Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Jan. 25, 2019

Ashley Brubaker spears a 34-inch northern pike on Jan. 20; photo courtesy of VisitGrandRapids.com

Bitter cold temperatures are expected this week and weekend. Anglers are encouraged to bring their portable fish houses for warmth and to stay mobile.

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

Ely Area Lakes & Streams

The ice conditions have improved due to below-zero temperatures. Many lakes have up to fourteen inches of ice, and previously slushy areas are now frozen. Overall, anglers are moving around with ease when traveling by sled and four wheeler. Some roads have been plowed out from the access points which should allow access to additional fishing hot spots. Trout fishing has dominated the scene since it's opening on Jan. 12. Lake trout have been cooperating, with some fish in the 5 to 8 pound range being reported. Actively jigging small vibrating lures, white tubes and jigging raps is producing fish, as are smelt and suckers fished on the bottom under a tip-up. Stream trout have been very active, with a few anglers taking limits of really nice rainbows and splake. Small jigging lures such as forage minnows and small spoons have turned some of the larger fish, while small jigs tipped with wax worms, spikes and “mousies” have resulted in better numbers. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Duluth - Lake Superior and Inland Waters

Shelters have been necessary due to the brutally cold temperatures and strong winds. The fish have been less apt to bite, and staying mobile is a challenge. The best advice is to downsize. Inland lake fishing has been hit and miss. The best bite has been dusk and dawn. Some panfish are coming off the deeper transition areas on small forage minnows tipped with spikes. Pay attention to your electronics -- if you’re marking fish and they abruptly disappear, a predator fish is likely nearby. Set lines are taking a few northern pike, bass and walleye from 15 to 25 foot depths. Few anglers are fishing the St. Louis River. Walleye can be found on the flats during low light hours. Anglers having the most success are using smaller spoons and a less aggressive presentation. Dead sticks are taking a few fish as well. Sturgeon have been active lately so if you mark something large that won’t elevate it’s likely a sturgeon. Lake Superior has several sheets of ice floating around, and those in the Twin Ports area are some of the most dangerous on the lake. Please do not venture out onto the ice in the Twin Ports area. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids Area Lakes

More than half a foot of snow fell throughout the Grand Rapids area earlier this week and the entire area is a sight to behold. Travel on the lakes has improved and snowmobiles and four-wheelers are getting around with ease, as are vehicles traveling roads plowed by area resorts. Ice fishing remains good for several species. One of the almost ancient methods for catching northern pike, spearing, is often overlooked. A decoy consisting of a live minnow or artificial swimming-style decoy is dropped through a hole in a dark ice house and anglers can watch as northern pike come in to check out the decoy. Once in sight, the angler quickly throws a spear to catch the northern. This tradition has been passed down from generation to generation. Please note that a special license is required to spear. Anglers are also enjoying lots of lake trout action. 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 32 foot depths during the day, and from 15 to 22 feet of water during morning and evening hours. Jigging one line with a small to medium-sized jigging spoon and minnow, and dead-sticking another with a lively minnow under a bobber has been best. Ice continues to build, 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.  There are still some areas on the Rainy River with questionable ice, especially at the international bridge at Baudette. 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. Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers are taking a nice mix of walleye and sauger from 26 to 29 feet of water. Ripping raps and rattle baits are helpful to draw fish in when the bite slows. Pink and white remain the preferred colors. The key is to work these baits aggressively to attract fish, then to use a more subtle presentation when fish appear on the electronic. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

Perch action has slowed on Lake Winnibigoshish due to the recent cold temperatures. Anglers are taking some northern pike and walleye from 20 to 24 foot depths. The key has been to stay mobile and work the structure. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker - Leech Lake

Despite recent weather fronts, fishing remains steady on Leech Lake. Look to the north end of Walker Bay for great perch action throughout the day, with walleye being taken during low light periods. Once you locate perch, you should be to find walleye in the same area later in the evening. Look to the humps on the south side of Leech Lake for walleye and an occasional eelpout. The most active fish have been coming in on jigging spoons, especially those that either resemble perch or are colored gold and green. When the fish turn sluggish, use a simple red, green or white hook tipped with a rainbow minnow set 6 to 12 feet off the bottom. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Hackensack Area Lakes

