The influx of northern owls continues in northeastern Minnesota, with GREAT GRAY OWLS and NORTHERN HAWK OWLS being easy to find in the vicinity of Duluth and along the north shore of Lake Superior. One of the easiest places to view these owls is the Sax-Zim Bog area along St. Louis County Roads 52 and 7. A Great Gray Owl has been seen north of Chaska, in Carver County since December 28th. The owl is at the marsh found at the junction of Bavaria Road and Engler Boulevard, just west of State Highway 41. And on January 2nd, a Great Gray Owl was in the Minnesota Valley Refuge north of Blue Lake, in Scott County. From the Minnesota Valley Refuge parking lot on State Highway 101 east of the Blue Lake sewage treatment plant, walk the trail north to the Minnesota River, then follow it upstream for about 800 feet to a small clearing. The owl was in a snag here, ten feet from the path.
With the colder temperatures and deeper snows, BOREAL OWLS are beginning to show up in the area as well. On January 6th, a roosting Boreal Owl was in Ben Yokel’s yard in rural Melrude, in St. Louis County. Another Boreal Owl was along Stoney Point Road in eastern St. Louis County on the same day, one-tenth of a mile northeast of the intersection with Alseth Road. On January 5th, Mike Hendrickson found a Boreal Owl in west Duluth, in St. Louis County. To view this owl, begin at the junction of Grand and Clyde Avenues, go left on Clyde Avenue, and drive to 88th Avenue. Turn left for 1 1/2 blocks to the ravine on the left side of the road. The owl was roosting in a alder bush about five feet off the ground.

On January 4th, an adult GLAUCOUS GULL was on the ice on the Minnesota River immediately adjacent to the Black Dog Power Plant in Dakota County.

Two SPRUCE GROUSE were seen three miles south of Greenwood Lake along Lake County Road 2 on December 31st.

On January 5th, a VARIED THRUSH was seen at Howell and Prior Avenues in St. Paul, in Ramsey County. And the Varied Thrush reported in Falcon Heights, in Ramsey County was still present on the 6th, as was the Varied Thrush reported in Bloomington at the corner of West 110 Street and Sheridan. On the afternoon of January 5th, a male Varied Thrush was in Mark Junghans yard along Marmoset Street in Ramsey, in Anoka County. On the 3rd, there was a Varied Thrush at a home along Devils Track Lake, about twelve miles northwest of Grand Marais in Cook County, -no further information is available.

A CAROLINA WREN was just up the hill from the Old Cedar Avenue bridge parking area in the city of Bloomington on January 1st. The bird was in the grape vines directly across the driveway to the garden center.

And last, a HOARY REDPOLL was at the Watson home in Grand Marais, in Cook County, on December 30th. And two Hoary Redpolls were at the feeding station in the town of Isabella, in Lake County, on the 31st.

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
A few walleye are being pulled from the St. Louis River, and various species are coming out of area lakes. Numbers have been good, but not a lot of large fish are being reported.

ELY
Ice conditions improved dramatically over the holidays. Many anglers headed to the BWCA on New Year’s Day for the Trout Opener, while other anglers await the January 15th opener on lakes outside the BWCA. Farm Lake is giving up large crappies on minnows worked in 15-25 feet of water. The key is to stay on the move until you locate fish. A few walleye are being taken by crappie anglers. Huge northern pike roam Farm Lake. The best approach currently is a large sucker minnow worked in the channels and off the points at dusk. Make sure to use suitable tackle and drill a large enough hole to bring them through the ice! Limits of crappies and some nice-size walleye are being taken from White Iron Lake near Silver Rapids Lodge. There is about 12 inches of snow covering area land and lakes, and lake travel consists of mostly ATVs and snowmobiles. Anglers are asked to use caution, and consult with local bait shops or resorts for the most current ice conditions.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS
On Rainy Lake, anglers are catching walleye and northern pike near the reef structure in 30-40 feet of water. The best approach has been a glow jig tipped with small- to medium-size shiner. Local anglers familiar with the lake are now driving out onto the ice. If you are not familiar with Rainy Lake, please use a snowmobile or ATV during the early ice fishing season. There are numerous ice houses and anglers with portables at Sand Bay. Walleye anglers are having success using buckshot rattle spoons, jigging rapalas, and simple hook and minnow combinations in 15-23 feet of water.

