Most lakes in Minnesota either have, or have started, 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
Ice on area lakes is averaging between 10-12 inches thick. Anglers are now accessing the lakes by ATV and snowmobile. For crappies and walleye, try Fish Lake. The pike bite has been best on Grand Lake. The Amnicon River is producing numbers of crappies.
KABETOGAMA
Over the past couple of weeks, cold temperatures have added to ice thickness, but recent snows have left some areas slushy. On Lake Kabetogama, four-wheelers and sleds can travel on most surfaces when caution and common sense are used. Lake Namakan has many trouble spots due to various areas of strong current. Extreme caution is a must on Namakan for motorized travel. Numbers of 2- to 4- pound northern pike and an occasional large fish are being reported by both spear and ice anglers working depths of 10-18 feet. Walleye, sauger and perch can be found using smaller minnows on glow jigs.
ELY
Open water anglers took numbers of northern pike and walleye from the Silver Rapids this past week at the channel between White Iron and Farm lakes. An 8-pound northern pike was caught from the fishing pier at Silver Rapids Lodge, as well as three nice-size walleye.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, Sand Bay and other shallow bays now have enough ice to allow for foot and snowmobile traffic. The main lake remains open. Walleye are being pulled from Sand Bay on buckshot rattle spoons, jigging rapalas, and a simple hook and minnow set-up. The best depth seems to be 15-23 feet. Black Bay now has 6-8 inches of ice and anglers are walking out and taking walleye, northern pike, and a few crappies.
GRAND RAPIDS
ATV’s and snowmobiles are accessing area lakes. Anglers report good crappie action on Trout and Little Splithand lakes using a small minnow and glow jig in 18 feet of water during evening hours. Ice on Lake Pokegama has just formed so anglers are sticking to Pooles Bay where they are catching crappies and bluegills on waxworms. Spearing has been good on Big Splithand, Bass, Jay Gould, and several other smaller area lakes where ice depth is from 4-12 inches. As always, please call ahead for the most current conditions before venturing out.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
BAUDETTE
An aggressive early-ice bite is being reported on Lake of the Woods, the Rainy River, and the Northwest Angle and Islands area. Four Mile Bay and the South Shore of Lake of the Woods now have 12 inches of ice. There is a well-marked plowed road out onto the lake, however please be aware of the many cracks and ridges as you travel. Excellent walleye action is being reported along the South Shore in 16-24 feet of water, with quite a few 11-pound fish, as well as large numbers of eating-size walleye and sauger being taken. The best approach has been a gold or glow-in-the-dark 1/4-ounce jig tipped with a shiner minnow. Most of the fish houses are set up near the west end of Pine Island. As the season progresses, many houses will be moved northward across the lake. There is currently about 5 inches of ice on the Rainy River, but extreme caution is advised due to open water around Silver Creek and under the International Bridge. At the Northwest Angle, fish houses have been placed in the Young’s Bay area between American Point and Brush Island, with excellent numbers of walleye being reported. Island area resort guides are having great success with the walleye and jumbo perch around the Soldier’s Point area.
BLACKDUCK
Area lakes are averaging 10-14 inches of ice. Walleye are hitting shiner minnows during morning and evening hours on Blackduck and Gull lakes. On Upper Red Lake, anglers report taking numbers of crappies and northern pike.
BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, there is an average of 6-8 inches of ice, and as much as 10 inches at Bowen’s Flats and the Third River flowage. Spearers are reporting a decent number of nice-size northern pike. Walleye anglers are having a difficult time accessing some of their favorite spots, such as Big Cutfoot Sioux. Once these areas are accessible, use buckshot rattle spoons or jigging rapalas in 12-18 feet of water between 3-5p.m. for the walleye. Some of these areas include the several rocky points on Cutfoot such as Battle, Seeley, Mosomo, and the big island. Crappie fishing is picking up, especially on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux, and many of smaller area lakes. Anglers expect to take numbers of yellow perch once they are able to access some of the good fishing areas off Tamarack Point.
WALKER
Anglers are now traveling all over Leech Lake by foot and ATV. Good panfish reports are coming in, and some anglers are doing well while spearing.
PARK RAPIDS
There is an average of 6-8 inches of ice on most area lakes. Fish Hook Lake is giving up numbers of walleye in 20 feet of water on fathead minnows. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Big Mantrap Lake in 14 foot depths. Crappies can be found suspended on Big Mantrap in 14-20 feet of water.
DETROIT LAKES
Ice is averaging 4-8 inches thick on most lakes, – anglers should still use extreme caution. There is a good crappie bite on Little Detroit, Floyd, Cotton, Stump and Little Pelican lakes in 12-18 feet of water. The best approach has been a techni-glo frostee tipped with a crappie minnow from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Walleye are active on Sallie, Long, Big Detroit, Toad, Lizzie and Pelican lakes. Rattling spoons tipped with a shiner minnow or the head of a fathead minnow worked in areas with a sharp break has been best.
PELICAN RAPIDS
Area lakes now have walkable ice ranging from 4-10 inches thick. Some anglers are also using ATV’s. Fishing has been good on Sand, Prairie and Lida lakes, with numbers of catch-and-release walleye being reported. Shiners and fatheads are working best. For northern pike, try sucker minnows. Bluegills are being pulled from Prairie Lake.
