Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Dec. 19, 2019

Wigwam Resort guests with their walleye and sauger catch on Dec. 15 / www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com

Mild temperatures have arrived and should stick around for at least another week. Take advantage of these "balmy" temperatures, and enjoy time out on the ice with family and friends this holiday season!

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 anglers are enjoying the chance to fish with portable gear. Recent frigid temperatures have been great for building ice, but it’s still important to check the ice frequently. Anglers have had success with the walleye and large northern pike around Black Bay. Jigging with live bait just above the bottom of the lake has worked 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

Ice conditions continue to improve on Lake Kabetogama, and the fishing reports have been great. Most areas of the lake have 8-12 inches of good ice, with more snowmobiles and side by sides being used by anglers. Please note that vehicle travel is still not advised. Spear fishing has slowed somewhat, but continues to keep spear anglers busy — you never know what might come through the ice! 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

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

While lake ice is building daily, challenging ice conditions remains. There is a lot of snow and slush pockets on top of the inland lakes. The best mode of travel is still by foot, snowmobile or ATV. The inland lakes continue to give up lots of daytime northern pike, bass and an occasional walleye. Set your tip-ups, or dead sticks, at different depths to see which is most productive. Once you have success at one of the holes, focus on that depth and presentation. Panfishing has been fair at best, likely due to the recent changes in pressure systems. For panfish, downsize your presentation. On cold days, it is sometimes better to use a live bait set-up under a float. When the bobber goes down, give plenty of time since the fish seem slow on the intake. The upcoming mild temperatures should help.

Some anglers are now venturing out onto the St. Louis River harbors. Most of these anglers are setting up from the Sky Harbor Airport all the way to Duluth past the rowing club. Fishing has been on the slow side recently but that will change once the water becomes less murky. The river will soon be very popular because of the tough inland lake conditions. Please remember to spread out as there is plenty of room for everyone. Also, remember to practice all safety precautions as the St. Louis River can be one of the most dangerous waterways in the Midwest. 

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

Grand Rapids

Ice conditions are improving, but anglers should stick to foot and snowmobile travel on the lakes for a while longer. Stay away from any dark spots on the ice, and avoid areas with slush. 

Anglers are having success targeting the weed beds and structure near shore, with some walleye being pulled from Trout and Pokegama lakes in the evening. A minnow head on a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce spoon, or a #7 jigging rap with a minnow head on the treble have produced the most fish, especially in depths of 19-22 feet.

Northern pike fishing has been excellent for tip-up anglers. Good numbers of fish are coming from the green cabbage weeds.

Panfish action has also been good. Many anglers are catching nice-size perch in Tioga Bay on Lake Pokegama. Most fish are coming from depths of 8-14 feet. Crappie action has been good on the smaller area lakes. Some lakes to consider are Little Moose, Long Lake on the Scenic Byway, and Little Cut Foot Sioux. Depths of 20-25 feet are best on the smaller lakes. You may have to drill several holes until you find a school of fish. Use your electronics and hole hop, and when you mark fish, drop a 1/16-ounce tungsten jig with 2 or 3 waxworms just above the fish. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

A great walleye and sauger bite is being reported on the south end of Lake of the Woods. Most resorts have fish houses out over 23-28 feet of water. The best colors for jigs are gold, pink, gold/pink, orange/chartreuse, and white. Anglers having the most success are jigging one line and dead-sticking another with a live minnow. In addition to good numbers of fish, some trophy-size fish are being taken. Eelpout, perch, tullibee, sturgeon and northern pike have been in the mix. Currently, there is very little snow on the ice, and various ice roads are open. Anglers should refrain from large vehicles, and stick to light SUVs, ATVs or side-by-sides to pull out small fish houses. Be sure to check with your resort or outfitter prior to travel. 

A sheet of ice covers the Rainy River, but anglers are staying off due to faster than normal currents.  

Up at the Northwest Angle, most resorts have brought out their fish houses and initial fishing reports for walleye are very good. Still, some areas should be avoided due to high current. Please stick to resort-marked trails when traveling out. The snowmobile trail from the south end up of Lake of the Woods up to the Angle should be staked this week. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Many of the lakes in the Bemidji area have 8-10 inches of ice, but slush exists under the snow on some lakes. A few anglers are using ATVs and snowmobiles to get out. No one should be driving vehicles out just yet.

