Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Dec. 12, 2019

Ice fishing early in the season / Alister Olson

This week’s sub-zero temperatures have caused ice to build quickly, especially on lakes not covered with a heavy layer of snow.

Before heading out, anglers should consult with a local bait shop, resort or guide service for the most current ice conditions. Anyone that decides to head out must use extreme caution and check ice thickness often since ice thickness can vary greatly.  

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

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

Snowmobiles and ATVs are getting out on Rainy Lake and enjoying the chance to fish with portable gear. The frigid weather has certainly been good for building ice, but it’s important to check the ice frequently. With that said, some anglers are having success fishing for walleye and large northern pike around Black Bay. Jigging with live bait just above the bottom of the lake is working best. To view the most current conditions within Voyageurs National Park, visit their Winter Ice and Trail Conditions page. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Recent snowstorms have not hit Lake Kabetogama and the surrounding area so the cold temperatures have created good ice throughout the area. In fact, fish houses are popping up in the popular fishing areas with some decent reports coming in. Spear fishing is still going strong with numerous reports of fish in the 15-20 pound range. Common sense is still a priority as ice thickness varies greatly. Most anglers report 6-10 inches of ice, but there have been a few cracks opening up so check ice often. Travel has been limited to snowmobiles and 4-wheelers. Anglers are encouraged to call ahead for the most recent ice conditions and to learn of areas to avoid.

The snowmobile trails are a work in progress as there are still wet areas throughout the trail system. Again, cold temperatures and the lack of snow should help the wet areas to freeze quickly. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Silver Bay

Tettegouche State Park, located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, will offer a program on how to build an ice fishing rod on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 & 15. Starting with a rod blank, thread and line guides, you’ll build yourself a quality ice fishing rod. Cost is $30. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required for this two day program. Learn more!

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

The inland lakes in and around Duluth are packed with heavy snow, and most shoreline areas are covered with slush. Ice conditions vary, but most of the small to medium sized lakes have anywhere from 4-12 inches of ice. Due to the weight of the snow, anglers should expect to be surrounded by water after drilling a hole through the ice. Be sure to wear a comfortable pair of insulated rubber boots so your feet stay dry. The best walleye and northern pike bite remains near shore. Northern pike continue to be pulled from the shallow weed edges during the day. Panfish anglers will want to work the 10-20 foot drop-offs near vegetation. The most effective baits have been smaller soft plastics tipped on a small tear drop jig. 

A layer of ice has developed on the St. Louis River. The harbor areas have a little over 2 inches of ice. With shipping season still in full force, this ice is dangerous. Anglers should allow more time before venturing out. Remember, any body of water with current is especially dangerous.

Please check with local anglers, bait shops, guides and resorts for the most current conditions, and always check ice conditions when heading out. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Ice fishing has begun in the Grand Rapids area and anglers are having lots of success! Still, the ice continues to grow so anglers must proceed with caution. Be sure to bring along the proper safety gear and tools.

The crappies and bluegill have been actively feeding during morning and evening hours with some steady action during midday periods. Fishing has been the most productive in the shallower bays adjacent deep water. Most of the panfish have been holding in depths of 16-22 feet of water.  Crappie minnows and wax worms on tungsten jigs have been producing the most fish.

Walleye are also biting well in the mornings and evenings. Anglers are having success using glow flutter spoons tipped with fathead minnows in 16-20 feet of water on the humps, flats and points.

Northern pike are being pulled from the shallow weed edges in 6-16 feet of water when using sucker minnows on tip-ups. Some anglers are also doing well in these areas when jigging hard baits such as rippin’ raps, jigging spoons and airplane jigs. Erratic jigging techniques and lively minnows have often made a big difference in getting the fish to bite. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Ice fishing has begun on the south end of Lake of the Woods! Many resorts have already set out their fish houses, but some continue to wait. This week’s sub- zero temperatures should cause ice to build rapidly, especially with very little snow on the ice. Some ice roads are open to ATV and snowmobile traffic. Fishing has been excellent, with most anglers finding walleye and sauger in depths of 21-26 feet. The bite is shallow (18-20 feet) during morning and evenings. The typical set-up of jigging one line and dead-sticking another is working well. Good numbers of fish, along with some trophy-sized fish, are being reported. Anglers are also taking eelpout, perch, tullibee, sturgeon and an occasional pike. 

