WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – DECEMBER 16, 2022
Warm temperatures and heavy snowfall have stalled ice development. While anglers are venturing out onto the ice in many areas of the state, everyone must use extreme caution and check ice thickness often. It is very important to work with a resort of outfitter that is knowledgeable of current ice conditions, especially early in the ice fishing season.
Please rememeber that 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.
Please remember that what is left on the ice will end up in our lakes next year. Please do your part to keep our waters clean by properly disposing your trash and other forms of waste. Learn more about the Keep it Clean program.
Before dropping a line, brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
BAUDETTE/WARROAD – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Ice fishing is in full swing on Lake of the Woods. Initial fishing reports have been good with lots of walleye and sauger mixed in with eelpout, jumbo perch, northern pike, tullibee and some huge sturgeon. Most fishing is taking place in 22-27 feet of water. Successful anglers are using a jigging rod in one hole and a deadstick with a live minnow in another hole. Anglers should work through resorts and outfitters for transportation on the ice. As ice thickens and anglers travel out on their own, it is extremely important to stay on the marked trails, drive slowly and not exceed weight limits. Please remember that all anglers must secure and remove their trash carefully. TheRainy River has frozen over and some anglers are ice fishing on the river. Walleye and sauger are being reported, along with a few catch-and-release lake sturgeon. Please note that ice conditions are extremely variable due to river current so anglers are encouraged to work through a resort or outfitter if heading out.
Contact Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI AREA LAKES
The walleye bite has been good on Lake Bemidji, Plantagenet, and the Turtle River Chain. Most of the fish have come from depths of 10-15 feet off the first breaks. Jigging spoons and minnow heads are turning fish, especially early and late in the day. Nice-sized perch are hitting in the same areas. The panfish bite has been decent with crappies and bluegills pulled from the shallow, weedlines and deeper basins. The small to medium size lakes in the Bemidji area have up to 10 inches of ice but ice thickness can vary greatly. On Lake Bemidji, ice measures 5-8 inches in some areas with the thickest ice on the south end of the lake. Heavy snow is falling which could impact ice conditions but forecasted cold temperatures should help ice to build once again. Early in the season and during periods of heavy snowfall, anglers must check ice thickness often when traveling out on the ice. Learn more at Dick Beardsley’s fishing video(opens in new window).
Contact Visit Bemidji for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
The ice ranges from 8-12 inches thick on most lakes in the Detroit Lakes area. On lakes that developed ice last, such as Cormorant, Rose and Long, ice thickness ranges from 3-7 inches. Earlier this week, walleye were biting during early morning hours and around dusk on the shoreline breaks. Crappies and bluegills were also active. Unfortunately, a half foot of wet, heavy snow fell on Tuesday night with another 4-6 inches of snow expected through the end of the day Friday. This wet, heavy snow will cause ice conditions to change significantly and make travel on the lakes more difficult. Anglers should expect flooding and slushing. Anyone planning to venture out should first check with a local resort or bait shop for the most current ice conditions.
Contact the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Anglers fishing the east side of Lake Mille Lacs last weekend reported good walleye and perch action. Jigging and bobber fishing in roughly 15 feet of water worked well, especially during morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the bays had as much as a foot of ice.
As of Thursday, Dec. 1, anglers are allowed to keep one walleye measuring between 21-23 inches or one walleye longer than 28 inches on Lake Mille Lacs. To learn more, visit the DNR’s Lake Mille Lacs fishing regulations page(opens in new window).
Contact the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council for more information.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AREA
TWIN CITIES TROUT UNLIMITED
Plan ahead for upcoming Twin Cities Trout Unlimited events. Practice your casting indoors through open gym casting sessions at the Dayton Downtown YMCA in Minneapolis. Sessions will be offered Jan. 14, Feb. 11 & March 11. Find out more(opens in new window).
Contact Twin Cities Trout Unlimited(opens in new window) for more programs and information.
MINNESOTA DNR
The DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Winter Series will include a Winter Sturgeon Fishing webinar on Dec. 28, and Ice Fishing for Lake Trout webinar on Jan. 11. Sign up here(opens in new window).
Contact the Minnesota DNR(opens in new window) for more information.
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