Travel is much easier now that the slush pockets have frozen and the ice is covered in 8 to 10 inches of snow. Most anglers are fishing for panfish. Some of the more popular lakes include Birch, Mule, Pleasant, Stony and some of the smaller area lakes. Bluegill have been the most active during late morning hours, and some windows in the afternoon. The key is to drill a lot of holes over 14 to 20 foot depths, and “hole hop” until you find them. The crappie action has been pretty consistent in the evening. Sometimes it pays off to head out a bit earlier since some lakes have had some early biters. Once a school comes through, there’s a fairly short window of time to catch them. Depths of 18 to 25 feet off the prominent structure have been best. Tungsten jigs are helpful to get your presentation to the bottom. 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com  

Park Rapids

Thick ice and good fishing can be found throughout the Park Rapids area. Crappie fishing has been good with many lakes providing action all day long. The best depths range from 12 to 25 feet depending on the lake. The best presentation has been a crappie minnow on a plain #6 hook under a bobber. During lowlight periods, also try a spike or wax worm on a small tungsten or lead glow. Walleye anglers are having success with gold and silver ¼ ounce jigging spoons. Northern pike are slamming shiner minnows suspended roughly 2 feet off the bottom in 9 to 12 feet of water. Areas with weeds are ideal for an all-day bite. For the most action, hook the minnow on a #2 chartreuse hook for added attraction. Bluegills can still be found in large numbers at the weed flats near deep water (but connected to shore) in 7 to 12 feet of water. A small puppet minnow will attract and catch the largest bluegills. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes Area Lakes

The Detroit Lakes area received another 6 inches of snow earlier this week. By the weekend, groomed trails and plowed roads will make travel to most fishing locations easy. Sled travel is recommended for anyone planning to travel off trail. The daytime bite could improve on lakes with very clear water due to the additional snow cover. Although walleye numbers are down, some quality fish continue to be pulled from deeper waters during low light hours. For the most walleye, try jigging spoons and minnow heads on Big Detroit, Big Cormorant, Melissa and Pelican lakes. Panfish anglers report the best bite, especially on Little Detroit, Leif, Big Floyd, and Height of Land. While some crappies are sunnies remain at the weeds, the greatest numbers and largest fish are coming from the soft bottom basin areas in 22 to 35 feet of water in the deeper lakes, and from the deepest holes in the shallow basin lakes. Northern pike are still active at the outside edges of the weed lines. For the most pike action, use larger minnows on tip ups, or jig high action spoons. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com 

Central Region

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Walleye fishing remains strong on Lake Mille Lacs. Depths of 28 to 32 feet of water on the gravel and mud are producing the most fish – please remember to reel fish in slowly to lessen fish-kill. Green and pink UV color remain best for spoons. Pink and glow hooks are great for set lines. Shiners are best for walleye but have become difficult to find. If necessary, small 3- to 4-inch suckers will work as well. This is the time of year to down-size the jigging spoons and get away from the crowds. Some nice northern pike are being taken on regular hook and line set-ups, as well as spearing. Resorts are getting everything prepared for the weekend before the wind and deep freeze takes hold. Once the gusts slow down late Thursday and Friday, the plows will head out again to spruce things up. More reasonable temperatures should arrive Saturday. The deeper water in 28-32ft on the gravel and mud is producing better for us. Just remember please take it slow when reeling or setting the hook on rattle reels from those depths. Green and pink UV are still the top colors for spoons. Plain hooks in pink and glow are great for set lines. It’s the time of year to get more natural with presentations and down-size the jigging spoons and get away from the crowds. Check out Tony Roach’s video to learn more about fishing on Lake Mille Lacs in mid-January. Also check out the Lake Mille Lacs webcams to view lake activity. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar

Anglers report various species of fish biting on many area lakes. Diamond Lake is giving up good numbers of 13 inch crappies during morning and evening hours. Eagle and Florida lakes are producing northern pike. Walleye anglers are having the most success on Long, Wakanda, Kasota, Lillian, Minnetaga, Willmar and Foot lakes. Active perch can be found on Big Kandiyohi Lake. Crappie minnows and shiners remain the bait of choice. Most area lakes have at least 15 to 17 inches of ice. 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. Learn more about fishing opportunities within the Three Rivers Park District.

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

Anglers are taking nice walleye and crappies from Fountain Lake. 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 

Subscribe here to receive any or all of Explore Minnesota Tourism's updates by email.

Be sure to visit the Deals section of ExploreMinnesota.com to learn of the latest discounts and specials!

Have something else in mind?
Our expert travel counselors can help!