The walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth and smallmouth bass season for 2004 closed 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, MN
Fishing slowed last week, but with warmer temperatures and sunshine, the sunfish and crappie bite should improve. A few crappies can be found on Caribou Lake during evening hours. During afternoon hours, hit the French River for a mixed bag of coho salmon and loopers.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN
On Rainy Lake, catch-and-release walleye action has been good on the east end–seek out your favorite summer reef, drill a few holes, and drop your lines. Large walleye, including some keepers, can be found suspended on top of the reefs. The recommended approach is a large shiner minnow on a glow jig. Numbers of keeper-size walleye and sauger are being reported at the Sand Bay area. Successful anglers are using small minnows and glow jigs in 27-32 feet of water. Anglers are having some luck with the crappies near Bushy Head Island. For the most fish, try a small minnow or minnow head.

GRAND RAPIDS, MN
Crappies are active on Little Splithand Lake, especially during evening hours. The best approach has been a small minnow and glow jig in 18 feet of water. The Rice Lake bite is expected to pick up shortly. Perch can be found on Jay Gould Lake.

KABETOGAMA, MN
While the 2004 walleye and northern pike season has ended, Lake Namakan, a Canadian border water, remains open until mid-April. Although there was quite a bit of snowmobile traffic last weekend, some anglers reported taking a few walleye and crappies. Slushy conditions have limited fishing to bays near the snowmobile trail. And anglers report a good northern pike bite just outside the bays in 12-20 feet of water.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE, MN
On Lake Of The Woods, the Northwest Angle and Islands area continues to produce excellent numbers of walleye, sauger and perch. The best action has been around the reefs just south of Oak Island’s shoreline. Along the South Shore, anglers are taking a mixed bag of walleye, sauger, tullibee, huge jumbo perch, and even a few eelpout about 1 mile off shore in the Long Point area. The Rainy River has also been a hot spot for walleye, especially around the Birchdale area. Northern pike are slamming frozen ciscos in all of the feeder streams. The Rainy River now has only two feet of ice on it so the ice should be off the river shortly. The channel is open at Loman.
WASKISH, MN
On Upper Red Lake, perch reports have been good, with anglers having the most success using glow jigs and glow spoons.

BEMIDJI, MN
Perch and sunnies are being pulled from Grassy Island, the DNR Bar, and in front of the university on Lake Bemidji. Grant, Larson and Midge lakes are giving up crappies. For sunnies, crappies and perch, try Grace Lake. Depths of 20-30 feet of water seem to be best.

BENA, MN
On Lake Winnibigoshish, large perch are being taken from Long Bar, Raven’s Point, Rebel Bar, the Snag Hole, and 1-2 miles south and east of Stoney Point. Stay on the move until you locate active fish. Some of the best jumbo perch, crappie and sunfish angling of the winter season is in the next 4-5 weeks. Crappie fishing has improved on Big Cutfoot Sioux, and several limits were recently reported. Try 25-29 feet of water in West Seeleye Bay, with some fish pulled from 32 foot depths. Other area lakes to check out include Portage, Six Mile and Bowstring.

PARK RAPIDS, MN
Crappie action has been best on Big Mantrap Lake, with fish found suspended in 25 feet of water. For bluegills, hit 12 foot depths on the Crow Wing Chain of Lakes using waxworms.

DETROIT LAKES, MN
The crappie bite has been good on Prairie, Lizzie, Round, Little Pelican and Lida lakes. Look for fish up along the edge of the green coontail and cabbage using a lindy frostee glow jig tipped with a small minnow or waxworm. Late afternoon and evening hours have been best. Bluegills are active in the pockets of the weeds. For the most fish, try lindy pounder jigs and waxworms on Little Cormorant, Prairie, Little Detroit, Little Pelican, Round, Floyd and Crystal lakes.

BATTLE LAKE, MN
Crappies are being pulled from Battle Lake. South Turtle, Rush and Norway lakes are producing crappies and sunnies. For perch, hit Ottertail Lake, with some nice-size fish taken from depths of 12-17 feet on crappie minnows.

ALEXANDRIA, MN
Bluegills are active throughout the day, and crappie action has been best at night. While most area lakes are producing some fish, the best reports are coming from Le Homme Dieu and Geneva lakes–work 8-12 foot depths using small jigs tipped with waxworms or maggots.

BRAINERD, MN
Most of the crappies can be found suspended over the deeper holes on the smaller area lakes, with fish found from 3-8 feet off the bottom. The crappies have been easy to spot using a depthfinder. Begin in the deepest water, drill holes back towards the shallows, and look for these suspended fish. The best presentation has been a small teardrop tipped with a few eurolarvae or a small minnow.

NISSWA, MN
Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from many of the smaller area lakes. Check out Mission, Nisswa and Upper Gull lakes for some nice-size fish. Anglers are having the most success using a small crappie minnow, or 2 to 3 waxworms or maggots on a hook. For sunnies, small marmooska jigs have worked well. Crappies are hitting small feather jigs, as well as plain hook and bobber rigs. Some of the best fishing of the season will be enjoyed from now until open water.

ISLE, MN
On Lake Mille Lacs, some nice perch reports are coming from the deeper water off the mud flats. The Boot and Sherman’s are good starting points. For the most fish, try a hawger spoon or slender spoon. Please remember that all the dark houses, fish houses and shelters must be off Mille Lacs by midnight, February 28th. As of March 1st, portables may be used from one hour before sunrise to midnight, and the new 2005 fish and game licenses are required.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

ST. CLOUD, MN
Sunfish are hitting waxworms and eurolarvae about 15 feet down, just off the bottom. The larger sunnies are coming in just before dark. Numbers of smaller fish can be found suspended at 10 feet. A few crappies are coming in on crappie minnows on Rice and Pearl lakes. A few large slabs have been reported on Grand Lake, and the Horseshoe Chain continues to give up both crappies and catfish.

ANNANDALE, MN
A few crappies continue to be taken in front of the bait shop on Clearwater Lake. For the most fish, try a minnow head in 40 feet of water. Sunnies are biting in the bays in 8-12 feet of water.

EDEN VALLEY, MN
Sunfish action has been best on Lake Koronis in 6-12 feet of water. For crappies, hit Cedar Island Lake. Mud Lake produced a few lake trout last week.

WACONIA, MN
On Lake Waconia, crappie and sunfish action remains great.

WAYZATA, MN
On Lake Minnetonka, sunnies are hitting glow jigs and waxworms at the weeds in 10-12 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended in 30-35 foot depths using minnows. Some anglers report that the smaller area lakes are out-producing the larger lakes.

CHISAGO CITY, MN
The sunfish bite has been best at the sunken islands near the Government Center on North Center Lake. Also try the south end of Chisago Lake, from the A-frame to County Road 83. For the most fish, hit 6-13 foot depths in the bays. North Lindstrom Lake is reported to have a good crappie bite.

STILLWATER, MN
On the St. Croix River, a few crappies are coming from 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, MN
Sunfish action has been best at the Finger Lakes. On the Mississippi River, the area near Wilcox has been best for crappies.

MANKATO, MN
St. James Lake is giving up panfish on top of the weeds in the shallow waters. A few crappies are being pulled from Miller’s Point on Madison Lake, especially at night. For perch, hit 10 foot depths on Jefferson and Washington lakes. Please note that driving is now dangerous at Baker’s Bay on Washington Lake.

MONTEVIDEO, MN
On Lake Lac qui Parle, a few crappies are hitting near Lone Tree Island, especially between 5pm and 8pm.

ORTONVILLE, MN
There is still one more weekend to fish for walleye on Big Stone Lake since this border water remains open until February 28th.