Walleye are moving deeper with nice numbers of fish being reported. Low light hours have been best. Panfish anglers are having success by staying mobile until schools of active fish are located. Heavy snow covers lakes throughout the state so anglers will want to use glowing or brightly colored tackle to attract fish.
This weekend, Minnesotans may fish for free when fishing with kids! Saturday, Jan. 15 through Monday, Jan. 17, Minnesota residents can go ice fishing for free if they are fishing with a child 15 years old or younger during Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend.
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.
And before dropping a line, take time to brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
Northeast Region
Lake Vermilion walleye are responding well to buckshot spoons tipped with a minnow head. Duluth’s inland lakes continue to offer lots of fun northern pike and panfish action throughout the day. Grand Rapids area lakes are giving up nice numbers of walleye. The best approach is to drill several holes in one area then actively jig a minnow head in one of the holes, and set a lively shiner or chub on a plain hook with a split shot in another nearby hole. Walleye remain most active during low light periods on lakes throughout the region.
Get more details about fishing in Northeast Minnesota.
Northwest Region
Anglers report that the walleye are most active early in the morning and around dusk. Active jigging has been best for walleye and perch. The weeds are dying back due to heavy snowcover so bait fish are moving to areas with healthy green weeds or out to deeper waters; expect the larger fish species to follow right behind. Brightly colored and glowing jigging spoons have been the most productive.
Get more details about fishing in Northwest Minnesota.
Central Region
The walleye bite has been best in the deeper basins and holes, with fish moving into shallower waters during low light periods. A spoon tipped with a minnow head and jigged near the bottom is ideal for the first hole, and a bobber rod and small sucker or shiner minnow placed near the bottom is productive in the second hole. Due to thick snowcover, use tackle that glows or rattles in the first hole to attract fish. In addition to walleye, the jumbo perch bite has been good on Lake Mille Lacs.
Get more details about fishing in Central Minnesota.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Anglers continue to walk out onto the St. Croix River near Bayport where roughly 8 inches of ice had formed earlier in the month. Areas with flowing water are off limits and anglers must know where they can and cannot go. Crappie action has been very good, especially in the morning and on cloudy days. A variety of ice fishing programs will be offered over the next few weeks in the Twin Cities. Find out more!
Get more information about fishing in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Area.
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