PLEASE CHECK WITH LOCAL BAIT SHOPS AND RESORTS FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE CONDITIONS. AND, 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
The St. Louis River is producing walleye and crappies. Also try fishing the Lester River using waxworms or nightcrawlers off the bottom for a few fish. Inland lakes are producing walleye and crappies, especially Fish Lake. Some anglers are using small boats to get out onto the North Shore of Lake Superior, however please note that there is a skim of unsafe ice along the west end.

ELY
Farm Lake and the White Iron Chain are producing greater numbers of crappies and northern pike since the recent heavy snowfall. Crappies are hitting chubs and crappie minnows in 10-18 feet of water, with a 1.4-pound crappie weighed in at Silver Rapids Lodge last week. Northern pike are taking sucker minnows set a foot off the bottom in 15-25 feet of water.

KABETOGAMA
On Lake Kabetogama, anglers are having some success at the mouth of Lost Lake and near the Sullivan Bay entrance using live bait and glow jigs. Spear anglers are working the shallows of Tom Cod Bay, the Duck, and Irwin Bay. Live decoys remain the best attractant. And snowmobile enthusiasts will enjoy the 16 inch base along the trails from Orr to International Falls.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, walleye, sauger, and even some nice-size northern pike are lurking in the Sand Bay area. Anglers are taking fish from 18-34 feet of water on jigging rapalas, small minnows, and northland forage minnows. Glow-in-the-dark tackle is best due to the dark water. The walleye bite has been good all the way from American Narrows up to the Brule River. Anglers are having the most success at the reefs and in areas with structure.

GRAND RAPIDS
Crappies are biting on Big Splithand Lake in 15-20 feet of water at dusk. The best approach has been a glow jig and small minnow. Big Trout Lake is giving up a few crappies as well. Most of the smaller crappie lakes are also producing. Bowstring Lake continues to produce some nice crappies and a few walleye. Lake Pokegama is giving up a few walleye during evening hours. For the most fish, try a Swedish pimple and a small shiner in 18-25 foot depths. Sometimes just a hook and minnow is best, so try both methods. Northern pike action has been good on most area lakes using a tip-up and large minnow at the weedlines.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, limits of fish are consistently being taken from the Northwest Angle and Islands area. Fish can be found in 26 feet of water using fatheads on gold or glow-in-the-dark jigs. Along the South Shore, anglers are taking fish by jigging in 24-28 foot depths. Some houses were pulled back in toward the 20-foot range while others were pushed out further to 31 feet, where anglers are finding a good mix of walleye and sauger. The best presentation has been light, brightly-colored tackle. Some anglers prefer a plain hook, minnow, and small split-shot to make it easier for fish to take the bait. And recently one party took numerous walleye in the 12- to 14-inch range, as well as 4 eelpout, 2 tulibees and 2 jumbo perch in two days.

WASKISH
On Upper Red Lake, fishing has been good with many limits coming in during the day. Crappies are hitting all day and at night. Glow jigs seem to be the best approach. Anglers are traveling out about 3- to 5-miles. Some of the best reports are coming from the north and east ends. There is now over 20 inches of ice on the lake.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the hump bite has been pretty consistent, with nice-size perch measuring up to 12 inches found at the deep edges in 29-32 feet of water. Walleye are being pulled from 20-24 foot depths around 3-5 pm on buckshot rattle spoons, Swedish pimples, and Acme spoons tipped with half a chub or shiner. Work these combinations 6 inches off the bottom for the most fish. Some of the better locations include the edge of the river channel near Tamarack Point, the humps off Raven’s Point, at Sugar Point, Moses Bar and Long Point. Crappie fishing has been inconsistent. Anglers seem to be having the most success on Big and Little Cutfoot Sioux Lakes, using 2-pound test monofiliment, or 4-pound Berkley Vanish and small ice spoons tipped with 2-3 euro larvae. Quite a few 9- to 11-inch bluegills are coming in as well.

