Walleye pulled from Lake Winnibigoshish by Grant Prokop from Thousand Lakes Sporting Goods; photo courtesy of www.VisitGrandRapids.com
While the ice remains thick on most lakes, anglers are advised that the recent warm temperatures have affected ice conditions. According to the Minnesota DNR, ice that has thawed and refrozen is only half as strong as new ice. The DNR recommends checking the ice every foot or two when walking out, and if the ice is unstable or slushy near shore, don’t head 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.
The walleye and northern pike season has closed on most inland lakes until the 2018/2019 Minnesota Fishing Opener on May 12. While some anglers think the ice fishing season has ended, the month of March can offer some of the best ice fishing of the winter and the most pleasant weather conditions!
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
While the walleye season has closed on inland waters, the season remains open until April 14 on border waters such as Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. Northern pike and smallmouth bass also remain open. In addition, the catch-and-release season on the Rainy River is open until April 23 -- even a small one could be the biggest fish you'll ever catch! 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
Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Anglers fishing the inland lakes finding suspended panfish over the deeper. Anglers are having success when drilling holes over the steeper breaks, and checking holes for active fish with electronics. Tungsten jigs have been the best means of getting the presentation down to the bottom quickly. Please remember that panfish are very vulnerable this time of year, so please handle them quickly and gently. Some area lakes may require an auger extension, but most lakes near Duluth and to the south have not needed one. There is a lot of snow over a slushy crust which is making travel conditions difficult. Trucks and ATV's are not recommended, but snowmobiles or tracked ATVs should work well. The boat launches have lots of standing water and slush so anglers should use caution in these areas. Overall, fishing on the St. Louis River has been limited to the back bays. The best approach has been a dead stick and wax worm. It seems jigging only deters the fish. Travel conditions are tough, so be prepared. Lake Superior open water fishing is picking up. Anglers having the most success are long-casting spoons and weighted bobbers with looper. This will get more popular in the days to come. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
The walleye and northern pike season came to an end with anglers battling deep snow and high winds, but great panfishing and trout action can still be found throughout the Grand Rapids area. Now that some of the snow has melted it is easier to get around on some area lakes. Plenty of ice remains and an auger extension is necessary on many area lakes. Bluegills are active on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux lakes, especially at the shoreline breaks and flats near deep water. Big and Little Splithand lakes are also a good choice, but as with Big Bass Lake, there is a 5 fish limit. Euro larvae or wax worms on a VMC tungsten jig have been best. Bonus crappies are also being reported but anglers will want to check for any special regulations for crappies based upon which lake is being fished. Perch fishing has been good on Bowstring, Sand, and Winnibigosh lakes, especially at the scattered rock and weed beds near deep water. The perch will start moving shallower as spring approaches. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
While the walleye season has closed on inland waters, the season remains open until April 14 on border waters such as the Lake of the Woods. The northern pike season is open all year. Stable weather conditions have improved the bite. Most fish houses have been placed over 24 to 33 feet of water, soon to move shallower. Smaller presentations are working well when tipped with a shiner minnow or chub head. Electronics remain very helpful. Northern pike fishing continues to heat up. Bring an auger extension is you are not working with a resort since there is more than 4 feet of ice in most areas. Snowmobilers should stay on the marked trails since large ice chunks are scattered off the trails. The Rainy River is giving up some bigger walleye during morning and evening hours, with an occasional sturgeon also being taken. While there is still a lot of ice, anglers are looking forward to the spring open river walleye bite. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, lots of walleye are being pulled from 18 to 25 feet of water. The best presentation has been a white, gold or U.V. jigging spoon when the fish are active. When activity slows, try a dead stick 8 to 10 inches off the bottom. Numerous giant northern pike have been reported this week, all caught on walleye spoons! The snowmobile trails are still being groomed and they are in great condition overall. Still, the warmer temperatures are exposing ice chunks off the trails and creating heaves which riders must avoid, especially the heave near Knight Island. Please travel cautiously off the marked trails. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
On Lake Winnibigoshish, snowmobiles and ATVs with tracks continue to be the best means of transportation due to deep snow. Some resorts have plowed roads, but travel off these roads is difficult. Before traveling out, anglers should check with the resorts to see if they allow the public to use their roads to access the lake. The perch reports have been best off Raven’s Point in 22 to 24 feet of water, with lots of nice fish being reported. While a bit more sorting will be needed, perch are also are hitting in 17 to 20 feet of water at Center Reef, and in 15 to 20 feet at Moses Bar. www.lakewinnie.net
Park Rapids
Ice fishing has been great on many area lakes, and it should only get better up until the ice melts. Some anglers quit until the open water season begins, but this is when the perch, crappies and monster bluegills really come on strong. Bluegill anglers should expect a great “night bite” on the shallow, muddy lakes. As the sun sets, the bottom of such muddy lakes come alive with large bluegills and crappies in depths of 15 to 25 feet of water. The fish can bite all night long, so bring along a light source. Glow jigs tipped with a wax worm will out-produce a minnow almost every time. Just last week, the bluegill action was excellent from 7pm until 11:30pm, with some crappies mixed in. The fish were right on the bottom since that’s where they hide from the northern pike when it’s dark. Keep your bait within 12 inches of the bottom, only raising it a bit every once in a while. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
The panfish are still biting but not as fast and furious. Anglers are finding them in the same locations as last week. Expect the bite to continually improve as temperatures warm. For now, give tullibee fishing a try -- they're a lot of fun and very abundant in lakes throughout Otter Tail Country. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Roads are open to the Tullibee Hole on the southeast edge of Lake Mille Lacs, and to Upper Twin for perch. More will open before the weekend to the Graveyard, Gull Reef, and possibly Popes Point. There are spots where wheel houses can be placed, but once temperatures warm this weekend there will probably be some standing water. If you’re hoping to get one last trip.in this season with your wheelhouse, the next week or two will be the time to do it. 320-676-9972; www.millelacs.com
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Thursday, March 8, fisheries staff report that all 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.
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