Most of the Rainy River is frozen over but there are some random spots with open water. There is no traffic on the river at this time while ice continues to form. Extra caution is necessary on the river due to high current levels this year. 

And up at the Northwest Angle, some resorts have set out a few fish houses out. Initial reports indicate that the walleye bite is excellent! Some areas still need more time due to high current levels. The majority of ice traffic is from snowmobiles. Anglers need to stick to resort-marked trails. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Most small to medium lakes have 8-10 inches of ice. A layer of slush covers some of the lakes. Some anglers are walking out and using portables on the south end of Lake Bemidji, with a few walleye being taken early and late in the day. Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads in 12-18 feet of water are working well. Crappies are being pulled from the deep basins of area lakes. Electronics are very helpful as some of those fish are suspended while others are right to near the bottom. Slip bobbers and small minnows, as well as small jigs tipped with plastics or wax worms are producing the most crappies.

Currently, no one is fishing the north end of the lake. Below zero temperatures may cause that to change by this weekend. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Park Rapids

Ice fishing in the Park Rapids area is in full swing. The ice varies in thickness, ranging from 3-7 inches. There is a thick layer of snow on top of the ice which acts like an insulator so ice forms more slowly. Anglers must use extreme caution. Please remember that ice is never 100% safe. 

Anglers that carefully check the ice as they go report that fishing just a short walk from shore has been great. Northern pike roaming the shallow weed beds are responding well to tip-ups with a lively sucker minnow suspended 2-3 feet off the bottom. Sunfish and crappies are coming from the same areas, where a small white ice jig tipped with a waxworm or spike is turning lots of panfish. Depths of 6-10 feet have been best. Walleye can be found on the deep weed edges in 13-20 foot depths. A simple jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head has been productive. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

The Detroit Lakes area received another 4-6” of snow this last week. Fortunately, it was not wet and heavy like the post-Thanksgiving storm. The severe cold front that started Monday and will last until the weekend will help build ice, even with the insulating snow cover on top. Areas with slush should freeze over following multiple days of below-zero temperatures. Anglers are advised to stick to foot, sled and 4-wheeler travel for at least another week. No roads will be plowed on area lakes until there is over a foot of ice. Some good crappie and bluegill action is being reported by the few anglers venturing out. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Brainerd Area Lakes

Additional snow has resulted in areas of slush on many lakes but this week’s frigid cold temperatures have helped it to solidify. While nearly all lakes are frozen over, anglers must use extreme caution because ice thickness varies greatly.

Some walleye are being pulled from 14-25 feet of water on Gull Lake. Dead sticks and spoons tipped with minnows have produced the most fish. Some crappies and bluegill are coming from the weedlines and deeper basin holes on some of the smaller area lakes. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

On Monday, Dec. 9, snow continued to fall and the wind continued to blow. While weather conditions were tough for ice anglers, the snowmobilers were thrilled!  Some anglers fishing the Mille Lacs Lake bays were pulling up walleye. As of Wednesday, Dec. 11, certain areas of the lake were covered in 5-8 inches of ice on top of the original layer ice that had flooded. Until that freezes solid, vehicles will need to stay off the ice. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

No fishing reports are available at this time.

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

The Stream Trout Catch and Release Season is open only 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

Big Stone Lake is gaining ice daily! When checked today, Dec. 12, many areas had ice ranging from 7-11 inches thick. One area that was covered in deep snow, however, was only 5 inches thick. There was also a report of some thin ice under the snow near Goose Island. Anglers are asked to only travel by foot this weekend. 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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