The ice fishing season has ended for most of the state and few fishing reports are available as anglers transition from hard water to open water fishing. Some anglers have begun fishing Minnesota’s streams and rivers, as well as Minnesota lakes that are free of ice —
the DNR’s 2022 Lake Ice Out Dates map is a great resource.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, anglers need to be very cautious due to extremely cold water this time of year.
Learn more about cold water dangers.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2022-2023 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: Stream trout: April 16; walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout: May 14; muskie: June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
The 2022 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will celebrate fishing in a variety of ways, over several weeks and in multiple locations in the Chippewa National Forest region and Leech Lake Reservation. For more information and for updates, visit mngovernorsopener.com.
Before dropping a line, please take time to brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
Northwest RegionThe majority of Lake of the Woods is still covered in ice but there are portions of the lake with open water, including the river inlets, streams and areas with current. The back bays with open water will soon be hot spots for anglers searching for giant pike. Many large sturgeon were pulled from the Rainy River this week. The sturgeon catch-and-release season ends April 23, and the harvest season begins April 24. Get more details about fishing in Northwest Minnesota. |
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Central RegionAnglers are fishing the rivers and creeks in Otter Trail Lakes Country. Many are enjoying fishing for strong-fighting suckers that concentrate in the slack waters. Once the water warms a bit more, crappie and sunfish action will take off in the shallows. Get more details about fishing in Central Minnesota. |
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