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.

The walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass season for 2004 will close February 20 for non-border waters. The season is extended on various border waters–please consult Minnesota DNR fishing rules and regulations for specific dates.

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing http://www.wildlifelicense.com/mn/index.html

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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH
Caribou Lake has been good for panfish, especially at the 20-foot hole. A few walleye are being pulled from 16-20 feet of water on Fish Lake. Some loopers can be found by casting on the French River. And trolling stickbaits out of Two Harbors on Lake Superior is producing a mixed bag of cohos and loopers.

KABETOGAMA
Fishing on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan has been slow, however a few anglers had some success with the perch and northern pike. This coming weekend will be the close of the regular walleye and pike season on Lake Kabetogama, with an extended season remaining on Lake Namakan–a Canadian border lake.

GRAND RAPIDS
The ice is in excellent condition. A few crappies are coming out of Little Splithand, Trout, Bosley and Little Ballclub lakes on glow jigs tipped with very small minnows. Begin in 20 feet of water. Anglers are having a good time fishing for bass at the warm water outlet on the Mississippi River in Cohasset, with numbers of 3- to 4-pound catch-and-release bass being reported.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE
On Lake of the Woods, along the South Shore, fish houses are being moved over 34 feet of water at Big Traverse. One walleye measuring 23-inches was taken 21 feet off the bottom, however this is unusual since cooler temperatures typically causes fish to move towards the bottom. The best approach has been a glow-in-the-dark jig on 4-pound test line with a spring bobber. Anglers report good numbers of eating-size fish in the 13- to 16-inch range, as well as a few lunkers. At the Morris Point area, gold and orange jigs are working best. On the Rainy River, fishing remains good. Many houses are appearing on Baudette Bay and further up river toward the lake. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, fishing remains excellent for walleye, saugers and jumbo perch, with parties limiting out.

BLACKDUCK
The Upper Red Lake crappie bite is picking up at night. For the most fish, try a glow jig in 13-15 feet of water. On Blackduck Lake, anglers report a few walleye hitting in depths of 15-20 feet.

BEMIDJI
Lake Bemidji is producing perch in front of Library Park. On Lake Plantagenet, perch are hitting smaller glow jigs tipped with a fathead minnow in 20-25 feet of water.

DETROIT LAKES
The accesses onto area lakes have become more stable with the cooler temperatures. Many of the panfish have moved towards shallower waters, and can be found in 8-12 feet of water at the green cabbage or coontail vegetation. Check the pockets using a frostee glow jig tipped with a waxworm for numbers of crappies and bluegill. There is a good perch bite going on Little Cormorant and Height of Land lakes. For sunfish, try Little Detroit, Round, Little Pelican, Floyd, Cotton, Prairie, Rose and Crystal lakes.

BATTLE LAKE
Northern pike are being pulled from Clitheral, North Turtle and Torgerson lakes. Large bass are also hitting on North Turtle Lake. Walleye are taking shiners on West Battle Lake in 20-25 feet of water, especially after 10 p.m. For crappies, hit Battle Lake. And Ottertail Lake is producing some walleye and perch.

ALEXANDRIA
Area lakes are giving up good numbers of bluegill in the weeds. During the evening hours, try moving deeper and fishing in roughly 20 feet of water. Some of the better lakes include Mary and Le Homme Dieu. For pike, switch to a tip-up.

STARBUCK
On Lake Minnewaska, a few sunnies and crappies are coming from the Glenwood end. Sunfish are active during the day at the Fish Hatchery, with an occasional northern pike hitting tip-ups and sucker minnows. Crappies can be found suspended 10-12 feet down in 15 feet of water in front of Torgy’s Night Club–evening hours have been best. A few walleye are being taken throughout the day using fatheads on Lake Emily.

