|
The walleye and northern pike season closes on inland lakes on Sunday, Feb. 25 at midnight. For the final weekend of walleye fishing on inland lakes, try minnows either jigged or under a bobber, especially at dawn and dusk.
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
Rainy Lake anglers have been fishing throughout Sand Bay, checking for patterns prior to this weekend’s Rainy Lake Sport Fishing Club Derby. The walleye seem to be responding best to live bait either under a bobber or jigged. The crappies also seem to prefer minnows, but have been less consistent. Check out the Ice Fishing Derby held Saturday, Feb. 24 at Sand Bay on Rainy Lake. With the Rainy Lake Ice Road now connecting the area of Black Bay and Cranberry Bay, anglers have been hitting the mouths of both bays targeting northern pike. Along the road, you can find some good structure for walleye in 25 to 30 feet of water, like the structure at the east end of Dryweed Island. For the most up-to-date information on Voyageurs’ ice and trail conditions check Voyageurs National Park’s website. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Kabetogama
The walleye bite has been decent on Lake Kabetogama. The warmer temperatures forecasted for the weekend were expected to enhance the bite and finish the 2017 walleye and northern pike season with a bang. Depths of 30 to 34 feet of water over the mud have been producing the most fish, and resorts are moving their fish houses to these areas in preparation for a fantastic late season perch bite. Anglers are also reporting fast and furious perch action, as well as some monster jumbo perch. Crappie fishing has been very good around Ash River. As of Feb. 20, the forecasted 3 to 7 inches of snow had turned into roughly one foot of snow. Area snowmobile trails were being groomed, resulting in excellent trail conditions. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Ely
Lake trout action has been good on area trout lakes. A nice number of trout have been taken in recent weeks and the action should continue right through the end of the season on April 1. Anglers having the most success are actively jigging spoons, soft plastic jigging lures or other soft paddle tail baits. These are active presentations and anglers must keep the bait moving, working the water column from the bottom to the top. Remember that some fish will chase the baits from the very bottom in depths of fifty feet or so, all the way to just below the ice. For the more laid back angler, a frozen smelt or live, small sucker fished right on the bottom under a tip-up or dead stick will do the trick too. Crappie anglers are venturing out more often now that the air temperatures have turned moderate. Anglers should stay mobile when fishing crappies and these more comfortable temperatures make “hole-hopping” much easier. Schools of crappies tend to move around more at this time of season. Some anglers are having moderate success with the sunfish when using small jigs tipped with minnow heads or wax worms. This action should continue to improve as the season progresses. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Anglers are starting to turn their attention to panfishing. On the inland lakes, look for suspended crappies and sunnies in the deeper basins. The mid-depth vegetation in 8 to 20 feet of water will also hold some panfish. Small tear drop jigs tipped with soft plastics are recommended, and should work well during the month of March. As temperatures warm, several types of bug hatches will begin, enhancing the panfish bite. Few anglers are venturing out onto the St. Louis River. Some anglers are casting from North Shore spots on Lake Superior with an occasional coho salmon being taken. The recent snowfall should be beneficial for the upcoming stream fishing season due to enhanced spring run-off. Please note that deep snow and slush have made travel on the ice very challenging. The plowed roads at many accesses have deep snow drifts and some ice roads have slush. It is important to keep a shovel, tow rope and charged cell phone in your vehicle. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
Recent snowfall has made access to area lakes somewhat challenging. The Grand Rapids area received more than 10 inches of snow on Monday, and another 5 to 7 inches is expected by the weekend. Resorts are plowing the ice roads on Winnibigosh, Bowstring and Splithand lakes, and travel should be fine for the weekend. Anglers report a strong panfish bite on Bowstring, Pokegama and Splithand lakes. A glowing tungsten jig is producing perch and crappies in 20 feet of water on Bowstring Lake during the day. Sunnies and crappies are being pulled from Splithand Lake. On Lake Winnibigosh, anglers report a good daytime panfish bite when using gold spoons. Walleye anglers continue to take fish from Pokegama, Winnibigosh, Bowstring and Wabana lakes. Stream trout remain active in Taylor Lake south of Hill City, and in Kremer and Tioga Pit lakes in the Grand Rapids area. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods anglers are putting fish in the pail. Some walleye are suspended as much as 10 feet below the ice, making electronics very helpful. Most resorts have placed their houses over 30 to 32 feet of water. More sauger are coming from the deep mud, with the walleye found a bit shallower. The reefs to the west are giving up walleye and a few perch. Rattle and flutter spoons are producing well, especially in gold, pink and other glow colors. Northern pike are active in shallow waters. Auger extensions are generally needed since the ice is more than 3 feet thick in most areas. Snowmobile riders are asked to stay on the marked trails since large chunks of ice are scattered off the trails. Please note that the fish houses are allowed to be left on Lake of the Woods through March 31, and the walleye season remains open through April 14. The Rainy River is giving up some larger walleye during morning and evening hours, with an occasional sturgeon also being taken. At the Northwest Angle & Islands Area, fishing has been the most productive in 20 to 24 feet of water, with limits of walleye and sauger being taken. The fish have been most active early and late in the day, and the bite has been excellent for anglers using jigging spoons, jigging rapalas or rattle baits. The use of electronics continues to be very helpful. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
The Bemidji area received more than 20 inches of snow earlier this week and travel on area lakes is virtually impossible except by snowmobile. A few roads have been plowed on Lake Bemidji but anglers cannot deviate from this roads, even with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Prior to the heavy snow, the walleye bite has picked up on Lake Bemidji with anglers doing well using jigging spoons and minnow heads in 18 to 32 feet of water. Perch were often mixed in with the walleye. The panfish bite should pick-up as we move into the month of March. The perch bite was going good in those same areas as walleye. If we don’t get a lot more snow over this next week the snow we have should settle a bit and might make vehicle traffic more doable. The panfish bite should really pick-up once March arrives. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Walker - Leech Lake
Fishing has been slow, but the recent more stable weather patterns should bode well for fishing this weekend. Currently, sunnies and crappies are coming out of the deeper weeds in 15 to 20 feet of water during afternoon and evening hours. For the most sunfish, use waxworms. When a school of crappies moves through in the evenings, drop a crappie minnow. Pink, white and black have been good colors. A few walleye are being taken late in the evening. The best presentations are subtle -- let the minnows do the work. Concentrate on 20 feet of water. Plan to attend the International Eelpout Festival taking place Feb. 23 to 26 on Leech Lake – this is an experience not to be missed! 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com
Detroit Lakes
The panfish bite remains the most consistent on area lakes. Look for crappies to start moving from basin areas to the weeds edges in the next week or so. The best walleye bite is occurring early in the morning and just before dark. For northern pike, hit the shallower flats near healthy weed areas. Anglers are advised to stay on the plowed ice roads due to recent heavy snowfall and drifting. Sled travel is great just about everywhere. Please note that the walleye and northern pike season closes on the inland lakes on February 28. Also, new 2018 fishing licenses will be necessary as of March 1. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
There has been an increase in fish activity this week, with panfish and northern pike were easier to catch, and more walleye movement being observed. Snow has fallen throughout the Otter Tail Lakes Country, so it is difficult to say if the fish will remain active or turn lethargic in the darkened waters under the ice. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Willmar
Fishing has been good, and lots of anglers ventured out on the ice last weekend. Foot Lake proved has been the most popular, with many ice houses scattered around. The daytime bite was best for crappies and sunnies, but a few small walleye were also taken. Some anglers had success with the walleye and crappies on Eagle Lake. Northern pike anglers did well on Florida and Andrew lakes. Some lakes are starting to open up again around the aeriation points so anglers must use extreme caution is these areas. Otherwise, overall ice thickness averages between 24 to 30 inches. Please remember that the walleye, northern pike and largemouth bass season will close Sunday, Feb. 25 at midnight. And, 2018 fishing licenses will be required starting March 1. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Roughly 5 to 8 inches of fresh snow has fallen in the Lake Mille Lacs area since Sunday. Ice roads have been plowed and vehicles are able to get around. Anglers are eager for the Perch Extravaganza held this Saturday, Feb. 24 at Nitti's Hunter's Point Resort, with lots of fun, family activities, games, prizes, and the craziest hat contest! 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Saturday, Feb. 17, fisheries staff reported that most Whitewater streams and rivers were clear with a normal water flow. Trout anglers are eager for the upcoming Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo at Hamline University in St. Paul, March 16-18. This expo is the largest fly fishing event in Minnesota with fly shops, guides, top brands, outfitters and non-profits presenting the newest and best in the world of fly fishing. Anglers will also enjoy over three dozen free programs and seminars, as well as free casting instruction. 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.
Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
|
