Few fishing reports are available as anglers put away their ice fishing gear and wait for the open water season to begin. While the late ice panfish bite has been very good, the warm temperatures and strength of the sun have taken a toll on the ice, making lake access difficult. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 50s throughout the state this weekend. Please consult with an area bait shop or resort for the most current conditions before traveling.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, anglers need to be extremely cautious on and around the ice since conditions can change rapidly, sometimes in a matter of hours. Anyone that does venture out onto late season ice should wear a life jacket, carry ice picks and use a chisel to check ice thickness frequently.
Learn more about ice safety.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2021-2022 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows. Stream trout: April 17; walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout: May 15; muskie: June 5. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Before dropping a line, brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Most Lake of the Woods resorts have pulled their fish houses off the ice for the season, but a few resorts adjacent to better ice conditions are still accommodating ice anglers. Large northern pike are active and staging adjacent to spawning areas. Most fish are being caught on tip-ups with live sucker minnows or dead bait like a tullibee. Most pike angling is taking place in 5-15 feet of water. Walleye and sauger anglers are finding fish in depths of 15-30 feet. Check the shallower depths during morning and evening hours, and hit the deeper depths during the day. To view current conditions on Lake of the Woods, check out the many Lake of the Woods web cams(opens in new window).
The Rainy River is starting to open, with anglers pushing smaller boats over the shoreline ice at Nelson Park in Birchdale on March 16. The ice is expected to melt over the next few days. Anyone heading out must use extreme caution and wear a life preserver. Once the accesses are open, please be patient with fellow anglers, use slower speeds on Hwy 11 near the access points, and do not block accesses to local fields when parking. The large female walleye are moving up river to spawn. Please remember that walleye and sauger are catch-and-release only in Four Mile Bay and on the Rainy River through April 14 in order to keep the population sustainable. To learn more about fishing the Rainy River, check out Spring Fishing on the Rainy River has Begun!(opens in new window)
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
While the ice remains 8-16 inches thick on Detroit Lakes area lakes, it will continue to deteriorate with the current warm temperatures and strength of the sun. For now, look for fish to be in the shallows, relating to the first break off the shoreline flats. The most productive areas will be at the green weeds and in the pockets of the weeds. Anglers are finding the bluegills and crappies in the same areas, with perch found shallow and tight to the bottom. Small jigs tipped with wax worms, bright high-action plastic tails or crappie minnows are producing the most fish.
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