KABETOGAMA
Another week of wild weather led to mixed results for anglers and spear fishermen. In addition to major temperature fluctuations, the area was hit with 8 inches of new snow, resulting in a 14-inch base for snowmobiles and difficult lake travel for anglers. Spearing anglers are now finding fish in both 6-10 feet of water, and in 9-14 foot depths. A teaser lure along with a live decoy seems to be working best. Anglers are setting up portables just outside the bay entrances and in areas with current. The best approach has been a glow jig and minnow. The lake surface is slushy, limiting travel once off the main trails. One of the best spots for angling at this time is near the mouth of Sullivan Bay.

GRAND RAPIDS
Most area lakes are covered by roughly 1 or more feet of ice. Crappies have been most active in the smaller area lakes in 15-20 feet of water. The best approach has been a frostee jig and small minnow. Bowstring, Portage and Splithand lakes are producing fish during evening hours on glow jigs. Splithand and Pokegama lakes are giving up a few walleye during lowlight hours on small shiners and glow jigs worked in roughly 18 feet of water. Northern pike remain very active on most area lakes, with tip-ups and medium-size suckers working best.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, the ice is now more than 20 inches thick. Fish houses are out and the roads are marked and plowed. Cars, trucks, bombardiers, snowmobiles and ATV’s are all traveling Lake of the Woods. Snowmobilers are enjoying over 1 foot of snow that fell last week. The Rainy River has roughly 10 inches of ice overall. Anglers are fishing in 18 feet of water and finding a slow current, making for good fishing conditions. Walleye measuring 24- and 27-inches were recently caught and released on the river. Northern pike can be found using tip-ups, with large fish, including 11- and 18-pounders recently caught and released. Please note that there continues to be dangerous ice on the Rainy River and travel is not recommended until thicker ice conditions prevail. On the South Shore, anglers are finding equal amounts of saugers and walleye. Some parties report seeing over 100 fish a day and limits for each person fishing! The best approach has been red-eyed jigs tipped with a minnow worked in 26-30 foot depths. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleye, saugers and jumbo perch are keeping anglers busy. The trail from Wheeler’s Point to Garden Island has been marked and is ready for use.

WASKISH
On Upper Red Lake, limits of crappies are being taken throughout the day. And, full-size cars and trucks are now being allowed onto the lake.

BLACKDUCK
A few walleye are being pulled from 10-14 feet of water on Gull Lake.

BENA
On Lake Winnibigoshish, limits of fish are being taken after 3 p.m. on a buckshot rattle spoon tipped with half a chub or a 4- to 6-inch dropper. On cloudy days with stable weather, action is best early in the day. The key is to stay on the move until you locate fish. Walleye and perch are also hitting jiggle bugs and colored splitshots tipped with a smaller minnow. Some of the better locations include the humps 2-1/2 miles west of High Banks Resort, the north end of Bena Bar, the tip of Raven’s Point, and the edge of the River channel off Tamarack Point. Large perch are starting to show up on the edges of the main bars in waters as deep as 29-33 feet.

PARK RAPIDS
Walleye can be found in 18 feet of water on Fishhook and Long lakes. Bluegill action has been best on the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes in 12 foot depths using waxworms. Try a sucker minnow in 14 feet of water on Big Mantrap Lake for northern pike.

DETROIT LAKES
Area lakes are covered in approximately 15-20 inches of solid ice. Panfish remain active on Prairie, Lida, Ida, Little Pelican, Franklin, Floyd, Toad and Sand lakes, with a lindy frostee and waxworm working best. Northern pike are active on area lakes and hitting tip-ups and sucker minnows at the weedlines. Big Detroit Lake recently produced a few large catch-and-release walleye on jigging spoons and shiner minnows worked along the deep, sharp breaks in 18-26 foot depths. Lida, Pelican, Lizzie, Big Cormorant, Floyd and Strawberry lakes are also producing fish.

