While most lakes in Minnesota are now covered in ice, please be 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, try trolling the North Shore using purple or pink stickbaits in the top 3-4 feet of water for some good rainbow trout action. Anglers are launching their boats at Two Harbors. The St. Louis River is producing some large walleye, with 24- to 27-inch fish recently reported. The best approach has been a small sucker minnow or chub. Crappies are biting on the St. Louis River. And ice fishing is in full swing, with area lakes averaging 9-14 inches of ice.

KABETOGAMA
The ice fishing season should kick into full gear this week on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Spear anglers are currently taking numbers of 2- to 4-pound northern pike, as well as a few larger fish. Walleye anglers report having success using glow jigs and minnow in depths of 25-30 feet. The Lake Kabetogama trails have been staked, and Lake Namakan trails are scheduled to be staked next week.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye are active at Sand Bay. Anglers are catching walleye using buckshot rattle spoons, jigging rapalas, and a simple hook and minnow combination, especially in depths of 15-23 feet. Black Bay anglers are catching walleye, northern pike, and a few crappies.

GRAND RAPIDS
Snowmobiles and ATV’s are out on most area lakes, with the ice up to 17 inches thick in some places. Crappies are starting to bite on Little and Big Splithand lakes in 15-18 feet of water. Lake Pokegama is giving up walleye at dark off the second breakline. Anglers are also catching perch and bluegills in Pooles Bay. Trout Lake has been good for spear anglers. Swan Lake is producing walleye at dusk in 18 feet of water on a shiner and glow jig.

==============================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, anglers report excellent fishing throughout the entire lake! At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, good numbers are coming from 16-24 foot depths just south of Oak Island. There is roughly 16 inches of solid ice, and the trails are marked and ready to ride. Reports from the South Shore indicate steady action in 16-28 foot depths. Ice is up to 20 inches thick and vehicles are now traveling the marked roads. For numbers of northern pike, try a shiner minnow on a glow-in-the-dark, light pink, or gold jig. A few houses have popped up on the Rainy River even though there are some large ice pile-ups (up to 6 feet high!) around the bends in the river between Frontier and Birchdale. There continues to be some dangerous ice on the Rainy River, and travel is not recommended. A trail from Wheeler’s Point to Garden Island has been marked and is ready for use.

WASKISH
On Upper Red Lake, some limits are being reported, and anglers are enjoying an all day bite. There are still a few cracks that are causing problems, but the lake is averaging roughly 18-20 inches of ice. This weekend is expected to be a good one for ice fishing!

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, there is an average of 8- to 11-inches of ice, but vehicle travel is not yet recommended. Some resorts have begun setting up fish houses. Walleye can be found at the mid-lake structure in 18-20 feet of water. Fish are coming from slightly shallower depths on Big Cutfoot Sioux. Anglers are having the most success from dawn to 9a.m. and from 3-5:30p.m. when the walleye move to the structure to feed. For the most fish, try a Northland buckshot rattle spoon tipped with half a minnow. Occasionally drop the spoon to the bottom stirring up the sediment. The better locations include the mid-lake humps, the area 2 ½ miles west of The High Banks, the far eastern tip of Raven’s Point, and less than 1 mile south of Stony Point. On Big Cutfoot Sioux, try Seelye Point, Bob’s Bar, Mosomo Point or Battle Point. Good crappie and bluegill reports are coming from Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux. The best presentation seems to be 2 euro larvae or pikes on a tiny pink rat finkee or size 14 dot spoon. Fish off the bottom and keep it moving. Use 2- to 4-pound test line. Other area lakes giving up good numbers of fish include Sand, Bowstring, Round and Portage.

WALKER
Leech Lake is giving up numbers of fish throughout the lake. Sand Point recently gave up an 11-pound walleye. Anglers are having success at Cedar Point, especially during lowlight hours. And for some good panfish action, hit Shingobee Bay.

PARK RAPIDS
Fish Hook and Straight lakes have been best for northern pike and panfish. Pike are hitting large sucker minnows in 15 feet of water. Panfish can be found using waxworms and crappie minnows.

DETROIT LAKES
Many area lakes now have 10-16 inches of solid ice. Some anglers are now driving vehicles onto the ice, however extreme caution must be used. Crappie action has been good on Little Detroit, Floyd, Cotton, Toad, Leif, Little Pelican, and Sand lakes in 16-30 feet of water. For the most fish, try a lindy frostee jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegills are hitting waxworms during the day. Walleye continue to bite on Sallie, Pelican, Big Detroit, Elbow, Crystal and Floyd lakes. The best approach has been a lindy rattling spoon and minnow head worked along the deep breaks. For northern pike, hit Cotton and Little Cormorant lakes, as well as Dead Shot Bay on Big Detroit.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Area lakes now have from 15-18 inches of ice. Sunnies and crappies are biting on Prairie Lake. Walleye are active at the north end of North Lida Lake, near Clay Point and Bass Harbor. A 17.5-pound northern pike was recently taken on a plain hook on Lake Lida.

BATTLE LAKE
A few large walleye are being caught in 14 feet of water, with a few found in 30 foot depths. For the most fish, hit Battle and Ottertail lakes, however watch for the ice heaves. For panfish, try Deer Lake. Northern pike can be found on most area lakes.

