Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Jan. 2, 2020

Carder with his 29-inch walleye pulled from Lake of the Woods in late December / www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com

Please note that much of central and northern Minnesota received a large amount of heavy, wet snowfall earlier this week. This insulating layer of snow will cause ice to grow at a much slower pace, and areas with unstable ice will be hidden from view — 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.

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

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

Ice conditions are variable on Rainy Lake so anglers must check the ice often when not on a marked road or trail. Anglers that are getting out are catching lots of fish during morning hours. Jigging with live bait in 25-30 feet of water seems to be the most productive. One of the more popular areas is Black Bay. Ice houses have popped up in Sand Bay, but few reports are available for that area.

The Green Trail running through Voyageurs National Park is staked and groomed. The trail provides good access for anglers with portable gear. Some of the Black Bay crappie cribs are close to the trail and they are potential hot spots for crappie anglers.

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

The Lake Kabetogama area has been hit hard by snow storms, with 20-plus inches of snow on the ground. As a result, ice conditions have deteriorated and abundant slush has made travel difficult on the lake.   

As of Dec. 31, the only open, groomed trail on the lake is the Green Trail from Rainy Lake to Ash River and Sullivan Bay. Large areas of slush have developed on the lake, and the Lake Namakan ice is too thin for staking at this time. Only wide track snowmobiles are recommended, especially when venturing off the groomed trail. No roads have been plowed. 

Fishing remains inconsistent throughout Lake Kabetogama due to fluctuating weather systems every few days. And with the additional snow, moving around the lake is now restricted to snowmobiles and track machines.  If you are heading out, focus on transition areas in 25-35 feet of water. Keep your presentation options open as each day can be different. If possible, move around until active fish are found. Typical catches are a mix of walleye, sauger and perch, with an occasional northern pike and tullibee.

Anglers searching for whitefish are focusing on deep water and using small tungsten jigs tipped with plastics. Deep water over soft bottom areas are best. Use your sonar to locate suspended fish since these are usually whitefish. Tullibee are commonly caught while fishing deep water, and they are great in the smoker. If you’ve never tried fishing for whitefish, it is worth the adventure. They are hard-fighting and catches over 10 pounds are common. They make great table fare as well, baked or fried! 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

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

A week of rain and mild temperatures brought ice development to a halt. Angling on the St. Louis River dropped considerably due fresh cracks and open water flooding in the harbor areas. All areas of the St. Louis River are considered dangerous once again.

The inland lakes have their own challenges with lots of slush and very wet ice. Anglers need to wear waterproof boots due to abundant wet areas, especially after drilling a hole. Some inland lakes are also trapping snow machines. If you do head out by snowmobile, try to stick to a packed trail. Anglers will want to concentrate on areas with vegetation in 6-15 feet of water near shore where schools of panfish can be found. The best tactic remains a small 1/32- or 1/16-size jig tipped with a waxworm, grub or soft plastic. The afternoon bite seems to be better than the morning bite, especially around 3 p.m. 

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

New snow cover has made it difficult to navigate some area lakes. Anglers that have been out are chasing bluegills and crappies. The panfish have been actively feeding during morning and evening hours, and anglers are having their best results in 15-20 feet of water. Tungsten jigs, small spoons and rattle baits have produced nice numbers. 

Both walleye and northern pike have been very aggressive. Jigging spoons tipped with fathead minnows are working best for walleye, especially at the sharp breaklines leading from shallow to deeper waters. The best bite window has been during evening hours at depths of 22 feet. Sucker minnows, rainbows and fatheads under bobbers and on tip-ups have been producing well. Northern pike have been very active throughout the day at the weed edges. Sucker minnows on tip-ups set over 8-14 feet of water has been best. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Anglers fishing the south end of Lake of the Woods report a nice mix of walleye and sauger, along with some trophy walleye, jumbo perch, eelpout, northern pike and tullibee. Most of the fish have been suspended. Area resorts have placed their fish houses over 25-32 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 gold, pink, glow red and UV glow colors. A lot of sturgeon are also being taken. Various ice roads are open, many allowing 3/4-ton trucks with wheel houses. Before heading out, please call ahead since ice road limits vary. 

The Rainy River is frozen over but there has been very little traffic due to a stronger than normal current. Extra caution is always necessary on the river. 

Fishing is excellent up at the Northwest Angle, with a mix of walleye, sauger, jumbo perch, northern pike and eelpout being taken. With over a foot of snow, snowmobile trails from the south end of Lake of the Woods to the Northwest Angle are groomed and in good shape. Riders should stay on the trails since the current is strong and areas of thin ice remain. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish

The area received an additional 12-14 inches of snow last weekend creating slushy spots on Lake Winnibigoshish. Snowmobiles are now the only mode of travel option on the lake. Perch anglers report lots of success in 12-14 feet of water.  Anglers fishing for walleye are doing well on the main-lake structure in less than 14 feet of water. www.lakewinnie.net

Detroit Lakes Area Lakes

A significant amount of wet, heavy snow fell in the Detroit Lakes area between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Ice thickness on area lakes was mostly 10-12 inches before the storm, but the thick snow on top will bring ice development to a halt for some time. The result is very challenging ice conditions. No plowing is taking place due to the slush, flooding and uncertain ice conditions. Sleds and wheelers with tracks are the recommended mode of travel on the ice. With the mild forecast for the next 7-10 days, it could be 3 or more weeks for conditions on the lakes to improve.
Large crappies and bluegills are biting in the soft bottom basin areas. Anglers that get out should expect slush and flooding.

Central Region

No reports are currently available for this region of the state.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Waconia - Lake Waconia

Overall, the ice on Lake Waconia has improved. There are scattered drifts of snow throughout the lake. Some of those drifts are flooding and creating slush. Most of the ice measures 6-12 inches. ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobiles are accessing the lake. Chains are highly recommended. 952/442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

As of Dec. 27, the streams were reported to be in great condition. Midges were seen in the area. 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

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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