Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Dec. 26, 2019

Ice fishing fun with Houston's Guide Service

Mild temperatures should linger into next week. Take advantage of these "balmy" temperatures, and enjoy some time out on the ice.

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 should check ice thickness often.

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

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

Lake Kabetogama continues to make good ice. While most areas have 10-16 inches of ice, some anglers have reported less than 7 inches when venturing north and east of Martin Island and on towards Lost Bay. Continually check ice conditions when moving around.

Walleye fishing has been fair to good, with a nice mix of sizes being caught. Successful anglers are focusing on the rock/mud transition areas, then staying on the soft bottom edge in 25-35 feet of water — deeper being better recently. Some nice bonus perch have been mixed in so bring a few wax worms as well. A good approach is to have a lively minnow under a bobber on one line and jigging with your favorite lure on the other. Try half a minnow at first, then adjust from there. Spearing remains consistently good. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

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

Select inland waters have been producing nice panfish. This is a great time of year to look at a map, choose a lake, do some homework and then fish it. The best fishing has been over vegetation in depths of 7-12 feet. Slip bobbers and panfish jigs tipped with grubs or waxworms have been lots of fun. You really don’t need a flasher to catch fish, but they generally increase the catch rate. Try to always work the bottom 1-3 feet of water, just above the weeds. Don’t be surprised to catch a few bass and northern pike as well. Walleye fishing on the inland lakes has been inconsistent – expect the best bite around dawn and dusk.

The St. Louis River Estuary has been popular lately. While some anglers are having success, many are struggling to find active fish. Ice conditions have been favorable on the Superior Harbor off of Minnesota and Park Point, but caution should still be used. Water clarity has improved, but remains somewhat murky. For now, the best approach is getting away from other anglers to avoid the noise since the fish can be spooked easily. Jigging rapalas, puppet minnows or shiver minnows jigged aggressively in 4-7 feet of water has been best, but also keep a live minnow under a float nearby. Lake Superior ice remains questionable.

On Saturday, Jan. 11, enjoy an Intro to Ice Fishing just up the north shore of Lake Superior at Tettegouche State Park. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com

Grand Rapids

Ice conditions are improving daily, but caution must still be used on the larger lakes. And, there is slush that has formed with the warmer temperatures. The smaller lakes have up to 11 inches of ice, with nice numbers of panfish being taken.  The most productive technique has been to use a 1/16- or 1/32-ounce tungsten jig with two waxworms or euro larva on 4-pound test fluorocarbon line. Lakes to try include Big and Little Splithand, Rice and Loon lakes, along with some of the bays on Trout and Pokegama lakes. Try to drill several holes in the area you intend to fish, then hole hop, using your electronics to contact fish. Drilling holes approximately 20 feet apart in a line is a good tactic.

Walleye fishing has been good on Lake Winnibigoshish, especially during the last two hours of the day.  There is approximately 10-12 inches of ice and very few slush pockets. Getting out to some of the big lake structure has been an advantage to anglers. Try to fish the edges of the structure, moving to the top of the edges towards the last 45 minutes of daylight. Expect a mix of walleye, as well as a few northern pike and perch.  A 1/8 - or 1/8-ounce spoon with a minnow head is recommended. Please allow the ice to thicken before heading out by vehicle — foot, snowmobile and four-wheeler are the best modes of travel at this time. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Fishing reports remain strong on the south end of Lake of the Woods. Anglers report a nice mix of walleye and sauger, with some big fish as well. Most of the fish have been suspended. Most resorts have their fish houses out over 26-30 feet of water. Both jigging lines and dead sticks with a live minnow set just above the bottom are working well. The most productive colors have been white, gold, pink, gold/pink, chartreuse and glow. Lots of sturgeon are also being caught. Various ice roads are open, many allowing 1/2-ton trucks with smaller wheel houses. Before heading out, call ahead since ice road limits vary. 

The Rainy River is covered in ice, but very few anglers are heading out due to a higher than normal current.  Please remember that extra caution is always necessary on the river.

Up at the Northwest Angle, the resorts have set up their fish houses out and the walleye reports have been great. Most of the houses are set up over 16-24 feet of water on the bottom of the break. The twilight bites are fast and furious, especially for those aggressively jigging. Many anglers are throwing back the 16-inch walleye in order to keep all of the 18-inch fish! Some areas need to be avoided due to high current. Anglers must stay on the marked trails, and call ahead before traveling. The snowmobile trail from the south end of the lake up to the Northwest Angle is staked and open. Use extra caution near Minnesota Point as there are cracks, etc. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

As of Dec. 20, ice conditions continued to improve on Lake Winnibigoshish, with more than 10 inches of ice reported for most of the lake. Angling and spearing for northern pike remained good on the shoreline breaks, shallow weeds, and in the Third River area in less than 10 feet of water. These areas were also holding perch. Walleye and a few larger perch were found on the main lake bars and humps in 18-22 feet of water. www.lakewinnie.net

Central Region

Brainerd Area Lakes

Overall, the ice conditions have improved, but some areas remain very unstable. The ice ranges from 10 inches all the way down to 2 inches where there is slush. Anglers must use extreme caution when heading out. 

The panfish bite remains great over the weeds or deep basin. It seems that the more aggressive you are, the bigger the fish. A good night bite for crappies is happening on the clear water lakes. Walleye continue to bite during low light hours, with afternoons into evenings being best.  Northern pike action has really picked up for anglers using large sucker minnows. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

As of Dec. 26, warm temperatures had taken a toll on at least one of the packed roads on the southeast side of Lake Milles Lacs. The increase in slush and softening of the snow made it difficult to move around. The crappie hole was still accessible by ATV, but other areas were not, even with chains. Snowmobiles would be allowed to a designated crappie area. On Dec. 24, on the west side of the lake, ice measured 5-8 inches thick in most areas. Anglers were using ATVs and snowmobiles to get out. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Waconia - Lake Waconia

The ice on Lake Waconia is a little “damp” on top. Ice thickness has remained virtually the same since last week, but the snow cover has diminished greatly.  The ice under the deeper slushy drifts and in areas where drifts had melted measured 5 ½ - 6 inches.  The outskirts of the remaining drifts and where there were smaller drifts have 6-9 inches of ice. Areas never covered in snow have roughly 12 inches of ice.  ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles are accessing the lake, along with very small skid houses less than 1500-pounds. A snow/rain event is predicted for this weekend. Additional snow would inhabit further ice growth, but rain would knock down the remaining drifts, allowing some of the thinner areas to build ice. 952/442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and 2Streams

As of Dec. 20, extremely cold temperatures had kept most trout anglers indoors. Few reports were available.

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

Earlier in the week, anglers reported an excellent bite on Big Stone Lake. Limits of 9- to 12-inch perch were being taken, and lots of fish had to be thrown back. Many nice bluegill, and a few crappies, walleye and northern pike were also reported. Ice in the common fishing areas measured 10-13 inches thick, but some slush pockets still had less than 6 inches of ice underneath. ATVs were the primary mode of travel. Vehicle travel was highly discouraged.  Anglers were encouraged to use extreme caution, and check ice conditions often. 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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