WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – DEC. 23, 2020
Ice developed rapidly this week due to colder and more seasonable temperatures. Up to a foot of snow is expected throughout much of Minnesota today which should make travel on the lakes much easier. Please remember that ice is never 100% safe and ice conditions can change daily, especially early in the season.
Anyone choosing to head out must check the ice often using an ice spud, bring ice picks, and wear a life jacket. Learn more about ice safety.
For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR’s Fish Minnesota web page.
Anglers are asked to fish lakes and rivers close to home, and practice social distancing. Learn more about safer ways to travel at Explore Minnesota’s COVID-19 Information page.
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[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]
Northeast Region
International Falls – Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Ice is forming nicely and some people are venturing out to fish, particularly on Black Bay on Rainy Lake. Anglers have also been taking portable gear out to parts of Jackfish and Sand bays. Some anglers are having success with the walleye when jigging a smaller minnow just off the bottom. One local angler recently pulled a very large northern pike out of Black Bay. Although good ice seems to be forming well, safety should still be, and always be, the first concern. Please check ice depth often. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Ely
Ice conditions remain excellent on area lakes, improving enough for trucks to head out. Ice thickness now ranges from 9-16 feet.
Walleye fishing has been slow despite anglers marking good numbers of walleye each evening. Anglers are finding walleye in 18-23 feet of water. While rippin’ raps and buckshot spoons are getting attention, dead sticking with a shiner has accounted for the majority of walleye being caught.
Northern pike fishing remains good and consistent, with fish found at the mouths of the shallow bays and near the river mouths in 10 feet of water or less. Large, dead baits tend to turn the most and largest pike.
Panfish have begun sliding out into deeper waters as snow accumulates on area lakes. Most anglers are finding them in 15-20 feet of water. Live bait such as waxworms and crappie minnows have been key to catching fish. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
Lake Superior has been mostly quiet, except for some shore anglers fishing areas such as the break walls in Two Harbors and Duluth. These areas offer a chance at very memorable fish. For the most action, try long-casting big spoons or looper bugs, or try still-fishing with wax worms. Come prepared with a proper landing net. As temperatures drop, fewer anglers will be fishing the open water.
Hundreds of walleye anglers ventured out onto the St. Louis River last week when ice measurements were up to 7 inches thick. Please note, however, that ice conditions are still very unstable and dangerous in many areas. Also, some of the harbor ice is breaking up due to strong winds causing current to rush into the system. Anyone planning to venture out must use extreme caution, bring all of the proper protective equipment, and wear a life jacket. Anglers that are having success are using a mixture of jigging spoons, rippin’ raps, and plain hooks with minnows. In the back bays, panfish anglers are taking a few crappies and perch when using small tear drops tipped with soft plastics or waxworms. The panfish bite has slowed a bit, but should pick up once the weather turns more stable.
The inland lakes continue to give up nice northern pike and bass, along with an occasional walleye. Tip-ups are working well when set just off the weed edges or drop-offs. Instead of using larger shiners or sucker minnows, it may be wise to switch to walleye-sized suckers, fatheads or smaller shiners. The panfish bite has been great, especially when set up over shallower vegetation in 8-16 feet of water. Fishing away from the crowds and avoiding the “community holes” has been helpful. Soft plastics or a couple of spikes should work well. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
Cold temperatures have built fishable ice on more lakes in the Grand Rapids area. Some of the larger lakes still have variable ice thickness, so always check as you go. Overall, anglers are venturing out by foot; snowmobile and four-wheeler travel should probably wait until after the next cold snap. Recent snowfall has made walking out a bit better, but it still helps to have spikes on your boots.
Jay Gould Lake has been great for large perch and northern pike. Small spoons with two wax worms or a minnow head have been ideal for perch. Tip-ups are working well for northern pike when baited with a small- to medium-sized sucker minnow or larger shiner. For nice-sized pike, hit Bass, Pokegama, Big Splithand, Winnibigoshish and Big Ball Club lakes. Fish the weedlines and drop-off edges for pike roaming in search of food.
Many anglers are concentrating on panfish, and several area lakes are giving up nice numbers of crappies, bluegills and perch. For the most action, check Big Rice, Little Cutfoot, Big Bass, Graves and Little Ball Club lakes, as well as the Tioga Beach area on Lake Pokegama. Small tungsten jigs tipped with euro larvae or waxworms have worked very well. Watch your depth finder closely and keep your bait inches to a foot above the marked fish. Also, drill several holes so you can move when the fish do.
