with lighter line. Look for panfish near the weeds and weedy flats in 8 to 12 feet of water. If they don’t seem active at the weeds, check out the holes and pits in the lake basins. Searching for deep panfish is usually easier than searching for weed-related fish because the deep fish show up well on electronics since they usually suspend quite a bit above the bottom. If you try and locate fish in and near shallow, weedy areas, you’ll need to check every hole you drill. For walleye, fish the classic structure and weedlines for the greatest concentrations of nice-sized walleye. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Willmar
Last weekend was a great weekend to be out ice fishing in the Willmar Lakes area, and nearly every lake was busy with anglers. Big Kandiyohi Lake gave up the most fish, with lots of perch along with some walleye reported. Anglers pulled crappies, sunnies and walleye from the aerated section of Foot Lake, and by the peninsula off of Robbins Island. Other popular lakes included Point, Nest, Green and Norway lakes. While the ice averages 18 to 24 inches on most area lakes, there are some ice heaves and other unstable areas. Two vehicles broke through the ice on Green Lake last weekend. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Lake Waconia
Roughly 9 inches of snow fell on Lake Waconia earlier this week. On the south side of Lake Waconia, roads have been plowed from the marina past Waconia Bay, on to Center Reef and feathering out to Pillsbury Reef. Another road travels to Cemetery Reef. Anglers are encouraged remain on the roads when traveling out. 952/442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org
Stillwater - St. Croix River
The St. Croix is giving up lots of crappies, and many of these fish have been true “slabs.” The river basins are been good places to fish, and the average depth for the basins is 34 to 37 feet of water so anglers will want to come prepared for deep water. The best technique is a bobber and fathead minnow, but actively jigging small minnows, minnow heads or wax worms has also worked well. There is open water near the Power Plant, Malileau Dam, and the Swing Bridge so anglers need to use extra caution near these areas. www.discoverstillwater.com
Southern Minnesota
Winona - Mississippi River/Lake Pepin
Anglers are pulling a variety of fish species from the Mississippi River. Lake Winona is giving up nice numbers of walleye and crappies. 507-452-0735; www.visitwinona.com
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Tuesday, Jan. 23, fisheries staff reported that some area streams and rivers were slightly off in color due to rain the day before. The water flow, however, was normal. The unusually warm temperatures that are forecasted for this weekend will make this an ideal time to hit the water! 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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