Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Jan. 9, 2020

Ashley Brubaker's northern pike pulled from a Grand Rapids area lake

Please note that slush has become an issue on many lakes, especially in central and northern Minnesota which received a large amount of heavy, wet snow last week. Anglers are advised to stay on marked lake trails. 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

The ice road to Sand Bay is open, and folks with portable gear are getting out along the staked snowmobile trails, however, the Voyageurs National Park ice road heading east on Rainy Lake is not yet open. Those that are getting out are finding walleye in 25-30 feet of water. Jigging with live bait will work best, and if it’s early in the day or cloudy, a brighter color will attract more attention. The area around Birch Point is popular for walleye and crappie; Black Bay has been more popular for northern pike.

As always, please make safety your priority. While there is sufficient ice in many areas, there are areas with high current where the ice is unsafe. The heavy snow blanketing areas with open water and thin ice is slowing the formation of ice as well. Please check ice depth frequently when traveling out.

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

Fishing remains consistent throughout Lake Kabetogama. Even though the bite isn’t fast and furious, walleye fishing has been good. While the larger fish have turned more active, the keeper-size fish seem less willing to bite. Lively minnows under a bobber or on a rattle wheel are producing better than jigging. Shiners are the bait of choice. Anglers will want to focus on transition areas with a soft bottom in 24-32 feet of water. 

Spearing has slowed, but this is probably due to fewer people spending time in the spear houses. Ice thickness still varies greatly throughout the area so travel is limited to snowmobiles and track machines. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely area lakes and rivers

Walleye anglers have been limited on areas they can fish due to high levels of slush. Anglers that do get out report lots of quality walleye. Anglers that are willing and able to avoid the crowds have been having the most success. Many of the walleye are coming from 20-28 feet of water off the main lake points and around the sunken islands. Dead-sticking a minnow remains the most effective presentation. 

Northern pike anglers have been catching good numbers of nice-sized northern pike. Some anglers have shifted to the rocky, sunken islands that top out in less than 10 feet of water. These anglers have been doing very well when suspending a large sucker about halfway down under a tip up.

Anglers continue to find large numbers of crappies suspended over the deep basins. The most successful anglers have been “swiss-cheesing” an area and not dropping a line until they mark fish. Small rippin’ raps or glow jigs tipped with waxworms or crappie minnows remains very effective.

Please note that slush has become an issue for every lake in the area. While it was mainly limited to bays, it has now spread to just about everywhere on the lake and every lake in the area. The amount of shush varies from 3 inches to more than a foot. Snow cover on the lakes also varies, with as little as a foot to nearly 3 feet near shore. Ice conditions remain largely unchanged, holding at 8-15 inches of ice. Track vehicles and snowmobiles are the best modes travel if heading off plowed ice roads. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Grand Rapids

Ice conditions haven’t changed much from last week, but with the colder weather approaching the conditions will improve. Currently, the best mode of travel on the lake is by foot, although there is some snowmobile traffic on some of the smaller area lakes which seem to have better ice conditions than the larger lakes. Please check shorelines carefully before venturing out.

Most anglers are doing well when fishing the breaklines and structure closer to shore. Currently, the best presentation for jumbo perch, crappies and bluegills is 4-pound test line on a light action rod rigged with a small tungsten jig. A few of the lakes that are producing well are Bass Lake north of Cohasset, Little Bowstring Lake northeast of Deer River, several of the small lakes in the Suomi area, and a number of smaller lakes north of Grand Rapids. Pay attention to your electronics and drill approx. 6-8 holes in a general area, and then hole hop. Foot travel is recommended. Also, please be sure to tell someone where you plan to fish before you head out. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Overall, anglers report a nice mix of sauger and walleye coming from Lake of the Woods, generally from 28-31 feet of water. Use a combination of a jigging line and dead-stick with a live minnow. Rattles and noise within lures can be effective. Electronics are very helpful. 

The Rainy River is frozen over but few anglers are heading out due to areas with fast current. Anyone considering fishing the river should work through a resort. Extra caution is always needed on the river. A snowmobile trail on the river was marked this week for snowmobiles only — nothing heavier. Please stay on trail since there are areas of much thinner ice on parts of the river.

Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers are having success in 16-20 feet of water early and late in the day. Ice shacks located at the bottom of the break are producing more consistently throughout the day. Many walleye measuring over 26 inches, a couple of 29-inch fish, and a massive 31-inch walleye were recently taken.  Rippin’ raps and buckshot are attracting active fish to the ice shacks. Use gold jigs on sunny days; switch to glow red, pink or white an overcast days. Anglers can now follow the signs on the ice road, but are encouraged to drive down the center of the road since the ice is thinner on the edges. Strong currents and mild weather make it important to stay to marked trails. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

A lot of slush can be found under the snow and on top of the ice on area lakes, making travel very difficult. Anglers are using snowshoes to access the lakes and pulling portables and gear behind them. There have been reports of some nice crappies, along with a few walleye. Fewer anglers have been heading out, so fishing pressure is low, and it can be very peaceful out of the lakes. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Detroit Lakes Area Lakes

Recent cool temperatures should help freeze the slush on the area lakes. It should also help reduce some of the flooding. Ice depths range from 10-15 inches, but are inconsistent and some thin ice problems exist off trail due to the significant snow cover.

Ice anglers that are getting out to deeper holes on some area lakes are being rewarded with quality crappie and bluegill action. Some walleye are also being taken, but action has been inconsistent. The best bite time for walleye has been the last hour before sunset and the first hour of darkness. Truck travel is not recommended on area lakes. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Area Lakes

Walleye fishing has been good for anglers than get away from the crowds. Aggressive baits, such as rippin’ shads, have been productive. Smaller minnows on set-lines are also producing well. The best depths have been 20-30 feet.  

The panfish bite has been great, with good numbers of fish found in the basin near structure. Small tungsten jigs and spoons tipped with waxworms have worked well, as have rattle baits. The key is to drill a bunch of holes and hole hop until you mark fish. Once found, just stay on top of the school, or hunker down until they fish circle back. 

Anglers must be extremely careful when venturing out onto area lakes. Heavy snowfall has created lots of slush on area lakes, making travel difficult. The ice measures up to 15 inches on some of the smaller lakes, but there are spots on the larger lakes with only 6 inches of ice. Please check the ice often when heading out. Also, please don’t drill any holes on or near a plowed road since flooding will occur, possibly leaving the road unusable. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Brainerd Area Lakes

The bluegills and crappies remain active on the smaller area lakes, with all day bites being reported. Areas with green weeds and the basin holes are key locations. Walleye continue to bite on the larger lakes during low light periods. And some large northern pike are being pulled from the weedlines.

Please note that much of the ice is slushy, and there are layers of slush that have huge air pockets which will impair the strength of the ice. Caution is still needed when heading out. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Willmar

Anglers are finally getting out on the lakes by foot, snowmobiles, 4-wheelers and ATVs. The ice thickness varies greatly throughout each lake so caution must be taken when heading out. The ice on Green Lake varies from 10-14 inches, with nice crappies and walleye being caught most evenings. Foot Lake has from 8-12 inches of ice. Anglers fishing near the pier by the fairgrounds during evening hours are taking crappies. Diamond Lake has 8-12 inches of ice, and has been good for crappies. Point and Eagle lakes are very popular right now for walleye and panfish anglers. These lakes have about 12 inches of ice. Big Kandiyohi Lake has 8-12 inches of ice, and is giving up lots of jumbo perch during morning hours. Please check with a local bait shop for the up-to-date ice conditions.

Anglers are having the most success with the walleye when using fathead minnows, especially when there is a lot of movement to the bait. Waxworms are turning various other species of fish. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

This Saturday, Jan. 11, learn about ice safety, fish species and habitat, ice fishing gear and techniques, and more at the Family Ice Fishing Program at Lake Rebecca Park in Hastings. The program is free, but registration is strongly encouraged in order to ensure there is enough equipment for all participants. 651-437-4359

And Fort Snelling State Park will offer ice fishing instruction and other winter activities during Winter Trails Day this Saturday, Jan. 11.  Participants will have a chance to try ice fishing, fat biking, tracking, archery and more! Gear will be provided. 

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

As of Dec. 27, the streams were in great condition, with clear water and normal flows reported. Midges were seen in the area. 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

Most of the ice on Big Stone Lake measures 11-15 inches, but there probably areas with thinner ice. Most of the slush has frozen over so travel has improved. Some areas may be safe for vehicles, but others may not.  Anglers will need to check the ice often when heading 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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