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
DULUTH
On Lake Superior, some anglers are catching loopers while casting spoons and spawnsacs from shore and from boat. There are reports of Grand Lake having 6 inches of ice, and Caribou Lake is reported to have roughly 4-5 inches of ice.
KABETOGAMA
Anglers were able to venture out onto the ice last weekend. Early spearing reports varied, but most anglers reported numbers of 2- to 4-pound northern pike, as well as an occasional 15- to 18-pound fish! Live decoys were the recommended approach. Anglers fishing through the ice near the channel or bay entrances reported only a few small walleye. The majority of Lake Kabetogama and part of Lake Namakan have 3-5 inches of ice as of last Monday. Anglers are advised to use extreme caution due to many pressure ridges leading to unsafe ice. The lakes have very little snow cover so ice continues to develop at a rapid pace. If the weather cooperates, these lakes should have approximately 6 inches of ice by this weekend.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, daytime and nighttime temperatures are consistently below freezing. It is possible that anglers may be able to walk out onto the bays in the near future. Please call ahead for the most current conditions.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, ice thickness is currently at 6-8 inches, and anglers hope to access the lake by this weekend. Local fishing guides have already been out by foot to roughly 16 feet of water where they are taking nice-size walleye. Most resorts along the Rainy River and South Shore of Lake of the Woods expect to take anglers out by ATV beginning December 11. An ATV trail will be staked-out by the guides to Pine Island by this weekend. Some anglers are even limiting out quickly during evening hours. Anglers are asked to exercise caution when venturing out since ice conditions can change on a daily basis. Please contact area resorts and bait shops for the most current conditions.
BLACKDUCK
Ice is forming on most of the smaller area lakes. And there have been reports of anglers using four-wheelers on Upper Red Lake, which now has up to 8 inches of ice in some areas.
PARK RAPIDS
Ice fishing is not advised in this area.
DETROIT LAKES
There is 3-5 inches of ice on the smaller lakes in the area. Some of the larger lakes like Big Detroit, Pelican and Big Cormorant still have open water.
BATTLE LAKE
On North Turtle Lake, there is 3-5 inches of ice, with northern pike and panfish being taken. Rose Lake by Brandon is kicking out sunnies. Other area lakes that local anglers are now accessing include Long, Rush and Star, however extreme caution must be used.
ALEXANDRIA
Ice is now about 5 inches thick on Lake Reno, where anglers report catching a few walleye. On Little Mary, there is roughly 4 inches of ice, with numbers of panfish being taken.
STARBUCK
There is from 3-5 inches of ice on Lakes Emily, Pomme de Terre, Red Rock and Pelican. Walleye can be found using a jig tipped with a fathead minnow, or a plain hook and shiner minnow. Lake Minnewaska remains open.
BRAINERD
Warm temperatures melted some of the ice that had already formed on area lakes. Some of the lakes, such as Round Lake, actually opened back up this week. Do not trust ice conditions on any of the larger lakes in the area at this time since many of them still have pockets of open water. The smaller lakes and bays are ice-covered, but ice thickness ranges from 1-5 inches. Those anglers already venturing out are asked to please use extreme caution!
NISSWA
A few of the smaller lakes and bays have ice that ranges from 1-4 inches thick. A few anglers that have ventured out say that some of the small lakes offer walkable ice where numbers of crappies are being taken. The larger lakes, such as Gull, Round, and Pelican are either completely open or have patches of open water scattered throughout. Please note that ice conditions can change quickly.
ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, as of last Monday, a skim of ice was forming each night, however wind caused it to break apart daily.
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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.