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Bemidji Area Lakes MN
Fishing
Most
lakes now averaging 15-20 inches of good ice. Anglers still
need to monitor conditions due to ice heaves, as well as
potential problem areas such as those with current, and those
near the narrows and islands. The
walleye bite on Upper Red Lake has been good in 6-9 feet of
water during morning and evening hours. Fish can also be found
on days with overcast skies--a necessity due to the very clear
ice.
Brainerd Lakes Area MN Fishing
Jigs tipped with rainbows or shiner minnows
have been turning walleye in 15-32 feet of water on Gull,
North Long, and Round lakes. Northern pike action has been
excellent when using sucker minnows in 8-18 feet of water on
Gull Lake. Glow jigs and minnows have been best for crappies
on Round and Cullen lakes, as well as at the south end of Gull
in depths of 12-19 feet. Sunfish have been active in 8-12 feet
on most of the smaller area lakes.
Chisago Area Lakes MN Fishing
Crappies are biting in depths of 24-26 feet of
water on Chisago Lake from 4:30 p.m. towards dusk. South
Lindstrom Lake is giving up crappies and walleye in front of
the hospital. Crappies are biting in 22-24 feet of water, with
the walleye coming from 16-18 foot depths along the weedline.
North Center Lake is giving up crappies on crappie minnows,
waxworms and euro larva near Nelson Island.
Detroit Lakes Area MN Fishing
Crappies should still be suspended over deeper
waters on Lida, Star, Melissa, Little Detroit, Toad and
Cotton. The sunfish are expected to be at the outside edges of
the green weed flats on Rock, Tamarac, Height of Land and
Little Detroit lakes. For walleye, look to the weeds during
low light hours, and at the deeper edges during the day on
Lida, Otter Tail, Pelican and Sallie lakes.
Leech Lake MN Fishing
Leech Lake fishing action remains great, with
anglers reporting lots of good-sized walleye and panfish. Many
of these walleye have measured more than 20 inches. Northern
pike spearers continue to do well due to clear water in the
spear house locations. An 11-pound pike was reported this
week. The best crappie bite has been at twilight, just after
dark and just before the sun rises. Crappies and sunnies can
be found suspended on area lakes--use your electronics to
learn where these fish are holding in the water column.
Lake Mille Lacs MN Fishing
Walleye fishing has been steady on Lake Mille
Lacs, with lots of large fish being taken. Anglers are finding
fish during low light hours and after dark in 15-20 feet of
water--try a set line with a large shiner or rainbow dace.
During the day, look to 25-28 feet of water using a jigging
spoon. Jigging rapalas tipped with a minnow head have also
been producing some nice numbers of walleye during the day.
The best perch action is during the day in depths of 26-30
feet of water when using smaller jigs tipped with euro larvae
or waxworms. There are many good-sized basins near shore that
are both productive and safe to access. For the most active
fish, locate the sandy bottom areas or rock and sand
transitions. There are scattered reports of anglers finding
decent-sized perch as well as good numbers in 10-11 feet of
water during low light periods. The majority of fish are
coming in on set lines and jigging spoons tipped with a minnow
head.
Lake of the Woods MN
Fishing
On Lake of the Woods, fishing remains great. On
the southwest edge, anglers are taking a good mixture of
walleye, sauger and perch from depths of 27-28 feet of water.
On the southeast side of the lake, at Zippel Bay & Morris
Point, fishing has been best in depths of 30-31 feet. Anglers
are taking lots of sauger and quite a few trophy-sized and
eating-sized walleye. The best time of day has been from 10:00
a.m. to roughly 2:30-3:00 p.m. There has also been a good
early morning bite in 18-20 feet of water, especially when
using gold or glow-in-the-dark colors. In the Lighthouse Gap
area, anglers report a great mix of walleye, sauger and perch
coming from 30-32 feet of water. During morning and evening
hours, hit depths of 18-20 feet. And at the Northwest Angle,
fishing remains excellent for walleye, sauger and perch. Some
fish houses have been moved out deeper over 26-29 feet of
water. It seems that the deeper the water the more sauger that
are taken. Lots of jumbo perch are coming from the mud.
Smaller presentations are best, and anything in gold or
glow-in-the-dark has worked well. There have also been some
good reports of crappies, whitefish and northern pike, as well
as smallmouth bass coming from the rocky areas.