BATTLE LAKE
Anglers are catching a few walleye on West Battle Lake in both 20 feet and 35 feet of water. Crappies and sunnies are biting on North and South Turtle lakes. Try 18-20 foot depths for the most fish. On Ottertail Lake, some 11- to 12-inch perch are coming in on fatheads.

ALEXANDRIA
Walleye are biting during evening hours on lakes Le Homme Dieu and Miltona in 17-22 feet of water, with shiner minnows taking the most fish. Panfish action has been best on Le Homme Dieu and Geneva lakes in the weeds. For northern pike, hit depths of 8-16 feet on any area lake.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye and perch are being pulled from depths of 12-18 feet. For the most fish, try a jig tipped with a fathead or shiner throughout the day. Walleye are active on Lake Emily, with fatheads taking the most fish. Some good pike reports are also coming from Lake Emily. Try 12-15 foot depths on Lake Reno for some good walleye action. Panfish are becoming more active at the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska.

BRAINERD
Ice conditions continue to improve, and the sub-zero temperatures last week added plenty of ice on area lakes. Most of these lakes currently have between 15-20 inches of ice. Gull, Pelican and Round lakes continue to produce numbers of smaller walleye, as well as an occasional trophy-size fish during evening hours. A nice 31-inch walleye was recently pulled from Gull Lake. North Long Lake is giving up quality-size fish, but few numbers. Shiner minnows on setlines are producing fish in 18-28 feet of water. Also try a jigging spoon tipped with a whole fathead minnow or just the minnow head. A few walleye and northern pike are hitting large golden shiners under a bobber or tip-up. Northern pike action has been good on many of the smaller area lakes, but most have been small. For the most fish, work the weed edges in 12-18 feet of water, and set your bait about 3-4 feet off the bottom, especially on Lake Edwards. Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from Hubert, Upper Gull, Gladstone, Mission, Nisswa, North Long and Sylvan lakes on small glow jigs tipped with maggots.

CROSSLAKE
The best walleye action is in 20-28 feet of water, especially during lowlight hours. Glow spoons tipped with a fathead or rainbow minnow worked near the bottom have been best. Northern pike action remains good near the weedlines and along the points. For the most fish, try large pike minnows on tip-ups in 6-16 feet of water. Crappies can be found on most area lakes during evening hours using small glow jigs tipped with waxworms or crappie minnows in 15-20 feet of water.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, most of the lake is covered in over 15 inches of ice, however anglers are encouraged to still call ahead before venturing out to avoid any trouble spots. Car and truck traffic is common now, with many of the resorts plowing road systems of 3 or more miles. The walleye bite remains good even though last weekend was very busy! Most of the walleye are off the gravel and mudflats in 22-27 feet of water. For the most fish, try a jigging rapala and fathead minnow, a weasel tipped with a creep worm, or a frostee and small golden shiner. Chartreuse and glow-colors have been the top producers. A few northern pike are coming in on large shiners and suckers worked in 8-12 feet of water. Perch action and size has been inconsistent lately.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
Walleye and crappies are very active throughout the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes in 12-15 feet of water. Golden shiners and crappie minnows are working best. Goodner Lake panfish are hitting glow jigs tipped with a waxworm or euro larvae in depths of 7-10 feet off the weeds. Northern pike are active on Pearl and Pleasant Lakes, with tip-ups and sucker minnows worked off the weeds in 12 feet of water taking the most fish. Schneider Lake is giving up numbers of panfish on glow jigs and waxworms worked in 7 feet of water. On Rice Lake, anglers are taking crappies and walleye just before dark on golden shiners.

ST. CLOUD
Little Rock Lake is giving up crappies and walleye near the 19-foot hole. Briggs and Julia lakes are producing some sunfish and smaller crappies. Long Lake by Sherwood Shores has been best for northern pike. Hit 12 feet of water for the most fish.