Some of the best angling is taking place on the smaller panfish lakes where the crappie and bluegill bite is spectacular. Small jigs tipped with plastics, waxworms or minnows are producing well. Lake Irving is kicking out some walleye and perch on jigging spoons with minnow heads.

Please be safe out of the ice, and practice selective harvesting — by doing so we’ll continue to have great fishing for years to come. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Walker - Leech Lake

Ice fishing is fully underway in the Leech Lake area. Still, anglers must use caution when venturing out onto the ice. Please check ice thickness often when heading out.  

Travel on the smaller lakes has been good, but there is a bit of slush in some areas. Most of the smaller lakes have ice ranging from 10-14 inches thick. Crappies and sunfish have been feeding well on the basin edges in 12-25 feet of water. 

The main basin of Leech Lake has at least 10 inches of good ice in most areas. Some shoreline areas and bays have a bit more snow piled-up, leading to thinner ice and some slush. Snowmobiles and track vehicles are currently best. Walleye anglers are doing well during morning and evening hours, with a few walleye being taken during midday hours. Set-lines with active, live minnows have been best, however, spoons and jigging baits also work during low-light hours. Perch fishing has been good for those willing to sort through and search for bigger fish. 

The ice in Walker Bay is just about thick enough for cautious foot travel. Ice thickness on the bay varies greatly so please confirm conditions with a local bait shop or resort before heading out. Anglers that have ventured out report that the walleye are aggressively feeding during low-light periods on the shoreline breaks and humps in 10-25 feet of water. A rattle spoon tipped with a minnow head has been the best presentation. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Park Rapids

Area lakes are building ice, but vehicle travel will not be an option for a while longer. For now, travel is restricted to foot and small ATVs. Most of the action is between shore and the first drop-off.

Successful anglers are using portable shelters at the healthy weeds in 6-10 feet of water, with lots of sunnies, crappies, bass and northern pike being taken. Anglers fishing depths of 11-15 feet at the weedline are connecting with roaming walleye — no need to venture out into the middle of the lake. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

There is significant snow cover on Detroit Lakes area lakes, so sleds and four-wheelers with tracks are the best way to get around now. Most anglers are still using portables. Plowing on area lakes will have to wait until the ice builds further. It’s been a slow process with all of the insulating snow on top.

Anglers report lots of quality crappies and bluegills. Some walleye are also being taken. The best locations are the weeds and off the sharp breaks leading to deep water. Mornings and late afternoon/evening hours have been the most productive. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Brainerd Area Lakes

The ice on area lakes ranges from paper thin to around 10 inches, and it can vary this much from one end of a lake to the other! Reports of people going through the ice are true so anglers must consult with a resort or bait shop on the most current conditions, and use extreme caution if venturing out on the ice.  A spud bar is essential! It seems that the smaller area lakes are more dangerous since they had a thin layer of ice before the heavy snow fell. 

Some walleye are being taken from Gull and North Long lakes, especially late in the afternoon. Some fish continue to be pulled from Round Lake, even during midday hours. Bluegill and crappies can be found in weeds, as well as in the lake basins. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Recent cold temperatures have helped freeze some of the slush on Lake Mille Lacs, and the double layer of ice is beginning to stabilize. There are still spots where only 5-6 inches of ice exists under the snow. Roads are being plowed in areas with the thickest ice so anglers on foot and ATV can get out with their portables.

The walleye bite is expected to heat up with the warmer temperatures so fishing should be good this weekend, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Anglers staying out past dark in their portables should also do well. Please remember bring a chisel and check ice often. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Waconia - Lake Waconia

The snow on Lake Waconia is slowing the pace of consistent ice growth. Under the deeper snow drifts, ice measures 5-5 ½ inches. Under more moderate drifts, ice thickness is 6-7 inches. Where there is no snow or minimal snow, lake ice measures 9-10 inches, and sometimes more. Slush has formed in areas with deep snow cover. 952/442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and 2Streams

As of Dec. 13, anglers were catching nice fish in Lanesboro and Preston in town. They reported that it was midge and streamer time. There was one good report from Spring Valley Creek in Spring Valley. Most streams and rivers that were open to fishing were running clear, with a normal flow.

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

As of Dec. 18, Big Stone Lake was covered in 8-12 inches of ice between County Road 68 and Kassuske Landing. Areas with snowpack had thinner ice. Last weekend, anglers were catching 50-100 perch a day, and only keeping 10-30 fish. Many finished with nice limits. Anglers reported some nice bluegills and a few crappies as well. ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles are a common sight on lake, with a few permanent fish houses already out. 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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