C-J Johnson
12-11-2002, 01:35 PM
THIS WEEKS HOT SPOT !!!!!!
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Ice fishing is excellent on Lake of the Woods. The South Shore reports fishing in 18 to
20 feet of water for a variety of fish. Larger fish are starting to show but average size walleyes are in abundance. Fishermen are using ATVs or snowmobiles or walking out on the ice, not driving vehicles as of yet. Extreme caution still advised. White, pink and gold jigs are producing a good bite. One angler and his son caught over 100 fish including six walleyes over five pounds that they released, and a big walleye weighing 10.5 pounds. Resort owners have put houses out. Anglers have put houses on both sides of the Rainy River. Fishing is good on the ³shelf² using gold, green or chartreuse jigs. The Northwest Angle and Islands are reporting 10 or more inches of ice. Roads are starting to be plowed and ice houses are being put out.
AND.......
STARBUCK
The walleye bite is the best itıs been in years! Anglers working both ends of the lake are finding a ton of active fish using a jig and minnow combo. Sunnies are hitting on the Glenwood end where the ice seems to be the best. Avoid Priest Point.
ALEXANDRIA
Ice fishing is good. Reno and Le homme Dieu are producing walleyes in depths ranging from 15 to 20 feet. A jig and minnow is taking plenty of eaters. Panfish reports have been just fair at the best.
BATTLE LAKE
Ice fishing is still somewhat slow. The best reports are coming in right now from Rush, Dead and Pelican lakes. Walleye and perch are hitting jig and minnow combos but itıs still nothing to write home about.
BEMIDJI
The south end of Bemidji is very active right now with walleyes. Anglers working a jig and minnow combo right at dusk are finding plenty of eaters in 13 to 15 feet of water. Ice conditions are fair with the average being 6 to 8 inches. Red Lake is still slow.
BIG STONE
Walleye and perch are smacking jigging spoons on the south end of Big Stone in 8 to
10 feet of water. The average ice thickness ranges between 5 to 7 inches and growing!
BLACKDUCK
Walleye fishing is just fair. Depths ranging from 16 to 20 feet have been the most productive. The perch bite is much better. These fish are chunky and aggressive. Shallow water is holding most of the action in 6 to 8 feet. Ice conditions are in the 10-inch range
as we speak.
CHISAGO CITY
The ice fishing season is officially here. We have good walking and ATV ice. Walleyes are active on South Center along Sunset Point. The northeast corner of North Center is also productive as well as the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom. Donıt forget the
Dinner Bell Bay. As Brad would say, ³The bite is on!²
CROSSLAKE
Colder temps this past week added inches to lakes already frozen over and covered the remaining few. Walleye action is starting off with a bang, many area lakes are giving up fish. Try jigging with rattle spoons with fatheads or shiners. Northern action is hot with fish being found both shallow and deep. Use tip-ups with pike minnows along points and drop-offs. Crappie action remains good with anglers reporting action on many lakes with glow hooks and jigs with waxies and minnows.
DETROIT LAKES
The ice fishing action is into full swing in the Detroit Lakes area! We have 8 to 11 inches of good, clear ice. There are vehicles going out on many lakes. Good panfish bite going on Jigs tipped with a waxworm on Little Detroit, Lizzie, Prairie, Cotton, Town, Little Cormorant and Stump. The walleyes are starting to go early and late in the day on jigging spoons and fatheads or shiners in 12 to 18 feet. Big Detroit, Cormorant, Lida, Island, Cotton, Big Toad, Ottertail and Big Pine are all good bets for some walleye action.
DULUTH
Ice fishing is really taking off. Rice, Fish, Boulder and the St. Louis River are all reporting good catches. Chubs and spoons seem to be the bait of choice on Superior, anglers are reporting good catches of camloops along the mouth of the French and Lester rivers using their boats. Trolling Bombers has been the bait of choice.
EDEN VALLEY
Walleye fishing is going strong on Koronis in 16 to 24 feet and Rice Lake in 12 to 16 feet. Anglers who love to spear northerns are finding plenty reasons to smile on Koronis. Theyıve taken some awesome fish. Panfish reports are still slow.
GRAND RAPIDS
Walleyes and crappies are very active on Splithand and Cut Foot. Crappies have been very finicky so far. The trick to catching these treats is to use 2-pound line with tiny ice jigs. Northern reports have been good from 3rd River out of the spear shacks. Pokegama is also
giving up some nice panfish in the bays. Sylvan Bay is also worth a look.
HACKENSACK
Walleye fishing is hot in 17-21 feet, from 3 p.m. to dark. Spearing is off to a slow start, with
nothing large to report. Panfishing is yet to get hot, however, lakes on the Wood Tick are producing some.
KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN
This past week was a real ice maker, lots of cold weather developed good solid ice in excess of 10 to 12 inches on Kabetogama with Namakan at 6 to 8 inches as of Monday. The majority of fish taken have been pike by spearing with recent weekend pressure now by anglers for walleyes and crappies. Live bait presentation with glow jigs seem to be the favorite for anglers. All reports indicate angling was slow over the weekend. Spear
fishermen report fair action during the week with a few reported over 15 pounds.
LEECH LAKE
Ice conditions are excellent. Many portions of Leech Lake have 10 to 14 inches of ice. We are beginning to see small vehicles traveling on the ice. There is quite a bit of ATV and snowmobile travel as well. Much of the ice fishing action is taking place in Steamboat Bay, Boy Bay and off Pine Point in typical early season areas. Smaller perch are being caught off Pine Point in 8 to 11 feet of water. Some better jumbo size perch are being caught in Traders Bay in 13 to 15 feet. Most anglers are using small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head for the jumbo perch. Northern pike action from Steamboat Bay and Boy Bay has been good. Walleyes are being caught in the Grand View Flats area off Pine Point, the channel near Walker Narrowsin Steamboat Bay, Boy Bay and on the humps of Walker Bay. The ice in Walker Bay is the narrowest ice on the lake, travel cautiously here as only 4 to 8 inches of ice on most of the bay. However, the humps here are putting out numbers of walleyes, especially over the weekend with 22- to 25-inch fish caught and released. Walleyes are responding to a spoon tipped with a minnow head jigged aggressively over humps topping out in the 22- to 26-foot depth range. Other walleyes are biting shiner minnows on a chartreuse super-glo #4 hook under a bobber. These presentations are working very well in Boy Bay for walleyes. All small lakes in the area reporting excellent ice conditions. Travel on the area lakes with ATVıs common. Welsh Lake north of Walker reporting crappie action on the south end of the lake in 16 feet of water.
MANKATO
All weıve heard so far is that Francis and Washington are giving up some decent sunnies and crappies. Otherwise, stay tuned for next week.
MAPLEWOOD
The average ice thickness for the metro area lakes is around 6 inches. However, each lake is different so always proceed with caution. Early reports have some nice northerns and
panfish being caught on White Bear, Big Marine and Bald Eagle. Next week should be somewhat better as we hear more feedback.
MAPLELAKE
Buffalo and Clearwater are both excellent choices right now for walleyes. Mid depth structures are holding plenty of active fish. Panfish reports are also positive from Ramsey and Little Maple lakes.
MILLE LACS
Average ice thickness in the south end bays is 8 to 10 inches thick. Perch reports have been
surprisingly good. Anglers working rocky structures in 10 to 12 feet have come across a ton of small perch as well as some nice eaters mixed in. Walleye reports have also picked up lately in deeper water. The magic depth seems to be 24 to 26 feet. A jigging spoon has worked well along with a set rig tipped with a shiner.
MONTEVIDEO
Walleye and crappie fishing has been decent around Randallıs and the mouth of Voldenıs Pit.
NISSWA
Walleye reports have picked up this past week on Round Lake as well as the perimeter of Gull. The best presentation has been a slip bobber rig worked during the evening. For northerns, check out Nisswa.
PELICAN RAPIDS
Anglers working with ATVıs are finding plenty of walleyes on Lizzy, Crystal, Lida, and Pelican lakes. For panfish, head towards Star Lake around the bridge. Prairie Lake is also worth a look. Ice conditions can change quickly, so always proceed with caution.
RAINY LAKE
Numerous bays are frozen. Some foot traffic is on the bays ? mainly by folks who know the lake very well and have drilled for ice depths. Do not venture out for a bay walk quite yet if you do not know the lake.
SAINT CROIX
St. Croix River ice on the Bayport section of the river is 3 to 5 inches thick in many areas, but test the ice with an ice spud before each trip. The sauger and crappie ice fishing bite
has been fair with most fish coming on 1/16-ounce gold jigs tipped with small crappie minnows. Jigging lures tipped with a minnow head have also been effective on sauger and a few walleye as well. Best depths have been around 22 feet. Mississippi River - Vertical jigging with a 3/8-ounce jig and minnow or plastic tail has been productive on walleyes and sauger within three miles of the Red Wing Dam in depths from
18-24 feet. Mississippi River level 668.9 feet above sea level at Lock and Dam #3.
UPPER RED LAKE
The ice has gotten much thicker. Right around 10 inches of ice where we put our houses at. The fishing is still slow but with more people around to try fishing we should see some better results. Hopefully by the weekend we will be driving out, but give us a call first before you make plans. Last year it was not till Christmas before we had houses on the lake, so we have a bonus of a couple extra weeks.
