In general, few reports are currently available due to minimal angler activity on most lakes and rivers. Many of the smaller area lakes are beginning to freeze over. During this transitional period, please make sure to check with local bait shops and resorts for up-to-the-minute conditions.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ICE IS NEVER CONSIDERED TOTALLY SAFE. The Department of Natural Resources reports that 4 inches of ice is the minimum thickness recommended for travel by foot. Ice safety guidelines also recommend a minimum of 5 inches of new, clear ice for snowmobiles and ATV’s, and 8-12 inches of new, clear ice for cars and small trucks. Melting and refreezing of ice makes it less stable, especially in areas with springs or current such as near lake inlets and outlets.

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

GRAND RAPIDS
Ice is now forming on some of the smaller lakes and in the bays on some larger lakes, however conditions are not good. A few more nights of single digit temperatures and no wind are needed to allow for fishable ice. Currently, some fish continue to be pulled from the MP&L discharge area. Most are these fish are bass, bluegills and northern pike. Anglers are fishing from shore and from boat. For the most fish, try a large minnow for the northern pike, and a small minnow or waxworm for the bass and bluegills. Local angers and experts predict that there will be fishable ice on Third River and the shallow lakes by the weekend, however please remember to always check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions before venturing out.

KABETOGAMA
Ice is beginning to form on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. It is possible that continued cold weather will result in enough ice for foot traffic and spear houses by this weekend.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, ice is forming, with daytime and nighttime temperatures consistently below freezing. Avid anglers and local guides are predicting ice fishing will begin in roughly mid-December, however anglers may be able to walk out onto the bays beforehand.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
Ice is beginning to form on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. All of the feeder streams to the Rainy River are now frozen, and a few more nights of low temperatures should cause the Rainy River to freeze from shore to shore. Current surface water temperatures are at 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Good ice formation is dependent on many factors, including wind speed. Good ice conditions occur when overnight low temperatures are combined with calm winds. According to local anglers and guides, fishing remains great on the Rainy River. For the most walleye, use a chartreuse or very light green jig.

DETROIT LAKES
Some ice has formed on some of the smaller area lakes, however it is still NOT safe to venture out. With consistent and slightly colder temperatures, anglers may be able to access these smaller area lakes sometime next week.

BRAINERD
Many of the smaller ponds and lakes are now coated with a thin layer of ice, but the larger lakes remain wide open. If the current cool temperatures linger, there should be some good ice on the larger area lakes in just a couple of weeks.

NISSWA
Some ice is forming on most bodies of water is this area. North Long and Round lakes have some ice cover, however Gull Lake is still wide open. Some of the smaller, shallow lakes are covered in a thin layer of ice, but conditions are not good. Please remember to always check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions before venturing out.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

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

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

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