Ice continues to develop rapidly due to more seasonable temperatures. Please remember that ice is never 100% safe and ice conditions can change daily. Anyone choosing to head out should check the ice often. 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.
Happy New Year from Explore Minnesota!
Northeast Region
International Falls – Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Anglers are venturing out onto Rainy Lake, especially in the areas of Sand and Black Bays. Other hot spots with stable ice are also being fished.
Walleye are the most targeted species, with fish responding well to jigs and live bait in 30 feet of water. Morning hours appear to be best. Around Black Bay, many folks are pursuing the large northern pike lurking in 12-20 feet of water.
The access roads should be fully plowed by the weekend. Please check ice depth often. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org
Ely
Walleye fishing continues to improve for many anglers. Orange rippin’ raps and loud buckshot spoons are triggering walleye bites, especially after dark. Depths of 16-24 feet of water have been best.
Northern pike fishing remains good, with large pike coming from the weed beds and river mouths on large suckers and dead smelt. Depths of 10 feet of water or less have been the most productive.
Panfish are coming from deeper waters. The best tactic for bluegills has been a small tungsten jig tipped with wax worms. Anglers pursuing crappies will want to use small tungsten jigs tipped with a crappie minnow. Soft plastics have also turned fish. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org
Duluth – Lake Superior, St. Louis River and inland waters
The inland waters are giving up nice-sized panfish, especially from mid-morning to mid-afternoon when the temperatures are highest. Anglers are having the most success when using 4-pound monofilament and a small tungsten jig or tiny spoon tipped with soft plastic. The best locations remain over shallow vegetation in 5-13 feet of water. Northern pike and a few bass are responding to live minnows on set lines. Walleye fishing has slowed a bit, but anglers using glow-shot spoons tipped with a minnow head during low light periods are having some success. Many area lakes can now support ATVs and snowmobiles. As always, anglers must use caution and check ice conditions often.
The ice on the St. Louis River broke apart in some areas due to strong winds off the lake last week. Since then, many of the areas have sealed up but there are still some cracks that anglers must watch for. Avoiding the crowds has been key to success. Anglers should also use uncommon presentations such as unusual colors, weights and profiles to entice fish to bite. Dead sticks should continue to be used. The bite has been best during morning and late afternoon hours. Eelpout are being taken along with the walleye.
A few anglers continue to fish for trout and salmon in the open waters of Lake Superior. Since angler numbers have declined considerably, expect little fishing pressure at the breakwalls and popular shorefishing spots. 800-438-5884; www.visitduluth.com
Grand Rapids
The smaller lakes in the Grand Rapids area are producing lots of perch, crappies, and bluegills. Some of the most productive lakes are Big and Little Balsam, King, Three Island, Burns, Gunn and Wasson lakes, along with Long Lake on the Scenic Hwy. To the west, Little Bowstring, Jay Gould, Big Rice and Big Bass lakes are also great options. Anglers will want to use a light presentation for the most action. Use lighter line, such as 2-4 pound test, a light tip rod, and keep your presentation small. Try 1/32nd or 1/64th size baits that mimic some of the food sources the panfish are seeking, and add a waxie, euro larvae or small soft plastic. For the larger perch and crappies, use spoons with a small minnow head, or try a #3 or #5 jigging rap. Drilling several holes along the weedlines and inside turn of the drop-offs can be key to finding schools of hungry panfish. Stay mobile until you locate actively feeding fish.
Walleye fishing has also been good, especially at the offshore humps and points on Big Winnie, Jessie, Pokegama, Big Splithand and Moose. Rattling spoons with a minnow head fished 6 inches off the bottom are calling in walleye. Early morning and late afternoon hours have been best. www.visitgrandrapids.com
Northwest Region
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Ice fishing is in full swing on Lake of the Woods, with good numbers of walleye and sauger being caught. Most of the ice fishing is taking place in 23- 27 feet of water. Gold spoons with a minnow head or tail have been effective on a jigging line. Other productive colors are glow red and pink. For the dead stick, use a glow jig or plain hook with a live minnow. Don’t be surprised if you take some jumbo perch, big pike and eelpout along with your walleye and sauger.
On the Rainy River, some locals are heading out in pursuit of walleye. The mornings and evenings have been the most productive. Anyone unfamiliar with the river needs to work through a resort since ice conditions vary greatly.
Up at the Northwest Angle, ice fishing remains excellent. Anglers are taking a nice mix of walleye, sauger and jumbo perch. The best bite has been during morning and evening hours in 15-19 feet of water. In the afternoons, fish can be found in 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
Bemidji
Most are lakes now have at least a foot of ice, and vehicles are beginning to head out. Anglers need to still use caution since ice thickness can vary greatly from one location to the next.
Low light hours remain the most productive for walleye anglers. Fish can be found off the 12-14 foot breaklines, as well as out on the deeper humps. Perch are active in waters less than 10 feet deep, and out on the deep humps. For walleye and perch, hit Lake Bemidji, Plantagenet, Wolf and Andrusia lakes. Crappie and bluegill anglers will want to work areas just off the weed edges on Gull, Beltrami and Midge lakes. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com
Bena – Lake Winnibigoshish
As of New Year’s Eve, measurements of 10-12 inches of ice were reported for the south end of Lake Winnibigoshish, with ATVs used to access areas about two miles out. Lots of nice walleye and perch were being pulled from the structure in 18 feet of water, as well as from depths of 18-20 feet at Horseshoe Bar. Perch action was also strong on the flats in 12-14 feet. Northern pike were being taken from depths of 16-18 feet at the bars.