BATTLE LAKE
Walleye are active on West Battle Lake, and hitting golden shiners worked in 26-30 feet of water. On Ottertail Lake, some nice walleye are being taken on sucker minnows, with a 28 ½ inch, 9-pound fish recently reported. Anglers report good panfish action going on North Turtle Lake. For the most fish, try a waxworm on a moon glow jig.
ALEXANDRIA
Anglers are catching fish on Reno, Mary and Darling lakes. Pocket Lake has been best for numbers of panfish. Some of the larger lakes, such as Ida, Miltona, Carlos and Le Homme Dieu, are just developing enough ice for foot travel.
STARBUCK
Ice conditions are improving daily, and there is now an average of 8-10 inches on Lake Minnewaska. Anglers have been using ATV’s to venture out, with a few permanent fish houses popping up. Walleye are holding in roughly 16-18 feet of water. Anglers are finding these fish during late afternoon and evening hours using a jig or plain hook tipped with a fathead or shiner. A few perch and sunfish are coming from the Glenwood end on waxworms worked in 12 feet of water. Spearing is producing fish on Minnewaska and Pelican lakes. Perch are being pulled from Lake Reno on jig and fathead combinations during the day. Lake Reno walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations during lowlight hours.
BRAINERD/ NISSWA
Most lakes have from 5-9 inches of ice and permanent fish houses are beginning to appear. Anglers report good walleye action during lowlight hours just outside the weed edges on North Long, Gull, Pelican and Round lakes. The best approach has been a jigging spoon tipped with a fathead minnow. Numbers of crappies are being pulled from Upper Gull, Nisswa and North Long lakes during evening hours. Good northern pike action is also being reported by anglers using tip-ups and sucker minnows throughout the day.
CROSSLAKE
From 5-7 inches of ice now covers most of the smaller lakes in the area, with good ice now forming on the Whitefish Chain and Crosslake. Anglers are currently taking numbers of fish from Loon, Clamshell and Green lakes. Northern pike are coming in on tip-ups and light northern pike minnows worked along the points and drop-offs.
ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, the bays along the south end now have 9-12 inches of ice. ATV travel increases each day. The main lake does have up to 1 foot of ice in some places, however it is not consistent and can become thin just a few feet away. There are even a few spots that had cracked and exposed water as recently as Monday. Please check with local resorts and bait shops for the best route out to your favorite “hot spot”.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS
NORTH OF ST. CLOUD
Anglers report taking walleye from Little Rock Lake, which has from 8-10 inches of ice. Briggs, Elk and Julia lakes are producing some walleye and panfish. Northern pike are hitting shiners on Long Lake. Ice thickness is averaging 6-8 inches on most area lakes, however less in the middle of the lakes. Anglers are asked to use extreme caution.
SOUTH OF ST. CLOUD
Ice is averaging about 7 inches thick on most area lakes. Seven to nine inches of ice cover much of Pearl Lake, however there is an open water spot in the middle of the lake. Grand Lake, which recently froze over, now has 4-6 inches of ice. Early this week, ice averaged 5 inches on Horseshoe Lake. Please note that the channels and bays on “The Chain” are unreliable due to moving water. Rice Lake is giving up a few crappies and walleye in front of Fischer’s Resort. The best approach has been a crappie minnow or golden shiner in roughly 7-10 feet of water. On Pearl Lake, northern pike are hitting sucker minnows under tip-ups at the 10-12 foot weedlines. A few panfish can be found suspended at 10 feet in 15 feet of water. Anglers are asked to continue using foot travel for now.
EDEN VALLEY
Ice is averaging about 5-6 inches on Lake Koronis. Anglers report taking a few walleye on minnows and fatheads.
ANNANDALE
Francis, Clearwater and Pleasant lakes are giving up a mixed bag of crappies, walleye, bass and northern pike. Granite and John lakes have also had a few good reports. Most area lakes are averaging 5-8 inches of ice, allowing for travel by foot. For the most fish, use a minnow or waxworm on a rattle spoon or anything glow-in-the-dark.
WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, anglers are traveling by foot and ATV onto 7-9 inches of ice. The crappie bite has been excellent, with some 1- and nearly 2-pound fish being reported. Northern pike are also active. The walleye bite is just getting started.
WAYZATA
Area lakes range from open water to 6 inches of ice. A few fish are being caught on Lakes Independence and Sarah. The bays and west end of Lake Minnetonka are also producing a few fish, especially during evening hours.
CHISAGO CITY
Anglers are walking out to Sunset Point and Pancake Island on South Center Lake, the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes, and below The Dinnerbell on South Lindstrom Lake. Crappies and walleye are both being taken during evening hours. Another good location has been the Eagle’s Nest on the south end of Chisago Lake. Golden shiners seem to be working best.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS
MANKATO
There is roughly 4-6 inches of ice on most area lakes. Anglers are walking out onto Madison, Washington, Crystal and Eagle lakes, with a few walleye and panfish being taken. For the most fish, try buckshots, eye-droppers, forage minnows or lindy frostee jigs.
ORTONVILLE
Anglers are pulling walleye from Lake Lac Qui Parle, which currently has about 6 inches of ice. Big Stone Lake is averaging 4-5 inches of ice.