Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Jan. 18, 2019

Great crappie action inside a cozy fish house; photo courtesy of Joe Scegura Guide Service

Anglers continue to report good ice fishing action. Many anglers are excited for the cold temperatures this weekend which should help firm up areas with slush and build more ice. Anglers are encouraged to stay on maintained ice roads and trails, and check ice conditions often. Anyone planning to head out should first consult with a local bait shop, resort and/or guide service for the most current ice conditions.

Please take a moment to review the DNR's Ice Safety web page and Ice Thickness Guidelines web page.

For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Walleye anglers continue to favor the Birch Point area in Sand Bay on Rainy Lake. Use a plain hook and bobber with live bait, but also try jigging since both methods are working well, especially in the morning. The walleye are hovering in roughly 30 feet of water. Crappies can be found in depths of 20 to 25 feet. More anglers have been able to access the more remote areas due to additional trail grooming. Black Bay is a good spot to look for crappie and some large northern pike. The Voyageurs National Park Service has staked the Green Trail from Franks Bay through to Gold Portage, and marked the known pressure ridges. During the partial federal shutdown, the Voyageurs National Park Association (the park’s official nonprofit partner) is providing funding assistance to allow Voyageurs National Park staff to groom cross-country ski trails and the Green Trail (the only safe marked snowmobile trail open in the park at this time). This has made accessibility easier and safer - thanks VNPA! The Rainy Lake Visitor Center will be open over the next few weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing people with information on safe travel routes. The Visitor Center parking lot is available for snowmobilers needing a place to park their vehicles and trailers. If ice conditions allow, the Black Bay Trails will be opened and skiers will only be able to access the trail network by skiing across the frozen surface of Black Bay to the trail head. There will also be limited opportunities to borrow skis and snowshoes. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

A good perch bite is being reported over the mud in 30 feet of water on Lake Kabetogama, but for the most consistent bite, stick to soft bottom areas in depths greater than 28 feet. For a decent early morning and evening bite, move to the edges of the reefs. A shiner under a bobber is working well some days, and a jigging rap or buckshot spoon tipped with a minnow head is working well on other days. Be prepared to change things up if what you are presenting isn’t producing. Poor ice conditions remain throughout the Lake Kabetogama area, and fishing has been inconsistent due to numerous weather fronts. Anglers and snowmobilers have been limited to snow-packed areas. Anglers are hoping that the extremely cold temperatures this weekend will firm up the slushy areas and build more ice. And everyone is crossing their fingers that the government shutdown will come to end and staff can finally build an ice road. Please note that the snowmobile trails beyond Voyageurs National Park are in excellent condition and being groomed regularly. Consider attending the Arrowhead Ultra 135 on Jan. 28. This 135-mile winter bike, ski or run travels the scenic Arrowhead State Trail from International Falls to Fortune Bay in Tower, MN. It is known to be one of the hardest races in the world! Gateway General is the first checkpoint so check it out and cheer on the brave participants from all over the world competing in this amazing race! 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely Area Lakes & Streams

To begin, anglers are asked to please use caution when heading out onto the ice. Although ice conditions have improved over the last couple of weeks, there are still areas of thin ice and slush. Stream trout fishing was excellent for many anglers last weekend. Flashy spoons, hair jigs and crappie tubes accounted for the majority of trout pulled through the ice. Lures tipped with wax worms seemed to out-produce salted minnows. Rainbows were found roughly 10 to 15 feet below the ice. Brookies and splake were caught around the main lake points, downed trees and large shallow flats. Lake trout fishing was slow for some, but good for others. Anglers that had the most success fished red and white tubes, white tubes and disco tumblers in 30 to 50 foot depths, around the neck down areas and at the deep humps. Interest in walleye plummeted with the trout opener. Anglers that did head out for walleye reported slow but steady action in the evening, followed by a second flurry of activity around 8 p.m. Red glowing jigs tipped with a shiner or rainbow minnow was best. Panfish interest also declined, but a handful of anglers did catch some large sunfish on small jigging raps tipped with waxies at the shallow weed beds. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Duluth - Lake Superior and Inland Waters

Many anglers are eager for this weekend’s cold temperatures since they will help build ice. Still, the old saying "ice is never safe" should always be in the back of our minds. So, if ever in doubt, don’t go out! The inland lakes have offered the most consistent bite. Walleye action has slowed somewhat, but the panfish remain very active. Anglers also report lots of northern pike and bass action at the weed edges. Tungsten jigs tipped with soft plastics have been the best presentation, and “hole-hopping” has led to the most success. Some nice-size crappies are moving towards the deeper basins. Tip-ups with shiners or suckers are also turning fish. If you plan to release some fish, please bring them up slowly. Trout are being taken by anglers fishing deep holes with flashy spoons and minnow heads. On the St. Louis River, decent ice can be found in areas with little to no current. The shipping season has ended so ice-building should take off. Machine travel is okay at time but anglers need to use caution and check the ice often. Some walleye are biting during low light hours. Spoons tipped with whole minnows have been producing a few fish, along with some perch and northern pike. Anglers also report an occasional burbot. For the most action, try to spread out and fish areas that have receive little to no fishing pressure. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids Area Lakes

