Minnesota WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – MARCH 11, 2022

It’s time for a fish fry! Crappies, bluegills and jumbo perch have taken center stage on most lakes in the state. This time of year can offer some of the best ice fishing of the season for panfish as fish begin feeding more heavily before the upcoming spawn. Look for them as they move from the basins to old weedlines and muddy-bottomed bays.

The deadline to remove fish houses from inland lakes in the southern two-thirds of the state was March 7; fish houses on lakes in the northern one-third must be removed by March 21. On Minnesota-Canada border waters, the removal deadline is March 31. Anglers are asked to properly dispose of all garbage, sewage or wastewater on the ice. Learn more.

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 walleye and sauger season for Minnesota waters that border Canada remains open until April 14.

Please remember that ice conditions can vary greatly from one lake to another, and on the same body of water. 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.

Northwest Region Anglers are taking a mixed bag of fish on Lake of the Woods with reports of walleye, sauger, jumbo perch, northern pike, eelpout, tullibee and even a few crappies. A small jigging spoon or plain hook tipped with a smaller live minnow, minnow head or minnow tail has been effective. Anglers fishing Detroit Lakes area lakes are catching lots of panfish and tullibee. Most of the panfish are holding over deeper water and soft bottom areas. Tullibee can be found suspended over deep basin areas. Get more details about fishing in Northwest Minnesota.

Central Region Panfish in Otter Tail Lakes Country lakes are starting to head shallow to feed on insects hatching in the mud. For the most action, use small jigs and plastics in 8-11 feet of water. Tullibee fishing is picking up and will continually increase over the next few weeks. On Lake Mille Lacs, anglers continue to head out in search of perch, northern pike and tullibee. The northern pike season remains open through March 31 on Lake Mille Lacs, and many resorts are keeping their ice roads open to pike, perch and tullibee hot spots. Get more details about fishing in Central Minnesota.

Northeast Region

Good concentrations of large bluegills are showing up in the shallows looking for bug hatches, but many are still holding in deeper waters. Small tungsten jigs tipped with a soft plastic, waxworm or euro larvae have been productive, especially at dawn and dusk. Jumbo perch are also being taken.

Get more details about fishing in Northeast Minnesota.