Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update – December 3, 2021

FISHING CONDITIONS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA

BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER

Ice is forming across Lake of the Woods, but more time is need before ice fishing begins in most areas. A few spear houses have been set out on the isolated bays by pike anglers. Anglers wanting to try spear fishing should contact Zippel Bay and Bostic Bay resorts. It is very important to work with a resort or outfitter since they are most knowledgeable of ice conditions. One resort recently reported 5-7 inches on their marked trail, but the trail had to be diverted when they encountered an area with just 1 inch of ice due to springs.

The Rainy River is covered in ice, but due to the river current, more time is needed before anglers can walk out. When conditions allow, a snowmobile trail will be staked from Baudette to Wheeler’s Point offering travel on the river, typically in late December.

Ice covers the lake in areas around Angle Inlet and near the islands of the Northwest Angle, and it is forming rapidly due to the lack of snow cover. As always, please make safety your first priority.

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. 

DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES

Ice thickness ranges from 3-8 inches on some of the smaller, shallow-basin lakes in the Detroit Lakes vicinity. Ice development took a hit following the heavy, wet snow that fell Tuesday night and unseasonably warm temperatures later in the week. If you do plan to walk out, please check ice thickness often.

The panfish bite for crappies and bluegills has been good in 8-12 feet of water in areas supporting foot travel. Small, brightly colored jigs and spoons tipped with high action plastic tails or wax worms have been the most effective. There are no reports of walleye action, but that will change once anglers can access prime locations on the mid-size lakes.

Contact the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce for more information. 

Northeast Region Anglers are starting to venture out onto walkable ice on many lakes in the Ely vicinity, as well as some of the smaller lakes in the Duluth vicinity. Catches consist of mostly northern pike, perch and walleye. Get more details about fishing in Northeast Minnesota.
Northwest Region Ice is forming across Lake of the Woods, and a few pike anglers are fishing out of spear houses in the isolated bays. Anglers are also walking out onto some of the smaller, shallow-basin lakes in the Detroit Lakes vicinity. Get more details about fishing in Northwest Minnesota.
Central Region No information is currently available on fishing in this region of the state.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area No information is currently available on fishing in this region of the state.
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EMBRACE ICE FISHING IN MINNESOTA		PLAN THE PERFECT WINTER GETAWAY
Southern Region The ice on Big Stone Lake has deteriorated rapidly due to recent warm temperatures. Travel is highly discouraged on waters throughout southern Minnesota. In the Lanesboro area, fisheries staff report that the streams are running extremely clear and the trout are at the end of their spawn. Some sections of streams remain open for catch-and-release fishing. Get more details about fishing conditions in Southern Minnesota.