Northeast Minnesota
International Falls – Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake remains accessible, especially if you stick to the established ice roads and snowmobile trails. Most anglers are following these routes, and are catching walleye, crappie and northern pike in Sand and Black bays, as well as around the American Narrows. Walleye are responding best to shiner minnows either under a bobber or on a jig in 20-30 feet of water. Sonar equipment can be very helpful.
The Rainy River ramps should be open soon allowing some of the earliest open water fishing in the upper Midwest. Anglers should remember that while the Rainy River remains open to walleye during the extended season, the waters are catch-and-release only to protect spawning females. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Kabetogama
Crappies are showing up near their traditional staging areas on Lake Kabetogama. The deeper water seems to be best, with small jigs tipped with a small crappie minnow working well. Most of the crappies can be found throughout the water column so adjust your presentation as needed. Using sonar can be key to finding suspended fish.
Plan to attend the Community Club’s 50th Annual St. Urho’s Day Celebration on March 14 at Town Hall. The celebration includes games, a potluck, skits, drawings for door prizes and St. Urho costume contest. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com
Ely Area Waters
Crappies and sunnies have been eager to bite, especially in 20-30 feet of water. Some anglers are also finding sunfish in depths of 15 feet or less, in and around the weed beds. Both species have been very aggressive, hitting crappie minnows, waxworms or soft plastics on small tungsten jigs. White, pink and red colored jigs and soft plastics have been the most productive. For greater success, anglers should locate crappies on their depth finders before dropping a line.
While lake trout anglers report fewer numbers of fish, there have been several reports of lakers measuring over 30 inches. White/blue tubes, white/red tubes, wicked tinsel jigs and bucktails tipped with a sucker minnow have been the most popular presentations for trout. Most of the fish are coming from 25-50 feet of water around the sunken islands, main lake points and neck-down areas.
Rainbow trout remain active on many of the area’s most popular stream trout lakes. Anglers continue to catch quality rainbows in the first 10 feet of water, just under the ice, or in waters 10 feet deep or less. Small spoons tipped with wax worms or salted minnows have been the most popular and effective way to catch these trout, but small rippin’ raps have also turned fish. Anglers targeting brook trout are finding them tight to the shoreline in less than 5 feet of water. Anglers should look for brookies close to downed trees or shallow, weedy flats. Rippin’ raps and spoons have been very productive. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Fishing action and the weather were incredible last week, with temperatures approaching 60 degrees and the bite heating up. Travel continues to be good on most inland waters, but the ice is starting to wear away at the access points. ATVs, side-by-sides and snowmobile have been best for lake travel. The inland lakes are giving up lots of nice panfish. Most of the fish are coming from 6-15 feet of water in the shallower back bays of. The best presentation has been a tungsten jig tipped with soft plastics or waxworms. Some anglers have also had success jigging small crappie minnow heads. Anglers should drill a number of holes to locate moving schools of fish. Electronics are extremely helpful. This bite will continually get better through ice-out. Also, don’t be surprised if you catch a bonus catch-and-release species such as bass, northern pike or walleye!
There was an increase in angling along the North Shore of Lake Superior last weekend. Most anglers, however, reported mostly slow to moderate success. Anglers will continue to launch boats over the next several weeks so it’s best to be at the access points early. Tactics include near-shore trolling with stick baits. If you don’t have a boat or aren’t ready to hit the water, try shore angling. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers are pulling nice walleye from 27-33 feet of water on Lake of the Woods. Work lures on a jigging line, and a live minnow on an ice jig or plain hook on the second line. Productive colors have been pink/gold, glow, red glow and green glow. Electronics have been very helpful when searching for suspended walleye. Northern pike activity has heated up, with a greater number of large pike taken this week. Tip-ups with big baits on quick strike rigs remain best. Ice conditions remain excellent with nighttime freezing temperatures keeping the ice firm. Please note that the walleye and sauger season is open through April 14 — the northern pike season is continuous.