On the west shore, most measurements showed 11-13 inches of ice. Walleye continued to be taken late in the day over 18-20 feet of water. Good numbers of perch and northern pike were coming from the points and shoreline breaks in depths of 5-10 feet. Some bigger perch were found on deeper structure as well. www.lakewinnie.net
Walker – Leech Lake
Fishing has been very good on Leech Lake, but anglers need to remember that ice depths can vary greatly. Ice thickness ranges from 10-14 inches at the main basin, but it is only 5-8 inches thick in Walker Bay, and some areas have yet to be checked. Anglers must use caution and check ice thickness often when venturing out.
Nice numbers of walleye and perch are being pulled from 10-12 feet of water in Walker Bay and at Sand Point. Cedar Point is also giving up walleye, with the majority of fish being taken from 14-20 feet of water. Anglers using set lines with a shiner or rainbow chub during morning and evening hours are having the most success. Panfish anglers are doing well during evening hours in Shingobee Bay.
All species of fish have been active in the main lake, particularly in areas such as Pine Point, Traders Bay and Horseshoe Bay. Anglers are taking fish from the transition areas where clean bottoms lead to chara grass in 11-13 feet of water. UV jigging spoons have been top producers. Tip-ups set should be set just away from the shelter in order to cover more area on the larger flats. For nice numbers of keeping-size perch, stay mobile. There has also been a very good eelpout bite during the day and night in the Goose Island area. The same tactics used for perch and walleye are turning eelpout. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Detroit Lakes
Most lakes in the Detroit Lakes area have 8-12 inches of ice. Sled travel is good due to the additional snow cover. There are some hard-packed drifts, and slush and flooding should be expected. Anglers report fish in the weeds, off the edges of the breaks and near the humps, however, the green weeds offer the best action. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
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Central Region
McGregor Area Lakes
Ice thickness on Big Sandy Lake ranges from 7-10 inches in most areas. Some slushy spots have developed so anglers will want to use extra caution in these areas. Angers are catching crappies and walleye. Lots of anglers are venturing out onto Lake Minnewawa in pursuit of walleye, crappies and northern pike, with many reporting success. The ice ranges from 8-11 inches thick. Please check for special fishing regulations for both lakes before heading out. 218-768-3692 www.mcgregormn.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
At the north end of Lake Mille Lacs, 6-7 inches of ice has developed where an open crack existed last week according to one source. Nearby, up to 10 inches of ice has been measured. Anglers were encouraged to access the lake by foot. On the west end, 8-12 inches of ice measured in one bay with 7-10 inches reported out on a nearby reef. Side-by-sides were being allowed onto the ice, with single axle houses pulled by wheelers or side-by-sides expected by the weekend. On the east side of the lake, ice checks revealed 8-12 inches in some areas, but 4 inches of ice were measured in other areas. Scattered cracks are also reported. Anglers must check with a local bait shop or resort for the most current ice conditions before heading out. Check out current ice conditions at the Mille Lacs Lake Webcams web page.
Lake Mille Lacs anglers may keep one walleye measuring between 21-23 inches, or one fish longer than 28 inches this winter. The DNR offers further information about fishing regulations specific to Lake Mille Lacs. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
Willmar
As of Dec. 22, the ice on many area lakes was expected to reach 9-10 inches. Anglers were concentrating on panfish, with nice numbers of crappies and perch being reported. Some fish remained near the weedlines along the shoreline breaks, but some crappies had already slid to deeper waters. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Families will want to check out Ice Fishing at Lake Rebecca for a fun and safe morning of fishing at Lake Rebecca on Saturday, Jan. 9. Bait, tackle and poles will be provided and all equipment will be thoroughly sanitized for participant safety. Holes will be pre-drilled and marked for participant convenience. Staff and volunteers will help with instruction. Drawings will be made throughout the program for door prizes from Rapala and Vexilar. All attendees can fish without a fishing license during this event. Pre-registration is required and must be made by contacting Hastings Parks and Rec at 651-480-6182 or pmarschall@hastingsmn.gov. While there is no fee, donations are greatly appreciated.
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
Ice developed slowly on Big Stone Lake during much of December due to a number of storms. Recent cold temperatures, however, have allowed ice to building nicely over the past week or so. In areas where ice remained intact, 7-9 inches of ice are common, but in areas where open water reappeared, the new ice measures roughly 3 inches.
Anglers have been heading out onto areas with thicker ice, taking good numbers of perch from 12-14 feet of water. A few large bluegills are also being reported. Two public accesses on Big Stone Lake with the thickest ice are the County Road 68 Access in Minnesota, and the Kasuske Landing on the South Dakota side of the lake. Anglers need to remember that ice thickness varies greatly so before heading out, please check with a local resort or bait shop 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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