BRAINERD
Sunnies and crappies continue to provide the most action on area lakes. The sunnies are in 6-12 feet of water in the open pockets of the weed beds. The best approach has been a small teardrop tipped with eurolarva. Crappies are in the deep water holes next to underwater structure like sunken islands, points and saddle areas. Look for these fish to be suspended 4-8 feet off the bottom. They are easy to find using a depthfinder. For northern pike, hit 16-20 foot depths and fish just 6-10 feet down. Mild temperatures have allowed anglers to leave their permanent houses and travel to unchartered territory with their portables.

CROSSLAKE
Walleye anglers are having success on Lake Pelican and Crosslake. Try shiner minnows jigged on rattling spoons for the most fish. Northern pike action has also been good, with most fish found along the weedlines and off the points. A few crappies are being pulled from Mission Lake, as well as other smaller area lakes. The best approach has been a glow jig and minnow. Anglers report lots of trout being marked in 20-45 feet of water.

ISLE
On Lake Mille Lacs, some good catches continue to come from the deep gravel and the southern mud flats. Stick with the tried and true methods: a fathead and jigging spoon on one line, and a shiner and glow jig on another line. The area near Indian Point has started to give up some nice perch on small frostee spoons tipped with a waxworm. A few scattered large northern pike continue to cruise the shoreline reefs, and hitting jig lines. You still have some time to catch walleye, but the season closes February 20th. And, all dark houses, fish houses and shelters must be off Lake Mille Lacs by midnight, February 28th. After March 1st, portables may be used one hour before sunrise until midnight.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD
On Pearl and Pleasant lakes, panfish are hitting glow jigs tipped with multi-colored larvae or waxworms. Lower Spunk Lake is producing sunnies and medium-size crappies. Northern pike are active on most area lakes, and hitting large shiners and suckers. A few crappies can be found suspended in 22 feet of water on Goodner and Rice lakes using crappie minnows. The catfish bite has been a blast on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes. Try Big Watab Lake for some nice-size trout.

ANNANDALE
Clearwater Lake is giving up some nice northern pike, with spear anglers reporting success. A few crappies are coming in on the head of a minnow worked in front of the bait shop in 40 feet of water. Sunnies are also active in front of the shop, and in the bays in 8-12 feet of water. The shoreline is a bit slushy, but vehicles continue to travel on and off the ice with little difficulty.

WACONIA
Northern pike are active at the weed edges on Lake Waconia. Sunnies are being pulled from the weed edges at Waconia Bay, Harm’s Point, and Anderson’s Reef. Crappies are biting along the north shore weed edge and at Anderson’s Reef, with fish also found suspended in Wagner’s Bay. And anglers are enjoying all the recent bass action.

WAYZATA
On Lake Minnetonka, change your bait and depths often, and drill lots of holes. Remember, just one more weekend of winter gamefish season!

CHISAGO CITY
Sunfish remain active on North Center Lake at the northern rock points in 18 feet of water. Sunnies are also being pulled from the middle of North Lindstrom Lake. Crappies are coming from Kroon Lake during lowlight hours. For northern pike, hit Sunrise Lake, as well as Slimmer’s Slough on Chisago Lake.

STILLWATER
On the St. Croix River, walleye and sauger remain active in 22-32 feet of water at the sand bottoms. Walleye have been finicky and appear to want a single presentation, such as a swimming lure, jig or Swedish pimple with a minnow, or a fathead under a bobber. A few crappies are coming from 36-40 feet of water on crappie minnows, with many of these fish found suspended up to 12 feet off the bottom.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

MANKATO
Panfish remain active on Lake Washington, however anglers are advised NOT to drive their cars or trucks out onto the lake. Travel by foot, or slowly by four-wheeler or snowmobile. On Duck Lake, anglers are taking walleye and crappies, including some nice-size fish. Northern pike can be found on Duck Lake in 10 feet of water. Loon Lake has been best for walleye at night. St. James Lake is kicking out perch in 7-9 feet of water.

MONTEVIDEO
A few crappies are being pulled from Lake Lac Qui Parle, and some walleye can be found at the rock piles. The Minnesota River is just beginning to open up.

ORTONVILLE
Look for walleye, crappies and northern pike in roughly 10 feet of water near the County Park on Artichoke Lake.