The walleye, northern pike, muskie, large and smallmouth bass season for 2004/2005 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.

And the opening dates for the 2005/2006 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, -May 14; largemouth and smallmouth bass, -May 28; and for muskie-June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.

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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TWIN CITIES FISHING REPORTS

ST.CLOUD, MN
Panfish can be found in the shallows just below the ice, especially on East and Pearl lakes. While not always easy to find, freshwater shrimp has been the bait of choice, otherwise waxworms will work just fine. For crappies, try Rice, Clear or Grand lakes using white larvae or crappie minnows in 10-15 feet of water. Perch anglers are having succes on Little Rock Lake.

ANNANDALE, MN
John, Clearwater and Sugar lakes are kicking out sunfish in 10-15 feet of water. Crappies can be found suspended in 20-24 feet of water on Clearwater, Pleasant and Cedar lakes. For the most fish, use a glow jig tipped with eurolarvae.

EDEN VALLEY, MN
Sunfish are biting on Cedar Island and Becker lakes in 6-10 feet of water. Sunnies and crappies are hitting on Long Lake. Crappies are also being reported in 18-19 feet of water on Brown’s Lake. Catfish are active throughout the entire Horseshoe Chain of Lakes.

WAYZATA, MN
On Lake Independence, crappies can be found suspended 20 feet down in 40 feet of water using glow jigs and minnows during the day. Crappies and sunnies are active on Lake Sarah, wtih fish found suspended in 30 feet of water. For the most fish, try ants, spiders, waxworms and flipper jigs. On Lake Minnetonka, good panfish reports are coming from the North Arm and Black Lake.

CHISAGO CITY, MN
An excellent panfish and crappie bite is being reported on Chisago Lake, and at Pancake Island on South Center Lake.

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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

WABASHA, MN
On the Mississippi River, panfish are hitting waxworms at Third Lake near the Pioneer Club. Anglers are catching a mix of walleye and sauger at the Alma Dam. For the most fish, try a floating jig head and minnow in 30 feet of water. Northern pike are biting on Peterson’s Lake in 6 feet of water.

MANKATO, MN
Sunfish are biting on St. James Lake. On Washington Lake, sunfish action has been best at Baker and Mud bays. For crappies, try 20 foot depths at Second Point on Washington.

MONTEVIDEO, MN
Crappie action has been great on Lake Lac Qui Parle, especially using minnows at Balen’s Bay and Watson Rock. Catfish are active on the Minnesota River.

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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

DULUTH, MN
Bluegills are taking waxworms from 8-10 feet of water on Caribou Lake. Crappies are biting on Headquarters, Nickels and Island lakes. Perch action has been best on Pike Lake, with fish hitting crappie minnows. On Lake Superior, loopers and salmon are being taken on waxworms and looper bugs.

KABETOGAMA, MN
Slush has developed in some areas due to mild temperatures–anglers are asked to use caution. The more traveled areas of the lakes remain solid. Crappie action has been pretty consistent on Kabetogama and Namakan lakes during the day. Northern pike are active throughout Lake Namakan.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN
On Rainy Lake, Sand Bay continues to produce fish, and ice conditions remain conducive to travel. Walleye are exhibiting signs of their spring appetite. At present, the best approach is a small minnow on a simple hook or glow-in-the-dark jig. The summer reefs have been good for catch-and-release walleye and northern pike. Work the tops or sides of the reefs, with walleye found suspended at 30-40 feet.

GRAND RAPIDS, MN
The crappie bite has picked up on Bowstring Lake. Anglers are also catching some nice-sized perch in shallow waters. Little Splithand Lake has been good for a few crappies, especially during evening hours. There have been reports of some large crappies coming from Big Splithand Lake. For the most fish, try a glow jig and crappie minnow. Sugar Lake, near Vermilion, is giving up both crappies and bluegills on minnows, waxworms and eurolarvae.

