Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update - Jan. 23, 2020

Nice lake trout pulled from a Grand Rapids area trout lake by Justin Wiese / VisitGrandRapids.com

Travel has become very difficult on many lakes in northern Minnesota due to additional heavy snowfall and slushy conditions. The best means of accessing many of these lakes is with snowshoes and portable gear.

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. For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR's Fish Minnesota web page.

A Parent and Child Ice Fishing program will be offered at Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul on Jan. 25 from 1-3 p.m. And Fish Lake Regional Park in Maple Grove will host Try It: Ice Fishing from 1-5 p.m. on January 25.

If you have some trout fishing gear that's gathering dust, bring it to the Minnesota Trout Unlimited Trout on Tap Winter Social and Garage Sale at Able Seedhouse & Brewery in Minneapolis, this Saturday, Jan. 25 from noon until 3 p.m. Entry to Trout on Tap is free. Buy a beer, pick up some used or new fishing and outdoor gear, do some fly-tying and have fun talking trout! Contact Dan Callahan at 651-238-2111 to sign-up to sell your gear.

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]

Northeast Minnesota

International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Most Rainy Lake anglers are hitting Sand Bay since it is the most easily accessible area on the lake. There is a walleye bite at a depth of about 30 feet where jigging or bobber fishing with live bait has been working well. Brightly-colored jigs are best when the sky is cloudy, and hammered-brass is best when the sun is shining.

Some anglers are heading out on Black Bay in search of crappies and northern pike. The crappies are congregating near the cribs and other structure, while the pike are lurking on the edges of the weed beds. For pike, use a spinner rig with a larger minnow — for crappies, use smaller hooks with worms or shiner minnows.

Please note that the National Park Ice Road is not open, but the snowmobile trails are staked and groomed. If you want to try any of the likely hot spots east or south of Dryweed Island, bring a sled and portable gear.

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

Travel has become difficult on Lake Kabetogama. While the recent two feet of snow has left the snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in premier condition, areas off trail have significant slush and deep snow, with 4- to 5-foot drifts scattered throughout. This has made fishing difficult for those that don’t have machines that can handle extreme conditions. 

Fishing has been consistent for those that do get out to their destination, and the bite seems to be improving. Anglers are finding fish filled with larvae, so the deeper, soft bottom structure is clearly producing best. For now, downsize your bait and use a less aggressive approach. Just a waxworm on your favorite lure should be extremely productive. 

The National Park Service is presently trying to get the ice road in shape for travel, but it was driven last week despite it being closed. More time will be needed to allow the slush and water solidify. Please respect the fact the road is closed. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely Area Lakes and Rivers

Last weekend, lake trout anglers were greeted by excellent ice conditions and active lakers as big as 15 pounds. Anglers had the most success in 20-40 feet of water when using bucktails, wicked tinsel jigs and white/red core tubes. Multiple groups reported that the lakers would cruise in and nab the bait before they could be marked.

Stream trout anglers were also greeted with very active trout. Many groups reported taking their limit by 9 a.m. These anglers were fishing with small tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms. Flashy spoons and rippin’ raps were also very effective. Stream trout anglers did well in 10 feet of water or less.

Walleye anglers continue to catch larger-than-average walleye on many area lakes. The key has been to fish away from the crowds as much as possible, and be set up before the bite begins. Anglers have been catching walleye when dead-sticking a lively shiner minnow on a pink or blue glow demon. The bottom transition areas in 18-23 feet of water have been ideal locations. 

In the January–February 2020 edition of the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine, there is an article on ice fishing for brook trout in the BWCA. Find out more!

800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Grand Rapids

The slush on many Grand rapids area lakes is improving, but it is still hard to maneuver. Snowmobile and foot travel is recommended on most bodies of water. Several anglers are walking out on area lakes and tip-up fishing close to shore for northern pike and walleye. 

The best times to fish with tip-ups for walleye is early and late in the day — during midday hours, fish for northern pike. The deep breaks connected to points and flats are most often the best places to set tip-ups early and late in the day for walleye. Set your tip-ups with one shallow and one on the break to head off migrating fish. A 2- to 4-inch chub, shiner or sucker minnow fished one to two feet off the bottom will attract walleye moving through the area. Some of the lakes in the Grand Rapids area that are good choices for walking out in pursuit of walleye are Pokegama, Deer, Moose, Big Splithand and Trout.

For northern pike, look for weed beds and rock piles near shore. If possible, flats with weeds located near deep water are ideal for your tip-ups. Four- to eight-inch suckers or large shiners are good baits. Change your tip-up locations about every 30 minutes to an hour. Some of the better lakes for pike are Wabana, Pokegama, Spider, Big Splithand and Trout.  

There are some excellent lake trout options in the Grand Rapids. Anglers are encouraged to contact local bait shops to help you choose the best one. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota

Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Ice conditions on Lake of the Woods are excellent, with 24-30 inches of ice reported by most resorts. Good numbers of walleye and sauger continue to be pulled from 27-36 feet of water. A jigging line and a dead-stick are working well with a live minnow. Gold, glow, pink and white are good colors. Try switching your jigging cadence until they bite, and watch for suspended walleye. Jigging spoons with rattles and vibrating lures are producing well. 