The colder temperatures have caused areas with slush, cracks and heaves to solidify, making travel much easier. Perch fishing remains strong and consistent. For the most perch, use a soft tip rod that will detect the slightest bite. Attach a small jig or spoon with euro larvae, wax worms or a small minnow head, and don’t be surprised if the presentation doesn’t drop far before you get a bite. This is especially true when you’ve located a school of hungry perch. Drilling several holes in one area will help you stay on the fish. Good electronics and staying mobile can be the best advice of all. The rock piles, gravel bars and edges of weeds near deep water are all good locations, and depths of 12 to 18 feet are good starting points. Anglers report that a variety of other species are often mixed in with the perch. Area lakes to consider for great perch action include Big Winnie, Bowstring, Pokegama, Cutfoot and Round. 800-355-9740; www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On the south end of Lake of the Woods, anglers continue to catch good numbers of walleye and sauger. Most of the fish are coming from 28 to 31 foot depths during the day, and from 15 to 22 feet of water along the shoreline areas during morning and evening hours.  Jigging one line, and deadsticking another with a lively minnow has been best.  A plain hook and minnow under a bobber works well. Some anglers are adding noise and flash to draw fish in. Electronics have been very helpful since some of the larger fish have been suspended.  Overall, the ice continues to grow, resort ice roads are open to various size rigs, and the snowmobile trails on the lake have been staked from the south shore up to the Northwest Angle.  The Rainy River has many areas with questionable ice due to a higher than normal current.  Anglers are advised to work through a local resort to locate the safest ice. The walleye bite has been best during morning and evening hours. Fishing remains consistently strong on the Minnesota side of the Northwest Angle and Islands Area. Many species have been quick to bite so anglers are leaving with a mixed bag of fish by the end of the day. In addition to great walleye action, anglers report multiple 40-plus inch northern pike, many nice perch, and even a lake trout or two. The best location has been the gravel bottom areas surrounded by mud, especially in depths of 22 to 24 feet of water. Due to heavy snow cover, be sure to charge your glow tackle ahead of time. Pink, white and gold colors have been very effective on sunny days. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

Perch reports have been best on the 14 to 16 foot sand flats east of Horseshoe Bar and west of Bena Bar on Lake Winnibigoshish. The tops and edges of most of the main lake humps are producing some walleye, but the majority of walleye are coming off the sand. Northern pike have been active throughout the lake, and typically mixed in with the walleye and perch.  www.lakewinnie.net

Hackensack Area Lakes

Overall, jumbo perch and panfish offer the best fishing action. On Leech Lake, anglers are finding lots of nice perch throughout the lake, and especially in Walker Bay and Agency Bay. Good reports are also coming from Woman Lake. Most of the perch are coming from depths of 10 to 16 feet on minnow heads. Anglers looking for jumbos, however, will want to use larger minnows like whole fatheads. Many area lakes are giving up lots of nice bluegill. Birch Lake is always a great option and it has been easy to access. Walleye fishing has been fairly slow. Most diehard anglers are catching a fish or two at night, but the window of action is short. Slush limited access to many lakes last weekend. The current cold temperatures should improve travel conditions this weekend. 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com  

Park Rapids

Northern Pike fishing has been good throughout the Park Rapids area. Many anglers are having success when using a tip-up rigged with #2 chartreuse hook and tipped with a hot dog (hooked once sideways)!  The key is to suspend this presentation about 2 to 3 feet off the bottom in 9 to 12 foot depths. Shiner and sucker minnows will also produce pike. Walleye anglers are taking walleye and pike when using a jigging spoon tipped with a small minnow head fished at the mid- to deep sunken islands in 20 to 30 feet of water. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Area Lakes

The ice is covered in up to 14 inches of hard snow, and cold temperatures have returned. Most anglers are enjoying the comfort of permanent ice fishing shacks. Fishing has been good in certain areas. Walleye can now be found at the mid-lake humps and reefs. On the large area lakes such as Otter Tail, fishing has been best at areas with structure such as the gravel, and rock/sand to mud transitions. These spots are easily found by interpreting the screen on an old-fashioned flasher. Downsizing bait and lures can be extremely effective this time of year since a fish’s metabolism slows down considerably. Morning and evening hours remain the best times to fish. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Fishing was great over the weekend on Lake Mille Lacs. Most resorts report roughly 16 inches of ice with greater amounts on the plowed ice roads. Resorts are plowing roads out further, along with extra driveways. This weekend’s cold temperatures may cause cracks to develop. Please take it slow and travel during daylight hours. Currently, walleye anglers are having lots of success, especially when using orange or pink UV rattle spoons or tumbler spoons. Tullibee are also biting, with one fish measuring nearly 29 inches long! Check out the video posted Jan. 16 by Hawthorne’s Guide Service to learn more! Also, check out the Lake Mille Lacs webcams to view lake activity. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar

On average, the ice is 16 inches thick on most area lakes, and it continues to grow with the current cold temperatures. Anglers continue to pull crappies and walleye from Willmar and Foot lakes during evening hours. Northern pike and perch are coming from Eagle Lake. Crappie minnows are the bait of choice when searching for crappie and perch. For trophy walleye, use shiners. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com  

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

On Saturday, Feb. 2, attend the Northern Pike Palooza on Medicine Lake at French Regional Park in Plymouth. Northern pike are exciting fish to pull through a hole in the ice. Visit the dark house and coax this amazing in with a decoy or on a tip up. Reservations required.

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country trout streams

As of Jan. 11, many area streams and rivers were clear with a normal water flow. Check out the "Area Highlights" section on the Lanesboro Area Fisheries web page for stream maps for areas currently open to catch-and-release trout fishing. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Albert Lea Area Lakes

The 72nd Annual Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener will be held May 9-12, 2019 on Fountain Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Albert Lea area. Located about 75 minutes south of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Albert Lea is nestled between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes. There are 13 lakes in the area, many offering fishing, boating, kayaking and canoeing. In the heart of the city, the 521-acre Fountain Lake features several great fishing bays and is home to 20 species of fish, including largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, crappie, catfish and yellow perch. 800-345-8414; www.albertleatourism.org 

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