Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Nov. 7, 2019

Colorful fall brown trout pulled from a Lake Superior stream by fishing guide, Jarrid Houston

Few reports are available as anglers put away their boats for the season. Anglers that continue to venture out, however, are being rewarded for their efforts. Jig and minnow combinations remain the best bet for walleye and crappies.

The shorelines, bays and smaller lakes in many areas of the state are building ice. The forecast calls for unseasonably cold temperatures so ice should continue to build at a rapid pace over the next week or so. This weekend will most likely be the last weekend for open water fishing in much of northern Minnesota. It’s time to begin planning your next ice fishing adventure!

Please remember that it is extremely important to wear a life jacket when out on the water due to the risk of hypothermia. Learn more.

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

Kabetogama

A couple inches of fresh snow covers the ground and a skim of ice has started to form on most bays and shorelines. Tom Cod is almost frozen over and will likely stay that way until spring. Most of the smaller area lakes are also covered in ice. The main basin on Lake Kabetogama is open but it is usually the last to freeze over. With the cold nighttime temperatures and daytime temperatures staying below freezing in the foreseeable future, this may be an early ice season.

Anglers have been virtually non-existent, but those willing to brave the cold should experience excellent fishing. The whitefish netters had a good season but most have moved on. The spearing season begins Nov. 15 and there will probably be some usable ice. Still, spearers and anglers are encouraged to call ahead for the most current ice reports before traveling. Sandy Point will open the first week of December and they should offer great spearing opportunities. If you haven't experienced sitting over a spearing hole and watching a big pike move through, it is definitely worth a trip! 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Duluth - Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters

Stream anglers are having success in most Lake Superior tributary streams. The best tactic has been hardware in the form of small spinner baits or flat fish rigs. The coloring of the stream brown trout is spectacular this time of year!

The St. Louis River has been very quiet this fall. Expect an excellent early ice season bite – these fish will be hungry!

Some shore ice has developed on the inland waters, many of the shallower back bays are nearly iced over. Most of the public launch docks have been removed and parking lots are primarily empty. If you can get out, fishing success this time of year is often exceptional. Live baits remain the best tactic, and if you’ve put boat your away, there are plenty of productive shoreline spots.

Ice fishing is expected to begin on many area lakes before Thanksgiving! 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Fishing reports have been temporarily discontinued until anglers are able to safely access the ice. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On the south end of Lake of the Woods, good numbers of walleye and sauger continue to be found and should remain through ice-up. A jig and frozen shiner is the best means of catching these fish. Many of the smaller bays and some of the harbors now have a coating of ice. 

On the Rainy River, anglers continue to take nice numbers of walleye, as well as some trophy-size fish. There is still a strong current, and most of the walleye are coming from areas with current breaks in 7 to 16 feet of water. The best method for catching fish is to use a technique has been to use a 3/4 ounce to 1 ounce jig tipped with a minnow or plastic. The current remains strong and the water is high. The small back bays have a skim of ice. 

Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains good but few anglers are venturing out onto the water. Most of the fish are staged in their traditional fall spots. A jig and minnow combination remains the most effective. The fall muskie bite is reported to be great! 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Park Rapids

Most anglers have put away their boats and are concentrating on hunting. Before your first ice fishing outing, consider the following: If you’ve located a bunch of fish on your sonar and the fish are slamming your presentation but the fish just fall off before making it through the hole in the ice, check your hook since it may be dull or pointed in the wrong direction. Tiny ice baits often have very little “gap” so before you tie on a jig, make sure there is enough of a gap to catch a fish. If not, bend the hook point slightly up so it is no longer perfectly parallel to the hook shank. Just a small amount may change your catch rate dramatically! 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

Some of the small ponds and shallow basin lakes are already iced over. Expect ice to continue building rapidly since temperatures will remain cold for the next week or so. 

A few anglers ventured out earlier in the week and did very well with the muskie. Anglers planning to head out may find that some of the lakes are difficult to access due to ice build-up along the shorelines and access points. Pick your lake carefully as ponds and smaller shallow basin lakes are already locked up with ice. Before heading out, please call ahead to area bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions. This upcoming weekend will most likely be the last weekend for open water fishing. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Slushy, chunky ice is developing along the shorelines and in the harbors on the south and east edges of Lake Mille Lacs. To see the most current conditions, check out the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams.

The Minnesota DNR has announced new 2019/2020 winter fishing regulations for Mille Lacs Lake. As of Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, the possession limit for walleye is one. All walleye in possession must be from 21 to 23 inches in length, or over 28 inches in length. All walleye less than 21 inches or greater than 23 inches in length must be immediately released, except for one over 28 inches which is allowed in possession. These regulations apply to Mille Lacs Lake and all its tributaries from the mouth upstream to posted boundaries. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

The 3rd Annual Twin Cities Trout Unlimited Adult Holiday Fly Fishing Weekend will take place at Whitewater State Park, Nov. 22-24. Participants will enjoy 2 nights of lodging at Whitewater State Park’s modern group center, four meals, loads of fun, learning and camaraderie. Any equipment you might need will be supplied, including a fishing license. Get away, meet new people and have fun learning all about trout fishing and growing your skills. Reserve your spot through Eventbrite.   

Stillwater - St. Croix River

As of Nov. 1, the St. Croix River was giving up lots of walleye and sauger to anglers using jigs tipped with minnows.  Depths of 20 to 30 feet were best. The river levels were dropping to more normal levels. 651/351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

The Stream Trout Catch and Release Season remains open in specific state parks and city boundaries. Learn more.   

Maps of these areas are available under the “Area Highlights” tab on the Lanesboro Fisheries web page.  

Before you go, check out the DNR’s Stream Flow Report for the most current conditions, as well as the "Area Highlights" section of the Lanesboro Area Fisheries web page for stream maps. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

The shoreline on the southern end of Big Stone Lake at Ortonville was covered with a skim of ice this morning. Some of the bays, however, had completely frozen over. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com

Be sure to visit the Explore Minnesota Fishing & Hunting page for information to help you plan your next Minnesota fishing trip!

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