On the Rainy River, an open water line runs from the east to the west. Thin ice is reported around the International Bridge in Baudette. Extra caution is needed on the river, especially this time of year. No open water fishing is taking place at this time.
Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers are pulling in a nice mix of walleye, saugers and big jumbo perch, with an occasional northern pike in the mix. Depths of 20-32 feet of water have been best over the structure and mud. Anglers are having the most success using glow colors, especially gold and pink.
The pike season never closes on Lake of the Woods. Check out Learn How to Catch Giant Lake of the Woods Pike on Tip-ups if you’re heading out for big pike!
On the Rainy River, local anglers continue to catch some walleye, but extra caution is needed, especially with the recent warm temperatures, melting and run-off. Expect thin ice around the International Bridge in Baudette. Anglers should work through a resort when ice fishing on the river since ice thickness varies greatly.
Up at the Northwest Angle, ice fishing reports has been excellent with a nice mix of walleye, sauger, large jumbo perch and northern pike. Anglers are fishing depths of 20-32 feet of water in areas with structure and mud. Jigging spoons with a minnow head have been best for the jigging line, and plain hooks with a live minnow has been key on the dead-stick. The snowmobile trails remain groomed and in good shape. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Park Rapids
The fish are starting to transition. While crappies continue to be pulled from the deeper 30-50 foot holes, they are starting to head towards the shallow water breaks to feed. The fish are a little lethargic due to the oxygen depletion which is normal this time of year, but they do feed heavily during short windows. Small jigs tipped with waxworms, and minnows under bobbers are working well. The bluegills are more concentrated along the breaks to shallower waters, with nice-sized schools up on the weedy flats in depths of 6-12 feet. The same presentations are turning bluegills. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Central Region
Glenwood Area Lakes
On March 6, crappie and sunny fishing was reported to be very good on the Glenwood side of Lake Minnewaska. Overall, most area lakes known for good panfish populations were expected to be producing nice numbers of panfish. At that time, anglers were advised to watch the shorelines since some areas were muddy. www.glenwoodlakesarea.org
Brainerd Area Lakes
While the snow is nearly gone, the lakes are filling back up with oxygen and the fish are biting. Unfortunately, some of the accesses are no longer useable. Much of spring transitional movements have happened. Look for bluegills and crappies on the shallow flats in 6-12 feet of water. If you can find any standing vegetation, your success will increase greatly. The best lures for the panfish have been horizontal plastic presentations, as well as green glow jigs loaded with waxworms.
Eelpout fishing was excellent last week, but the spawn is over and the full moon has passed so the bite is expected to decrease. Tullibee fishing has been fantastic in deep basin areas next to a sharp drop-off. Metallic lures tipped with live bait have been working well. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
Many of the accesses on Lake Mille Lacs are very soft, and some are now closed for the season. Anglers that continue to head out are enjoying a great crappie bite, with many large fish being taken. Anglers are also having success with the northern pike (the pike season remains open through March 31), as well as lots of large tullibee. Again, some resorts and their accesses have closed for the season — please call ahead before traveling. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Plan ahead for the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo in St. Paul, March 20-22. This is the largest fly fishing event in the Midwest, with vendors from across the country including fly shops, guides, top brands, outfitters and non-profits. In addition, there will be over three dozen free progams and seminars, as well as ongoing casting instruction. You don’t want to miss this celebration of fly fishing!
Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro/Preston – Southeast Bluff Country Rivers and Streams
The Stream Trout catch-and-release season is open. Maps are available under the “Area Highlights” tab on the Lanesboro Fisheries web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville – Big Stone Lake
The walleye season is open year-round on Big Stone Lake. The daily limit is four walleye, and you can fish with two lines.
The Whetstone River opened up into Big Stone Lake. Fortunately, it was a manageable amount of water. Local anglers are optimistic that there will be little to no flooding this spring. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com
