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

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
Shore anglers fishing for loopers on the French River report excellent success.

Kabetogama
Reports have been minimal, however, some of the smaller area lakes are giving up panfish.

International Falls
On Rainy Lake, last weekend’s annual fishing derby in the Sand Bay area resulted in numbers of fish. Numbers of walleye, sauger, crappies and perch were recorded, along with an occassional northern pike and eelpout. Anglers had the most success fishing 25 to 35 foot depths, with most baits and tackle taking fish. Reports of large catch-and-release fish continue to come in from the east end of Rainy Lake. Walleye and northern pike can be found suspended above the reefs using a glow jig tipped with a medium or large shiner minnow. Expect fish to become more active as March progresses, especially after three or four days of warm temperatures.

Grand Rapids
Little Splithand Lake continues to produce some hand-sized crappies. A few bluegills are coming from Bass Lake, as well as from Poole’s Bay on Lake Pokegama.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the South Shore is giving up excellent numbers of walleye, sauger, and perch. Light presentations have been best, including plain red hooks tipped with lunar grubs. Stationary houses on Lake of the Woods can remain on the ice until March 31st, and then portables can be used from dawn until midnight until April 14th. The Northwest Angle and Islands area is also experiencing incredible walleye action. Fish are hitting any color jig tipped with a minnow worked in 24 to 26 feet of water. A 27-pound northern pike was recently landed, and anglers report excellent jumbo perch action as well. There is currently 20 inches of ice on the Rainy River, however the channel is open near Loman, with open water moving towards Franz Jevne. Please remember that the walleye limit on the Rainy River lowered to two fish on March 1.

Blackduck
Most anglers are heading to Upper Red Lake for crappies. For the most fish, try a glow jig or spoon during lowlight hours. Some bluegill are being caught on Pimushe Lake in roughly 20 feet of water.

Bemidji
Perch are becoming more active at the bars found in 20 feet of water on Lake Bemidji. Also try Pike Bay in either 10 or 30 feet of water. Sunfish are being pulled from 10 foot depths on some of the smaller area lakes.

Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, limits of large perch are coming from the deep humps along the north end, especially in depths of 22 to 26 feet, however accessing new areas off the main roads has been a problem. Most of these perch are in the 9- to 11-inch range, with some as large as 13-inches being reported. A Northland Buckshot Rattle Spoon tipped with half a minnow seems to be the best presentation. Try bouncing the minnow off the bottom occasionally to stir up fish. If the fish seem finicky, switch to a plain glow hook and colored splitshot. Drill lots of holes and stay on the move until you locate active perch. Some of the better locations include the outside break off Raven’s Point, one mile off the Big Rock Pile, Moxie’s Hole, Long Bar, and the mid-lake humps off Highbanks. Crappies continue to be pulled from Big Cutfoot Sioux, and for nice-sized bluegills, hit Little Cutfoot Sioux.

Walker
On Leech Lake, good numbers of perch are coming out of 10 to 15 feet of water, especially at Sucker Bay. Try a small jig tipped with half a minnow for the most fish.

Park Rapids
Anglers are having success on Eagle Lake, with numbers of bluegills being pulled from 14 feet of water, and crappies coming from 25 foot depths.

Detroit Lakes
Crappies and bluegills are hitting frostee glow jigs tipped with small crappie minnows or waxworms in 8 to 16 feet of water, especially during late afternoon and early evening hours. Crystal, Little Detroit, Round, Little Pelican, Little Cormorant, Middle Cormorant and Floyd lakes are all giving up fish. Please note that accessing area lakes has become more difficult due to snow drifts.

Pelican Rapids
Sunfish and crappies are hitting small jig and waxworm combinations on Lida, Prairie and Beers lakes.

Battle Lake
Crappies can be found suspended 5 to 6 feet down in 18 to 20 feet of water on West Battle Lake. Elbow Lake is giving up sunnies in 10 to 12 feet of water. For sunnies and crappies, hit North Turtle Lake. And Molly Stark Lake is producing both sunfish and tullibee.

Alexandria
Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from 7 to 8 feet of water on Geneva, Victoria and Mary lakes. For a few larger fish, hit waters less than 12 feet deep on Reno and Darling lakes.

Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, crappies can be found suspended 11 to 12 feet down in 15 feet of water near the Fish Hatchery, especially during evening hours. Towards the city of Villard, numbers of sunfish are being pulled from Leven and Villard lakes on small jigs tipped with waxworms.

Brainerd
Crappies continue to be found suspended 4 to 10 feet off the bottom in 25 to 30 feet of water, related to the deep holes of the smaller area lakes. The best sunfish action has been in 6 to 12 feet of water, in the open pockets of the weeds.

Nisswa
A fair number of smaller crappies, and a few large slabs, are coming from 25 to 40 feet of water, however it appears that these fish are beginning their transition towards shallower waters. The bite has been best after dark, with small crappie minnows and waxworms taking the majority of fish. And some nice-sized bluegills are hitting small ant jigs and waxworms in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, most of the successful perch anglers have been fishing the mud; check the deep edges of the eastern flats, such as Nine-Mile, Boot, Greg’s and Blue Jug, for the most consistent action. The best approach has been a small gold, blue or green jigging spoon tipped with a fathead minnow or waxworm.

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TWIN CITIES VICINITY FISHING REPORTS

St. Cloud
A few nice-sized crappies and limits of sunnies are being pulled from East and Pearl lakes on waxworms and larvae worked in 15 to 20 feet of water. Crappies are coming out of 10 to 15 foot depths on Rice Lake, with glow jigs and crappie minnows working best. And trout are hitting waxworms on Watab Lake in 4 feet of water. And, twelve-inch perch are coming from the north end of Little Rock Lake.

Annandale
Sugar and Cedar lakes are producing crappies during evening hours in 12 to 16 feet of water. Clearwater, Cedar, and Sylvia lakes are giving up sunfish in similar depths.

Eden Valley
Crappies are active in 12 to 16 feet of water on Lake Koronis. The Horseshoe Chain of Lakes is kicking out both crappies and sunnies. Anglers are catching sunfish and a few trout in depths of 4 to 6 feet on Mud Lake near the city of Clear Lake.

Wayzata
On Lake Independence, crappies are being pulled from 35 feet of water. Sunfish are most active along the west side in 6 to 8 feet of water. Lake Sarah is producing sunfish in 12 foot depths, and crappies can be found suspended in 40 foot depths. On Lake Minnetonka, Crystal Bay is giving up both sunnies and crappies in roughly 23 feet of water.

Chisago City
Panfish action has been great on North Center Lake in front of the Government Center and at the Grassy Islands. Sunnies can be found on South Center Lake from Sunset Point to Pancake Island throughout the day. Look for crappies as well during evening hours. Some crappies are hitting in 24 feet of water near the old Dewdrop Inn. And the south end of Chisago Lake continues to produce panfish the entire day from the A-frame to the Eagle’s Nest.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

Mankato
St. James Lake continues to produce sunfish. Washington Lake is giving up sunnies, crappies and perch. For the most perch, hit 25-35 feet of water off Third Point. Sunfish can be found in Baker’s Bay, and the crappies are most active in depths of 30 feet at Second Point.

Montevideo
The crappie bite has been good at Lone Tree Island on Lake Lac qui Parle. Fishing is expected to improve even more with warmer weather. And a few catfish are being reported on the Minnesota River.