WALKER
On Leech Lake, walleye are being caught at the humps of Walker Bay during evening hours. Northern pike are biting throughout the lake along theweed edges.

HACKENSACK
Crappies are biting on Pleasant Lake in 12 feet of water during evening hours. The walleye bite has been best on Woman Lake in 25 feet of water, with some perch mixed in.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleye are hitting fatheads worked in 27 feet of water on Fishhook Lake. On Big Mantrap Lake, northern pike are very active in 14 foot depths and hitting sucker minnows. Crappies can be found suspended in 25 feet of water. The bluegill bite has been best using waxworms on Upper Twin Lake in 10 feet of water.

DETROIT LAKES
A few walleye are being pulled from the deep, sharp breaks found in 18-26 feet of water. Lindy techni-glo flyer jigs tipped with a fathead or shiner have worked well. The better locations include Big Detroit, Crystal, Floyd, White Earth, Sallie and Big Cormorant lakes. Panfish are active on many area lakes and hitting small glow jigs and waxworms at the green cabbage weeds. Cotton, Floyd, Little Detroit, Sand, Crystal and Big Toad lakes are all producing some nice crappies during late afternoon and evening hours. And snowmobilers are enjoying the excellent snow base along area lakes and trails.

PELICAN RAPIDS
Lida, Pelican, Lizzie and Prairie lakes are producing panfish and northern pike, as well as a few walleye. For the most fish, try waxworms, shiners and suckers.

BATTLE LAKE
On Battle Lake, crappies can be found suspended 4-6 feet off the bottom in 18-24 feet of water. Crappie minnows and demon jigs are working best. Walleye are hitting shiner minnows during evening hours and after dark on West Battle Lake. Rush Lake has also been good for walleye action. For perch, hit the Amore Flats on Ottertail Lake, with a few walleye mixed in. For the most fish, try jigging a Swedish pimple tipped with a fathead or sucker minnow. Sunnies and crappies are being pulled from South Turtle Lake. East Lost Lake is producing a few walleye and sunfish.

ALEXANDRIA
Walleye can be found along the weedlines on Lake Ida. Bluegill are active during the day on Geneva and Mary lakes. Crappies are most active at night, and hitting small jig and minnow combinations in 8-14 feet of water.

STARBUCK
Walleye are scattered in 8-22 feet of water on Lake Minnewaska. On the east end of Lake Emily, a few walleye are coming in on shiner minnows and fatheads. Lake Reno’s west end is producing walleye.

BRAINERD
Pelican and Gull lakes continue to give up a few walleye during evening hours on tip-ups and shiner minnows. Crappie action remains strong in the deeper waters near the points. Use a flasher to spot suspended fish. The best approach has been a small glow jig tipped with a minnow in 26-35 feet of water. Northern pike action has been good, with a 21-pound catch-and-release northern pulled from Gull Lake last weekend. The best pike action has been reported by tip-up anglers using sucker minnows in 12-18 foot depths.

CROSSLAKE
Numbers of smaller walleye are being caught and released by area anglers. Shiners under a bobber or tip-up seem to be the best bet, followed by jigging spoons tipped with a minnow. Most fish are being pulled from 22-28 feet of water. Northern pike are active at the 12- to 16-foot drop-offs, and next to the weedlines. Crappies can be found in 16-20 feet of water. For the most fish, try a glow jig tipped with a waxworm or crappie minnow during early morning hours or at dusk.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye are being pulled from the mud flats. The Boot, Eight-Mile, Seven-Mile, and The Needle are all producing fish towards the top of the breaks. The gravel is also giving up fish, especially in 25-28 feet of water. For the most fish, use fatheads on a jigging spoon on one line, and a shiner and glow demon or frostee on another line. A few nice-size perch have been mixed in with the walleye. And a few northern pike are being taken on large shiners and suckers worked in 8-12 foot depths.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Crappies are biting on Pearl and Horseshoe lakes during early evening hours until well past dusk. Use crappie minnows in 12-14 feet of water for the most fish. A few walleye are being pulled from 18 foot depths on Pearl Lake. Rice Lake is giving up fish at the 7- to 10-foot bars. Northern pike can be found in 12-20 feet of water using large shiners and sucker minnows. Seven- to 10-pound catfish are hitting fatheads on Horseshoe Lake. And good-size panfish are coming out of 20 foot depths on Schneider, Pleasant and Goodner lakes. Most area lakes now have roughly 18 inches of ice, however anglers are still asked to use extreme caution around the inlets and outlets.