Walleye fishing remains decent on several area lakes such as Pokegama, Moose and Big Jessie. Anglers having the most success are using jigging raps, or spoons tipped with a minnow head. Work the edges of the structure, especially early and late in the day. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Region
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Good numbers of walleye and sauger are being taken from the south end of Lake of the Woods. Resorts have set their fish houses over productive depths of 20-27 feet of water. Using a jigging line, and dead-stick a live minnow on a second line. For the jigging line, use jigging spoons with a minnow head or minnow tail. Ideal colors are gold, glow, glow red and pink. Some jumbo perch, large northern pike and eelpout are adding to the fun. In fact, one angler caught an eelpout this week that weighed just over 17-pounds. The Minnesota State Eelpout Record weighed 19.67-pounds, and was also taken on Lake of the Woods.
Local anglers are venturing out onto the Rainy River where they are taking some nice walleye. Please note that ice conditions vary greatly so it is important to work through a resort.
Up at the Northwest Angle, anglers are taking a nice mix of walleye, sauger and jumbo perch. During low light hours, depths of 15-19 feet of water have been best. In afternoons, successful anglers are fishing 22-26 feet of water.
Please note that a Northwest Angle Guest Ice Road is being constructed to offer guests access to the Angle and Island from the south. Follow the progression of ice development by checking out the many Lake of the Woods web cams. Ice anglers will also want to check out the Guide to Ice Fishing Lake of the Woods. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Detroit Lakes
In the Detroit Lakes area, ice on most lakes ranges from 5-10 inches thick with scattered thin ice. Anglers need to continue to check ice as they venture out. Ice should build rapidly towards the end of the week with below-zero overnight temperatures.
The crappie and bluegill bite remains best for anglers. Some fish are relating to the existing green weedlines on the shoreline breaks, and some crappies have already slid to deeper waters. A few walleye are being taken during morning and evening hours. All bites should improve once additional snow cover reduces light penetration. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
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Central Region
McGregor Area Lakes
Some areas of Lake Minnewawa now have as much as 8-10 inches of ice, but anglers should expect thinner ice in other areas. More anglers are venturing out onto Big Sandy Lake where ice measures 6-8 in some areas. Anglers are also walking out onto Round Lake. 218-768-3692 www.mcgregormn.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs anglers will be able to keep one walleye measuring between 21- and 23-inches, or one fish longer than 28 inches this winter. The DNR offers further information about fishing regulations specific to Lake Mille Lacs.
Check out current ice conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Stillwater – St. Croix River
Anglers have been ice fishing on some areas of the St. Croix River. Anyone who is unfamiliar with the river must check with a local bait shop for the most current conditions before venturing out. Remember that the current can be unpredictable and ice can change on a daily basis. Consider hiring a guide who is familiar with the river. 651-351-1717; www.discoverstillwater.com
White Bear Area Lakes
Anglers are heading out onto areas of White Bear Lake with decent ice conditions. Good panfish action has been reported in the bay near the VFW. There have also been a lot of nice northern pike taken on tip-ups with sucker minnows or shiners in the same area. 651-653-5122; www.explorewhitebear.org
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Southern Region
Lanesboro/Preston – Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
On Dec.15, Lanesboro Area Fisheries staff reported that anglers were fishing waters that were currently closed to angling, i.e. Gribben, Duschee, Trout Run, and South Fork Root River. They remind us that this jeopardizes the ability to maintain the current Town & Park catch-and-release season. Anyone with questions was asked to call or email their office at 507-765-7060 or lanesboro.fisheries@state.mn.us.
Please note that the stream trout catch-and-release season is open from through April 16, 2021 ONLY within the following state parks: Beaver Creek Valley (East Beaver Creek); Forestville (Forestville Creek, Canfield Creek, South Branch Root River) and Whitewater (Middle Branch Whitewater River, Trout Run Creek). It is also within the city boundaries of Chatfield, Lanesboro, Preston, Rushford and Spring Valley.
All designated trout streams in the seven counties of southeast Minnesota will open for catch-and-release angling on Jan. 1, 2021.
Check the Weekly Minnesota Stream Flow Maps for updates before you head out. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com
Ortonville – Big Stone Lake
Overall, roughly 70-80 percent of the lake has been frozen for several weeks. Recent winds, however, raised havoc on the ice in areas such as Sodak-Hartford, Bayview and Meadowbrook on Big Stone Lake. Ice measurements taken earlier this week at Lakewood and County Road 68 showed 7.25-7.5 inches of ice. Some sub-zero temperatures later this week should cause open water and thin ice areas to firm up nicely. Roughly 9-10 inches of ice is expected in many areas by the weekend. Anglers should still take all safety precautions when venturing out, and first check with a bait shop or resort for the most current conditions. 320-839-3284; www.bigstonelake.com
Visit the Explore Minnesota Fishing & Hunting page for information to help you plan your next Minnesota fishing trip!
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