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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA FISHING REPORTS

BAUDETTE, MN
On Lake of the Woods, along the South Shore, walleye can be be found in 30-35 feet of water. Around Morris Point, fish are biting in 26-28 feet of water early in the day, and in 15-18 foot depths towards evening. Numbers of northern pike are coming from 8-12 feet of water in the bays, inlets and feeder stream areas of Zippel Bay. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, walleye action around the reefs near Bridges and Garden Islands has been excellent. Jumbo perch are coming from the area near Stony Point on larger spoons. The Rainy River is now open all the way to Franz Jevne State Park, and open water is only 3- to 4-miles from Birchdale. The lake trail from Wheeler’s Point to Oak Island is groomed, and in the best condition in the area.

BLACKDUCK, MN
Large jumbo perch are biting on Blackduck Lake. Most perch are being pulled from 14-20 feet of water, however, some perch can be found in 6-10 feet of water. Bluegills and crappies have been most active on Rabideau, Gilstad, Big and Moose lakes. Look for the sunfish in 8-14 feet of water, with crappies found suspended over deeper water.

BEMIDJI, MN
For some good perch action, try minnows in roughly 25 feet of water on Bemidji, Big, Plantagenet and Cass lakes. The sunnies have been most active on Grace, Midge and Turtle River lakes in 10-13 feet of water. Anglers traveling to Upper Red Lake should work the 12-14 foot breaklines, and remain mobile for the best results.

BENA, MN
On Lake Winnibigoshish, large perch are being pulled from depths of 26-28 feet, although some anglers are having success in 18 feet of water near the rocks. Some locations to check out include Raven’s Point, Moses Bar, the end of Long Bar, the humps on the north end off Pigeon Creek, the drop-off at Sugar Point, and the deep cut off Stony Point. For the most fish, try a Northland fry minnow with a small chub, shiner minnow, or just the head of a chub. Anglers continue to need auger extensions in some places. And crappie action is picking up on area lakes, with nice catches of 10- to 12-inch fish being reported on Cutfoot Sioux, Bowstring and Little Ball Club lakes.

WALKER, MN
On Leech Lake, perch are being pulled from 12-20 feet of water at Sand Point and the northern end of Sucker Bay. Tullibee action is picking up at Stoney Point, especially during lowlight hours.

HACKENSACK, MN
Woman Lake is producing large perch in 8-15 feet of water, with a few bluegills mixed in. For the most fish, try small jigs and eurolarvae. Pleasant and Birch lakes are giving up crappies in 20 feet of water.

PARK RAPIDS, MN
Sunnies are actively hitting waxworms in 12 feet of water on Fish Hook Lake. For crappies, hit 25 foot depths using a crappie minnow on Big Mantrap Lake.

DETROIT LAKES, MN
Bluegills and crappies remain active on Round, Floyd, Cotton, Little Pelican, Prairie, Crystal, Lida, Sand, Little Detroit and Big Toad lakes. The best approach has been a waxworm on a pounder jig or frostee jig worked at the weed pockets. Anglers are pulling a few tullibies from Lida, Long, Rose and Cotton lakes.

BATTLE LAKE, MN
Fishing has been excellent. Numbers of nice-size crappies and sunnies are coming out of 11-13 feet of water on Battle, South Turtle, Star, Dead and Rush lakes. Blue and red seem to be the most productive lure colors. Tullibies are starting to bite on Clitheral, Ottertail, Molly, East Battle and Pickeral lakes.

ALEXANDRIA, MN
Crappies and sunfish are active throughout the day on Victoria, Geneva, Le Homme Dieu, Ida, Mary and Miltona lakes in 6-18 feet of water, with a wide variety of baits on smaller jigs working well.

STARBUCK, MN
On Lake Minnewaska, anglers are catching a few large perch at the Starbuck end. The best approach has been a small jig and minnow in 15 feet of water. Sunfish are coming out of Devil’s and Whiskey lakes.

BRAINERD, MN
The sunnies and crappies can be found together, and continue to move into shallower waters. Hit 6-12 feet of water, at the weed beds near a drop-off or hole, for the most fish. Small tear drop jigs tipped with a crappie minnow or waxworm is working best.

NISSWA, MN
Crappie anglers are having the most success staying mobile, and drilling a few of holes, sometimes just 50 yards apart. Anglers report that fish are now migrating into the shallows. For the most fish, hit the weed pockets found in 6-15 feet of water using small jigs and plastic tails, or ice jigs tipped with a waxworm. The smaller area lakes have been the most productive. Anglers are also catching numbers of sunfish along with the crappies.