ALEXANDRIA
Anglers are catching walleye on Lakes Miltona, Ida and Reno in roughly 17-19 feet of water at the edge of the weedlines. Anglers are catching crappies using minnows in 20-25 feet on Smith, Geneva and Le Homme Dieu lakes.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye are hitting jig and fathead combinations in 16-18 feet of water, especially during evening hours. Sunfish are biting at the Glenwood end of the lake. For the most fish, try a waxworm in roughly 12 feet of water. On Lake Reno, a jig and fathead should produce a few perch.

BRAINERD
Vehicle travel is now being reported on Round, Mission, Green, North Long and South Long lakes. Crappie action remains strong throughout the area, especially at the first drop-off, just outside the weedlines. For the most fish, try a small glow jig. Sunfish are active in 6-10 feet of water at the weed pockets. The best walleye action continues to occur on Pelican Lake, early in the morning and late in the afternoon, especially in 18-26 feet of water. Anglers report that shiner minnows, as well as glow spoons tipped with fatheads, are working best. For northern pike, try a tip-up and large sucker minnow off the points and weedlines.

NISSWA
A few walleye are coming from Gull Lake. Most of these fish have been on the small side, however anglers are catching a few nice-size fish. The best approach has been a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head. Some nice fish are hitting large golden shiners set under a bobber in 20-26 feet of water. This time of the year fish can be found in waters as deep as 50 feet! Crappies are becoming more active on most of the smaller area lakes, with good results in 12-20 feet of water. Most anglers are using glow demons tipped with maggots. Sunfish are starting to bite on Nisswa Lake, with ants and waxworms working best. Northern pike have been extremely active. For the most fish, use a tip-up or try jigging a bucktail-type jig with a large shiner minnow. Spearing is also working well, however anglers must check local regulations since some lakes have specific spearing restrictions. Please note that there are a few pressure ridges on Gull Lake that are causing some trouble.

ISLE
A good number of resorts along the southern half of Lake Mille Lacs are allowing vehicle travel, but not all areas offer drivable ice. Please check with area resorts and bait shops before venturing out. The best walleye bite currently is at the gravel bars in 25-27 feet of water, especially during lowlight hours. Green jigging rapalas and slender spoons are working well. Northern pike action has been good. Suckers or large shiners under tip-ups have been best. Numbers of perch are showing up in the holes, but sorting is a must! Most perch are in the 7- to 8-inch range, however there are some jumbos mixed in. Fish houses are being set up along the east side of the lake where there is over 14 inches of ice in the bays. Anglers report perch coming from the bays, as well as some walleye taken during early evening hours from the shallow 12-foot reefs.

===================
TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Area lakes are averaging 8 or more inches of ice. Crappies and walleye are being pulled from Rice Lake in front of Fischer’s. For the most fish, try a shiner or crappie minnow. On Pearl Lake, northern pike and panfish are biting throughout the day and during early evening hours. Pike are at the 7- to 10-foot weedlines, and panfish can be found suspended in 12 feet of water. Anglers are spearing for pike on Grand Lake. The Chain is giving up walleye on shiners worked off the islands in 13-14 foot depths. Crappies are active in 12-15 feet of water, and catfish are hitting fatheads. On Schneider Lake, panfish are taking jig and waxworm combinations worked in 12 feet of water.

EDEN VALLEY
Most lakes now have roughly 1 foot of ice, with some anglers driving onto the lakes. Walleye and crappies are being caught on Koronis, Horseshoe, Browns and Eden lakes. The best approach has been a jig and fathead worked in 17-25 feet of water.

ANNANDALE
Northern pike are hitting shiners and minnows on School Section, Pleasant and Clearwater lakes. Walleye are active on Sylvia and Clearwater lakes. For the most fish, try a shiner or fathead. Crappies are being pulled from French Lake, and Clearwater is producing sunfish. Try waxworms and eurolarvae for numbers of panfish.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, there is an average of 10 inches of ice on most bays. For walleye, try a Swedish pimple or jigging rapala tipped with a fathead minnow at the 18- to 20-foot weedlines during evening hours. Crappies can be found in the 18-24 foot holes. For northern pike, work the weedlines in the smaller bays.

CHISAGO CITY
Walleye are biting in the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. Walleye and crappies can be found just below The Dinnerbell on South Lindstrom Lake. Northern pike, sunnies and crappies are all being pulled from Sunrise Lake. And on Chisago Lake, hit the area around The A-Frame and The Eagle’s Nest for numbers of crappies.

=====================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

WABASHA
There is roughly 8-10 inches of ice on the Mississippi River. Sunfish are biting at Wilcox Landing and at the Nelson Wisconsin Dike Road in 1-2 feet water. Use waxworms and spikes for the sunnies. Walleye are starting to bite on Lake Pepin, with jigging rapalas working well.

MANKATO
Most area lakes now have roughly 1 foot of ice. Walleye and crappies are active on Lake Washington. For numbers of panfish, hit Mud Bay, Second and Third Points. Walleye are also biting on Crystal and Loon lakes.

WILLMAR
Area lakes are averaging 12 inches of ice. For walleye, hit Green, Diamond and Ringo lakes. Lake Wagonda is producing fish at night. Eagle and Nest lakes can also be counted on for a few fish.

MONTEVIDEO
About 1 foot of ice now covers Lake Lac Qui Parle. Walleye action has been great, but sorting is a must. For the most fish, hit 5 feet of water, with some good action reported near Hantho’s Landing.

ORTONVILLE
There is approximately 10-12 inches of ice on Big Stone Lake. The best spot for walleye action is currently the Meadowbrook area. Artichoke and Long Tom lakes are giving up both walleye and crappies in 8-10 feet of water.