Lake
Vermilion MN Fishing
Walleye coming from depths of 10-32 feet all
over the east end of the lake. The majority of fish coming in
on pike suckers on a rattle reel, and on jigs tipped with
small chubs or rainbows--both working equally well. The best
times to fish were early morning and late afternoon, but some
midday hours have also been productive. Many slot fish taken
along with a lot of larger and keeper-size fish.
Park Rapids Area Lakes MN Fishing
Overall, the ice conditions are good on area
lakes, with 12-14 inches of ice on average. It is important,
however, to be aware of varying conditions on the larger
bodies of water such as Potato, Long, and Big Sand to name a
few. Walleye anglers continue to have success, taking lots of
eating-size walleye along with an occasional large fish.
Evening hours remain best, especially in depths of 17-24 feet.
Live minnows have been the key to success, with jigging spoons
tipped with live bait also turning some fish. Panfish activity
remains outstanding throughout the area. Large bluegills are
active and feeding most of the day, into evening hours.
Northland hard rock mooska jigs are working well when tipped
with a waxworm or impulse plastic tail. Crappies can be found
suspended over deep water, with a great bite at dusk, perfect
for anglers who can't get out until after the sun has set.
Check depths of 20-30 feet and keep an eye on your fish finder
to pinpoint suspended fish. Northern pike action has been
good, especially on Mantrap Lake--there is an experimental
slot on Mantrap, so all pike between 24-36 inches must be
released immediately. This lake, however, offers a chance at a
true trophy-sized pike. Try ripping a large jigging spoon to
coax one of these monsters out of the weeds.
Rainy Lake MN Fishing
Most
anglers are fishing Sand Bay, but ice has improved at the
American Narrows and other points to the east. Walleye are
hitting jig and minnow combinations. Some good-sized northern
pike are being pulled from Black Bay on bare hooks tipped with
large minnows.
Upper Red Lake MN Fishing
Upper Red Lake has been very popular this
winter due to good ice conditions and a good walleye bite.
Most anglers have been fishing the shoreline breaks in 9-11
feet of water, with some anglers beginning to venture out
further into the basin. Many anglers are having success the
more active walleye when using jigging spoons with half a
minnow--a bobber rig and live minnow is best for the less
active fish brought to the hole by a jigging spoon. There are
many different styles and colors of jigging spoons, so anglers
should experiment to find the best presentation--have a couple
of rods rigged with different styles of spoons or use a small
snap on the line so lures can be changed quickly. Crappies,
bluegills and perch usually get less fishing pressure from
anglers as long as the walleye are biting. More anglers will
switch to panfish as the season progresses and the walleye
bite slows down. Please note that many panfish lakes have
thinner ice than the larger lakes due to springs underneath
the ice so anglers need to monitor ice conditions personally
before deciding what mode of travel to use on the ice.
Willmar Area Lakes MN Fishing
Eagle, Diamond, Green and Florida lakes are
giving up lots walleye, and few crappies and perch. These
lakes have approximately 9-12 inches of ice.
Lake Winnie MN Fishing
Fishing has been fairly good, with lots of
walleye being taken on cloudy days and lots of perch coming in
on sunny days. Walleye are active at the drops off shore and
at the main lake bars in depths of 17-24 feet. Buckshot rattle
spoons are working well, especially in glow or gold colors.
Dead-stick a tail-hooked minnow next to a spoon for extra
walleye attention. Most bars are producing fish, including
Sugar, Horseshoe and Bena, and from Big Musky to Three Bend.
The humps to the north are starting to give up lots of
walleye. While they are on the move, drill a few holes and
once you find them they are fairly easy to put on the ice. The
northern pike bite remains strong, with tip-up anglers
reporting great action 3-6 feet off the bottom near the top
portions of the structure. Large shiners or 5- to 10-inch
suckers have been best. Quick-strike rigs are now allowed for
pike, making it quite a bit easier to release these fish since
less deep-hooking will occur. On sunny days, the perch bite is
fast and furious, with pink or pink & white colors working
well in 20-30 foot depths--keep gold jigs handy as a good
back-up.
Experience
amazing
Canada Fishing for Trophy Walleye, Northern Pike,
and Muskie at the Best
Canada Fishing Lodges. You can catch your
limit on Top fishing lakes like Lac Seul,
Eagle Lake, and Lake Nipissing.