ANNANDALE
Crappies and northern pike are biting on John Lake. For pike, crappies and sunnies, hit Pleasant Lake. Northern pike are most active in roughly 10-18 feet of water. Crappies can also be found on Clearwater Lake in 32-35 foot depths. Clearwater, Sylvia and Cedar lakes are producing walleye in depths of 21-28 feet.

WACONIA
On Lake Waconia, crappies over 1 pound are being caught in the bay. Large walleye are biting at the weedlines in 10-15 feet of water at Anderson’s and by the beach, with 7- and 9-pound fish recently reported. Large northern pike are hitting shiner minnows, with 1 weighing 11-pounds recently taken. One of the better locations is Center Reef. Sunnies are active at Pillsbury Reef.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, there is roughly 16 inches of ice. Walleye are active in the big bays in 26 feet of water. For the most fish, try a fathead or shiner during late afternoon hours. Northern pike can be found at the 12- to 15-foot weedlines using a sucker or shiner. A few crappies are coming in on glow jigs tipped with a minnow worked in 20 feet of water during evenings. Sunfish are active on the west side of the lake in 8-10 foot depths, and hitting waxworms and euro larvae.

CHISAGO CITY
On Chisago Lake, work the A-Frame and Eagle’s Nest areas for sunnies and northern pike during the day. At night, crappies and walleye are biting in 12 feet of water. Crappies can be found during the day on South Lindstrom Lake behind the Dinnerbell. Walleye can also be found there at dusk. On South Center Lake, off Sunset Point on to Pancake Island, sunnies and crappies are active throughout the day. Crappies are most active at night off Sunset Point. The far north end of North Center Lake is producing crappies and walleye on fathead and shiner minnows. Catch-and-release pike are being caught using tip-ups on Sunrise Lake.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, a few crappies are coming from 36-40 feet of water on crappie minnows. Many of these fish can be found suspended up to 12 feet off the bottom. They are sometimes hard to pick out amongst the many shad baitfish. Ice is now up to 8 inches thick in some areas on the St. Croix, however many areas of open water remain. At Pool #4, good numbers of walleye and sauger are being reported. And, lakes in the St. Croix Valley are producing panfish and northern pike. Sunfish can still be found near the deep weedlines, and crappies are roaming the basins. Northern pike are being caught using tip-ups and large minnows. Most area lakes now have 8 inches of ice. Anglers are encouraged to use extreme caution on the St. Croix River, and area lakes.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

WABASHA
On the Mississippi River, a good sunny and crappie bite is being reported at Wilcox, Finger Lakes near the supper club, and Nelson Wisconsin Dike Road. On Lake Pepin, walleye are hitting jigging rapalas and minnows.

MANKATO
Numbers of sunfish are being pulled from the shallows of Mud Bay on Washington Lake. Try fishing for crappies during evening hours. Walleye are biting between the 2nd and 3rd Points in 18-25 feet of water. Loon Lake has been good for walleye in 5 foot depths at night. German Lake crappies are hitting in 25-32 feet of water, with a few walleye also being taken. The west end of Lake Francis is giving up a few pike and crappies.

WILLMAR
Green Lake is producing a few walleye in varied depths. Good walleye action is being reported on Diamond Lake in 15 feet of water. Other lakes to check out include Ringo, Long, Lillian and Wagonga. For the most fish, hit 10 foot depths at night. For panfish, try Florida, Norway, Games and Andrew lakes. A mixed bag of fish is being pulled from Nest Lake.

ORTONVILLE
Artichoke Lake is producing crappies in the narrows on crappie minnows worked in 7-8 feet of water during evening hours. Anglers are taking an occasional walleye as well. Lake Lac qui Parle is giving up walleye in depths of 6-7 feet. On Big Stone Lake, your best bet for walleye action is the north end by Hornstein’s in 8-9 feet of water.

Following public input, DNR to implement revised regulations on Leech Lake

After receiving strong support during a public comment period that ended Dec. 27, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that it will implement size and bag limit regulation changes for walleye on Leech Lake.

The experimental regulation is designed to protect walleye brood stock in the lake, which DNR biologists and anglers are concerned about due to weak year classes since 1997.

