Anglers report that walleye action has been best early and late in the day, with shiners turning the most fish. Panfish are very active at the weeds where they are responding well to jigs with soft plastics or spikes. Anglers that remain mobile are finding large schools of crappies in the deeper waters. To decrease fish mortality, please keep your catch-and-release fish wet when temperatures drop below freezing.
While sub-zero temperatures have caused ice to build rapidly, anglers must continue to use extreme caution when venturing out onto the ice. Ice is never 100% safe and ice conditions can vary greatly from one lake to another, and on the same body of water. It is extremely important to wear a life jacket, bring along an ice pick and rope, and tell someone where you plan to travel. Learn more about ice safety.
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Ice fishing is in full swing on Lake of the Woods. Some resorts and outfitters are now using bombardiers to access the lake. Anglers should check with ice road operators for specifics as ice conditions do vary. It is important to stay on marked ice roads and trails. Lots of walleye and sauger are being reported, along with eelpout, jumbo perch, pike, tullibee and sturgeon. Action has been best in 25-28 feet of water. Jig one line, and try adding vibration or rattle to see if that attracts the fish. Dead-stick the second line using a simple hook or ice jig tipped with a live minnow set 6-12 inches off the bottom. Effective colors have been gold, pink, glow red and glow green. For those with a portable shelter, morning and evening walleye can be found in depths of 10-15 feet along.
The Rainy River is covered in ice, but it is imperative that you know where you are going due to current in the river. It is best to work through a resort or outfitter. Areas with solid, thick ice are giving up walleye, primarily during morning and evening hours. Gold and glow colors are best. The sturgeon bite remains good for those wanting to pull a monster through the ice. All that is needed is a few frozen shiners or crawlers on a hook with a 3/4 ounce egg sinker set near the bottom.
Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye fishing remains strong with sauger, jumbo perch and northern pike also being taken. Anglers report a good bite during morning and evening hours in 15-18 feet of water off the shorelines, island points and adjacent to structure. During midday hours, work the deeper structure and mud. As usual, jigging in one hole and dead-sticking in another is key. Jigging raps tipped with a minnow head on the middle treble hook have been the most effective. Anglers can travel to the Northwest Angle without crossing the border. The snowmobile trails along both the west and east sides of the lake are open, groomed and staked for travel up to resorts at the Angle. Lake Country Air and bombardier services are also options.
Check out the many webcams(opens in new window) located throughout Lake of the Woods.
Contact Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI AREA LAKES
The Bemidji area received roughly 20 inches of snow this week and last. The accumulation, combined with bitterly cold temperatures, have kept many anglers off the ice. Those that have headed out report a very good walleye and perch bite, especially on Bemidji and Plantagenet lakes. Most of the fish are coming off the first break in 12-16 feet of water, but some fish can be found on the deeper humps in depths of roughly 30 feet. Jigging spoons and minnow heads have been working best. Midge, Gull and Moose lakes are kicking out crappies and bluegills off the deeper weed edges and in the deeper basins. Dick Beardsley’s fishing video(opens in new window) offers additional ice fishing tips.
Contact Visit Bemidji for more information.
WALKER – LEECH LAKE
Ice conditions continue to improve on Leech Lake. Measurements of 15-17 inches of ice are reported in the Pine Point, Grand View Flats and Goose Island areas. There have been no major flooding issues since the snow on top is fairly light. The storms and low temperatures have put a damper on numbers of fish being taken, but the size of fish has actually increased. For perch, drill lots of holes and stay on the move to locate schools.
Walker Bay ice conditions are slowly improving, and ice in most areas of the bay measures 10-12 inches with about a foot of snow on top. Caution is still advised when traveling so check ice thickness as you go. ATV, UTV and snowmobile travel is the only mode of travel recommended other than by foot. The walleye bite has been best during evening hours. Dead-sticks with rainbow or shiner minnows set in 18-25 feet of water are producing the greatest numbers of quality fish.
Contact the Leech Lake Area Tourism Bureau for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
Lake ice continues to build nicely in the Detroit Lakes area. Some trucks are now traveling on the small and shallow lakes. Ice measurements on some of the larger and deeper lakes remains at 12-13 inches, with heavy snow on top. Anglers must proceed with caution on these lakes, and check ice depth often. Also, expect some flooding issues due to heavy snow cover. The best mode of travel on the ice is by sled or track vehicle. Community spots with plowed roads will be easiest to access. Walleye action has been best early and late in the day with bite windows of roughly one hour. Large schools of crappies can be found in 28-32 feet water.
OTTER TAIL AREA LAKES
While snow and slush have caused some travel issues on Otter Tail County Lakes, fishing has been very good. A great bluegill and crappie bite is reported at the remaining green weeds. Walleye are active at the breaklines. Northern pike have been very active both shallow and deep. Just set out a few tip-ups with a medium-size sucker minnow for some great action.
Contact Otter Tail Lakes Country Association for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Resorts on the south side of Lake Mille Lacs are pulling out rental ice houses. The roads are looking great, and as of Jan. 4, roads were staked as far as Sloppy’s, Jordon Hole, Center Bar, E&W and the point. Measurements show an average of 16 inches of ice on the ice roads. To the east, measurements of 13-14 inches were common on Jan. 4. For a great view of current ice conditions and the work required to create and maintain the ice roads, watch this video(opens in new window) by Agate Bay Resort, located on the northeast side of the Lake Mille Lacs.
Fishing has been decent for most anglers. Quite a few walleye are being taken, but most are under the slot limit and on the small side. Some anglers fishing from rental houses are having luck with the perch. Find fishing tips at Tony Roach’s Guide Service video(opens in new window).
Contact the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council for more information.
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