The Rainy River is frozen over, with some snowmobile traffic on the marked trail. The current has dropped somewhat and the river is building ice, but extra caution is always needed on the river. The ice is thin near the International Bridge in Baudette.  Anglers should work through a resort if planning to fish the river. 

Fishing remains great in the Northwest Angle & Islands area, and anglers continue to report a nice mix of walleye, sauger, jumbo perch, northern pike and eelpout.  The snowmobile trails from the south end of the lake up to the Angle are groomed and in good shape. Please stay on the trails since there are ice chunks off the trails. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

The Bemidji area received another 15-plus inches of snow, making travel onto area lakes extremely difficult. Vehicle traffic is not an option due to heavy snow and slush. Snowmobiles are a possibility, but some may get stuck. The best option for heading out is to use snowshoes and pull your portable behind.

Those willing to put in the effort are taking walleye, perch and northern pike from Bemidji, Plantagenet and Andrusia lakes. Jigging spoons and minnow heads worked in 20-30 feet of water are turning the most fish. Warmer temperatures are in the forecast which should help condense the snow, but it won’t help with the slush. Please call ahead for the most current ice conditions. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Park Rapids

Fishing remains good, but the deep snow has created areas of slush on many lakes. Crappie anglers that have gotten out are enjoying all day action in depths of 12-25 feet. Crappie minnows on a plain #6 hook under a bobber have been best, however, a spike or waxworm on a small tungsten or lead glow jig has also been good, especially during low-light hours. Walleye are coming in on ¼-ounce gold or silver jigging spoons. Northern pike have been attacking shiner minnows suspended about 2 feet off the bottom over 9-12 feet of water. Try hooking the minnow on a #2 chartreuse hook for added attraction. For an all day bite, concentrate on the weeds.  Bluegills can still be found in large numbers at the weed flats near deep water (connected to shore) in 7-12 feet of water.  A small puppet minnow will catch the larger bluegills. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes Area Lakes

Ice conditions in the Detroit Lakes area have slightly improved, but lake flooding and slushing remain a problem on most area lakes. Anglers need to stick to the sled and wheeler trails. Only a few plowed roads are available on area lakes. Be sure to avoid areas with drifts since the ice conditions will be even worse in these areas.

Crappies and bluegills are being pulled from the deeper soft bottom basin areas. The best activity levels have been early and late in the day. Some walleye continue to be taken, but the bite windows are shorter which is typical at this time of the ice fishing season. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region

Otter Tail Area Lakes

Lake access has been difficult this season, with lake conditions unlike anything seen in years. Access to most area lakes is only an option for those with tracked machines or those willing to walk out.

On the majority of lakes, conditions consist of snow on top of slush on top of water on top of 9-11 inches of ice, equaling about 20 inches of a winter-mix. There are small areas on many lakes that are not as messy, but it takes a lot of work walking, drilling and sweating to locate them. Anglers should plan to walk out, then scout out a spot that can be accessed by a track machine, preferably near shore. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Brainerd Area Lakes

Despite the new snowfall, most of the lakes continue to have great ice conditions. The walleye are active throughout Gull Lake with bites occurring throughout the day, and really heating up during low-light hours. Don’t be afraid to hole hop rather than staying stationary in a fish house. Spoons tipped with minnow tails have worked better than with a minnow head. Some nice fish were also recently taken on dead-sticks and tip-ups with sucker minnows.

The northern pike have become aggressive, with some large fish coming from the weedlines of the basin holes on smaller area lakes. If you can find green weeds, you should be rewarded with lots of the bluegills and crappies. Again, the basin areas of the smaller lakes are the best bet.

This weekend, join 10,000 anglers from around the world vying for more than $150,000 in prizes by competing in the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza! 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

Nice walleye are being pulled from 13-24 feet of water on Lake Mille Lacs. It appears that there is a lot of baitfish in the shallower waters, with the walleye holding right nearby.  

Vehicles and wheel houses are getting out, with overall ice thickness approximately 18 inches. But the warm temperatures are starting to affect the ice. Anglers planning to head out this weekend should call ahead for the most current ice conditions. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Waconia - Lake Waconia

As of Jan. 20, Lake Waconia ice ranged from 13-17 inches. A road was plowed from the In Towne Marina past Waconia Bay, and out to Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef, ending near the Rock Dock in Wagener’s Bay. The bite was very good last weekend for sunfish and crappies. The sunfish were hitting waxworms throughout the day in 10-14 feet of water. Crappies were found in water up to 20 feet deep, responding best to crappie minnows. A few largemouth bass were reported by panfish anglers!  Walleye were the most active during late evening and overnight hours, generally in quieter locations in 14-20 feet of water. 952-442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota

Lanesboro/Preston - Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams

The Stream Trout catch-and-release season opened Jan. 1. Maps are available under the “Area Highlights” tab on the Lanesboro Fisheries web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

Some nice fish are coming from 13 feet of water on Big Stone Lake. After numerous ice measurements, the ice appears to range from 16.5 to 21 inches thick. Anglers are hoping that the recent warm temperatures will cause the snow drifts to shrink. 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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