As of the walleye opener, scheduled for May 14, 2005, the new regulations on Leech Lake will allow total possession of four walleye, only one of which can exceed 26 inches. Walleye in a protective slot of 18 inches to 26 inches must be returned to the water.

The DNR decided to narrow the protected slot limit based on comments from the public, according to Henry Drewes, DNR northwest regional fisheries manager.

“The original proposal was an 18-28 inch protected slot,” said Drewes. “After the angling community expressed interest in keeping a few more larger fish, we took another look at our population models and determined that we could still accomplish our goal of protecting a significant amount of brood stock if we modified the slot on the upper end to 26 inches.”

The DNR received more than 270 comments related to the walleye regulation proposal, of which about 81 percent were in favor of the protected slot, reduced daily possession limits and the one-over limit, according to Harlan Fierstine, Walker area fisheries supervisor. In addition, more than 400 Walker-area residents purchased space in the local newspaper to express their support for the regulations.

“We got the message loud and clear that people want to see a proactive, holistic management plan for improving the walleye fishery on the lake,” said Fierstine. “And the plan people want to see in place this spring includes walleye regulations, proactive cormorant management, experimental walleye fry stocking and habitat protection. We’ve responded with a five-year plan to address all of those issues, and there is solid public acceptance and support for the plan.”

The effectiveness of the new regulations will be evaluated over the next five years through annual walleye population monitoring and angler surveys. The DNR will consider a different regulation suite in five years if biologists find evidence of improved walleye year class production.

In addition to the walleye regulations, the DNR is working with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program to initiate stepped-up control measures for the rapidly expanding cormorant colony on the lake. DNR staff is also finalizing the details of a plan to stock the lake with five million marked walleye fry during each of the next three years and developing short-and long-term fish habitat goals with the Leech Lake Association, local units of government and others.

“By addressing the problem on multiple fronts, we are improving our chances of success,” said Drewes. “The four-part plan is all about reducing risk. If one element of our plan doesn’t have the desired result or isn’t improving the fishery as fast as we’d like, we’ll already have the other elements in place to help us achieve our goals. Approval of the regulations is the first piece of the plan we’ve put in place. With regulations in place to protect brood stock, we can focus on pulling together the other pieces of our management plan.”

Fish houses, dark houses and portable shelters placed on the ice must have proper identification

It’s a sign of the season, fish houses, dark houses and portable shelters dotting Minnesota waters as anxious anglers ready for another ice fishing season.

“Ice fishing is among the most popular Minnesota winter activities, with about 140,000 ice fishing shelter licenses sold last year,” said DNR Chief Conservation Officer Mike Hamm, “but with this opportunity comes some responsibility.”

Hamm said all shelters, which include dark houses, fish houses and portable shelters, placed on the ice of Minnesota waters must have the complete name and address, driver’s license number or MDNR number that’s issued to the individual through the Electronic Licensing System(ELS) system plainly and legibly displayed in readily visible locations on the outside in letters and figures at least 2 inches in height.

Dark houses, fish houses and portable shelters placed on the ice for shelter while fishing must be licensed, except that a license is not required on border waters with Wisconsin, Iowa and South Dakota. The tag, furnished with the license, must be attached to the exterior in a readily visible location.

Hamm also urged snowmobilers and ATV riders to be aware of fish houses partially or completely hidden by snow. “Night riders should be very alert and slow down, you may hit one of these before you ever see it. So drive at a speed which will allow you time to see potential hazards and avoid them,” Hamm said.

The following regulations apply to fish houses, dark houses, and portable shelters used on all Minnesota waters, unless noted in the 2004 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Handbook.

- Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must have a door that can be opened from the outside at any time when in use.

- No person may erect a dark house, fish house, or shelter within 10 feet of an existing dark house, fish house, or shelter.

- Fish houses left on the ice overnight need to have at least 2 square inches of reflective material on each side of the house.

- Portable dark houses, fish houses, and shelters may be used for fishing within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), but must be removed from the ice each night. The structure must be removed from the BWCAW each time the occupant leaves the BWCAW.