EDEN VALLEY
Walleye are being pulled from 24 feet of water and deeper on Koronis and Rice lakes. Sunfish are active on Becker Lake. Crappies can be found suspended off the bottom in 15-25 feet on Horseshoe, Rice and Browns lakes. Northern pike action has been great on Clear, Browns and Rice lakes. Large catfish are biting on Long and Horseshoe lakes, with a 15-pound, 4-ounce fish recently reported.

MAPLE LAKE
Rock and Little Maple lakes are giving up numbers of sunfish on jig and waxworm combinations worked in the shallows.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, crappie are active at Harm’s Point, Waconia Bay, and in 25 feet of water off of Pillsbury Reef. Sunfish are biting in the bay and at Harm’s Point. Some of the better walleye locations include Kegg’s Reef on the southwest side, and Anderson’s Reef on the east side. Northern pike are hitting along the milfoil in 11-14 feet of water, with 5- to 9-pound fish being common.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, walleye are active in 14-50 feet of water, with 28 foot depths being a good starting point. Glow jigs tipped with a fathead or rainbow have been best, especially from 3-7 pm. Hit the larger bays such as Wayzata and Brown’s. Crappies and sunnies are active in the shallow bays. Try 8-10 feet of water using a waxworm or euro larvae. And area lakes are giving up northern pike off the deep weed flats found in 18 feet, with shiners and suckers taking the most fish.

CHISAGO CITY
Panfish are biting on the south end of Chisago Lake. Sunrise Lake is also giving up sunnies and crappies. Kroon Lake is producing crappies during afternoon hours in 2-6 feet of water.

STILLWATER
Area lakes are producing panfish and northern pike. Sunfish can be found near the deep weedlines, and crappies are roaming the basins. For numbers of northern pike, try a tip-up and large minnow. On the St. Croix River, crappies are coming out of 36-40 feet of water on crappie minnows. Many of these fish are suspended up to 12 feet off the bottom.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

WABASHA
On the Mississippi River, a few walleye and smaller sauger are being pulled from the Pepin and Stockholm areas. Bluegills, crappies and northern pike are all hitting on Finger Lakes by the Pioneer Club.

MANKATO
For sunfish, try the back of Baker’s and Mud Bays on Washington Lake. Crappies have been most active on German Lake in 25-30 feet of water. Northern pike action has been good on Big Jefferson Lake in 10 feet of water, and on Eagle Lake around the weeds. Lura Lake has been good for larger walleye at the 6- to 9-foot weedlines. And Madison and Loon lakes are producing some nice walleye at night.

WILLMAR
For perch and walleye action, hit Big Kandiyohi Lake. Walleye are also biting on Lake Lillian and some of the smaller, shallower lakes. Green Lake is giving up walleye in 8-45 feet of water. Norway and Games lakes are producing a few panfish and walleye. Other area lakes to check out include Eagle, Florida and Andrew.

MONTEVIDEO
A few large crappies are being pulled from 12 feet of water on Lake Lac Qui Parle. The Minnesota River is giving up both crappies and walleye in 4-12 feet of water.

ORTONVILLE
Perch are starting to bite on Big Stone Lake’s south end, near Kite Island, in 12 feet water. The Minnesota River near the Hwy 75 Dam has been excellent for walleye during evening hours. For the most fish, hit roughly 4-5 feet of water. And hit Long Tom and Artichoke lakes using crappies minnows for a few crappies.