Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Feb. 27, 2020

Ice fishing fun during last year's Sportsman's Fishing Contest in Lake City / Ben Threinen

This will be an excellent weekend for ice fishing, with partly sunny skies and highs in the mid- to upper 30s throughout the state!

The 2019-2020 gamefish season ended for most of the state last weekend, but anglers still have the option to fish for walleye, sauger and northern pike on most border waters.

Anglers continue to fish the inland waters for panfish. The popular late ice panfish bite should continually improve through ice out.

Please be aware that 2019 fishing licenses expire Saturday, Feb. 29, and the new 2020 fishing licenses will become effective Sunday, March 1.  

Before heading out, please consult with a local bait shop, resort or guide service for the most current ice conditions. And please take a moment to review the DNR's Ice Safety and Ice Thickness Guidelines web pages.

Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2020-2021 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows. Stream trout: April 18; walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout: May 9; muskie: June 6. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. 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

Ely Area Lakes and Rivers

Lake trout numbers are down a bit, but anglers continue to catch quality trout. Larger suckers fished on the bottom, under a tip up, have been effective for the larger fish. The best depth is roughly 40 feet of water around sunken islands, sharp shoreline breaks and main lake points.

Anglers targeting stream trout continue to catch many nice-size fish. Rainbows and brookies are coming from 10 feet of water or less. Anglers should concentrate on areas with trees in the water, shallow flats and weed beds to locate active trout. Small rippin’ raps, spoons and small jigs tipped with wax worms remain very effective.

Crappie anglers were out in numbers last weekend but many reported a slow bite. Anglers that did have success took mostly smaller crappies. Crappie minnows and soft plastics in 20-30 feet of water produced the majority of fish. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage Area Waters

Anglers and anyone who enjoys the outdoors will want to plan ahead for the annual Trout Derby Picnic and Fishing Contest on West Bearskin Lake, March 7! 218-387-2524; www.visitcookcounty.com

Grand Rapids

The gamefish season has ended for the 2019-2020 season, but many anglers are hitting the ice in pursuit of hot panfish action. Countless lakes within 20 miles of Grand Rapids offer great panfish action. In addition to a great bluegill, crappie and yellow perch population, there are also opportunities to catch trout in area lakes. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On the south end of Lake of the Woods, anglers are having success in 27-33 feet of water. Use a combination of a jigging line and a dead-stick. Spoons or lipless crankbaits with rattles have been effective, and this week fish are responding to pink hooks with a minnow on the dead-stick. Overall, good colors include gold, glow, pink, green, orange and chartreuse. Don't be afraid to downsize presentation if the bite turns tough. Small spoons with a minnow head, wax worm or euro larvae can be very effective. Some walleye have been suspended so electronics can key to catching fish. Northern pike fishing is heating up. For the most action, use tip-ups with big baits on quick-strike rigs. Ice conditions remain excellent with 30 inches of ice in most areas being fished.

On the Rainy River, local anglers are catching some walleye, but most anglers are sticking to the lake. Please note that extra caution is always needed when fishing the river, especially with the higher than normal current this year. Thin ice has been reported around the International Bridge in Baudette. If you aren’t familiar with the river, please work through a resort.

Up at the Northwest Angle, a nice mix of walleye and sauger are being reported, with some jumbo perch and northern pike also being taken. Most of the resort ice houses have been placed over 26-32 feet of water. For the most fish, use some rattle with your jigging presentation. Fish houses may be on the ice through March 31, and the walleye and sauger season remains open through April 14 for Lake of the Woods. 

Anglers will want to check out the Northernmost to Southernmost Fishing Trip Giveaway! The northernmost and southernmost points of the contiguous U.S. have teamed up to offer a fishing trip giveaway to Lake of the Woods and the Florida Keys to spotlight the fantastic fishing in both areas. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

The gamefish season has closed on Minnesota’s inland waters so now is the time to focus on panfish and perch. Look to Lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet for great perch action in depths ranging from 12-35 feet. Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or wax worms are turning fish — downsizing your spoons will produce more bites.

Midge, Wolf and Gull lakes are kicking out some nice bluegills and crappies. Small jigs tipped with waxworms or plastics are working well for most anglers. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Walker - Leech Lake

Despite warm temperatures, lake conditions have improved considerably on Leech Lake, and off-road trucks are able to travel in many areas. Large drifts should still be avoided. The 12-15 foot breaks in Walker Bay are producing perch during the day. A few tullibee are being caught in the deep basin areas off Stoney Point. Eelpout are being pulled from 20-plus feet of water throughout Walker Bay. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Detroit Lakes Area Lakes

Ice conditions and travel on Detroit Lakes area lakes are probably the best they’ve been all season. While the inland walleye, largemouth bass and northern pike seasons closed last Sunday, anglers are heading out to take advantage of the bluegill and crappie bite. This bite should continually improve until ice out! 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Brainerd Area Lakes

Some very good eelpout reports are coming from the Whitefish Chain and Gull Lake. Anglers having the most success are using the brightest glow lures tipped with fatheads or chunks of suckers.  The best times to fish are around sunset until about 10 p.m.

The panfish bite remains great on most of the smaller lakes, especially in the basin areas and areas with some remaining green weeds. A small, finesse-style presentation has improved catch rates. Some of the larger lakes such as Hubert, North Long and Alexander have offered a fairly consistent night bite for anglers using glowing jigging spoons tipped with crappie minnows. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Lake Mille Lacs is giving up lots of tullibee, perch and norther pike.  There is a large batch of 2013 tulibee moving in, with anglers taking their limits. Anglers will want to start deeper and work the flats when trying to locate fish. Downsize your bait if necessary. 

Lots of nice-size perch are coming from the basin areas, and it is possible to run into a school of jumbos.
The northern pike season remains open until the end of March. Reports indicate that large fish are coming from all sides of the lake. 

Overall, the ice roads on Mille Lacs are in good shape and remain open. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Stillwater - St. Croix River

The walleye and sauger season is open on the Mississippi River from Prescott, WI all the way to the Iowa border. Continued above-normal temperatures should cause these fish to make their spring run from Lake Pepin north toward the Twin Cities around mid-March.
  
In early March, a jig tipped with a minnow or smaller plastic worm is a great way to catch sauger and walleye in 18-34 feet of water. Anglers usually follow their conscience and release the fish that are clearly full of eggs. 651-351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com

Waconia - Lake Waconia

Lake Waconia anglers report good crappie action in the deeper waters of Wagener’s Bay. Anglers having the most success fished 4-8 feet off the bottom in depths of 20-25 feet during evening hours. The sunfish continue to bite in 12-14 feet of water near Center and Pillsbury reefs, as well as on the south side of Wagener’s Bay and parts of Waconia Bay. Anglers fishing for sunfish are also taking a few crappies. 952-442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

As of Thursday, Feb. 27, most streams and rivers were in excellent condition, with clear water and a normal flow. Anglers reported that fishing was spectacular when using nymphs and streamers, as well as swing wet flies and even some dry fly action. Some spin anglers were also having success with the trout when using jigs and crankbaits. More of the same was expected for the weekend!  

The Stream Trout catch-and-release season is open. Maps are available under the “Area Highlights” tab on the Lanesboro Fisheries web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

The fishing season remains open year-round on Big Stone Lake. According to one angler, Big Stone Lake is giving up perch when fishing 13 feet of water away from the crowds. Other anglers are taking some nice crappies and bluegills. Travel is very easy in most areas of the lake due to little snowcover on the ice. The accesses will be maintained until they are no longer safe. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com

Visit the Explore Minnesota Fishing & Hunting page for information to help you plan your next Minnesota fishing trip!

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