LAKE VERMILION AREA
Fish deep, 20 to 30 feet if you want any success catching walleyes on Lake Vermilion. Last weekıs cold weather gave us 10 plus inches of solid ice and growing! Fishermen are driving
trucks and cars on the Tower-Soudan end of the lake. A bare hook and minnow off the bottom 6 inches is working well. The walleyes are biting at Shagawa Lake in Ely in 20-feet plus. Swedish pimples, tipped with a minnow, 6 inches off bottom are working best. Plenty of ice on small lakes around the area and some fair reports on the crappie, and northern fishing. Pelican Lake in Orr has been producing Crappies and a mixed bag of sizes has been
reported. A nice warm spell will activate a feeding frenzy. Spear fishermen are just getting their houses out and are reporting fair success.
WABASHA
Right now, the best thing going is the panfish bite in most of the back waters. Tiny jigs tipped with crappie minnows or waxies have taken some nice catches.
WACONIA
Some big walleyes have come to the scales already this season with the tops being over 29 inches! The majority of nice fish are coming off of Cemetery Reef in 13 to 17 feet. Crappie action is decent along th 12-foot weed edges in Waconia Bay. Ice thickness is 5 to 7 inches right now.
WAYZATA
Walleye fishing is good in the bays in 20 to 24 feet. Tip-ups or jig and minnow combos worked right at dusk are taking some nice fish. Northern reports are good along the weed edges in 15 feet. Panfish seem to be very active in the western bays.
WILLMAR
Walleye fishing has taken off on Ringo and Willmar Foot. Smaller fish are also active on Diamond and Norway. Panfish action is good on Florida. Ice conditions are good with
the average thickness being 8 inches.
WINNIBIGOSHISH
We have 10 to 11-1/2 inches of ice out for a mile and a half. Still just using ATVs or snowmobiles because of the weather. Spear houses are out and we now have some angling houses out. Watch ALL inlets and outlets for thin ice.
Thanks to Outdoors Weekly for Compiling this report.
C-J Johnson - Outdoor Media Relations
Minnesota Office of Tourism
100 Metro Square
121 7th Place
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
For further assistance or interviews contact:
curt.johnson@state.mn.us
651-297-3488
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Ice fishing is excellent on Lake of the Woods. The South Shore reports fishing in 18 to
20 feet of water for a variety of fish. Larger fish are starting to show but average size walleyes are in abundance. Fishermen are using ATVs or snowmobiles or walking out on the ice, not driving vehicles as of yet. Extreme caution still advised. White, pink and gold jigs are producing a good bite. One angler and his son caught over 100 fish including six walleyes over five pounds that they released, and a big walleye weighing 10.5 pounds. Resort owners have put houses out. Anglers have put houses on both sides of the Rainy River. Fishing is good on the ³shelf² using gold, green or chartreuse jigs. The Northwest Angle and Islands are reporting 10 or more inches of ice. Roads are starting to be plowed and ice houses are being put out.
AND.......
STARBUCK
The walleye bite is the best itıs been in years! Anglers working both ends of the lake are finding a ton of active fish using a jig and minnow combo. Sunnies are hitting on the Glenwood end where the ice seems to be the best. Avoid Priest Point.
ALEXANDRIA
Ice fishing is good. Reno and Le homme Dieu are producing walleyes in depths ranging from 15 to 20 feet. A jig and minnow is taking plenty of eaters. Panfish reports have been just fair at the best.
BATTLE LAKE
Ice fishing is still somewhat slow. The best reports are coming in right now from Rush, Dead and Pelican lakes. Walleye and perch are hitting jig and minnow combos but itıs still nothing to write home about.
BEMIDJI
The south end of Bemidji is very active right now with walleyes. Anglers working a jig and minnow combo right at dusk are finding plenty of eaters in 13 to 15 feet of water. Ice conditions are fair with the average being 6 to 8 inches. Red Lake is still slow.
BIG STONE
Walleye and perch are smacking jigging spoons on the south end of Big Stone in 8 to
10 feet of water. The average ice thickness ranges between 5 to 7 inches and growing!
BLACKDUCK
Walleye fishing is just fair. Depths ranging from 16 to 20 feet have been the most productive. The perch bite is much better. These fish are chunky and aggressive. Shallow water is holding most of the action in 6 to 8 feet. Ice conditions are in the 10-inch range
as we speak.
CHISAGO CITY
The ice fishing season is officially here. We have good walking and ATV ice. Walleyes are active on South Center along Sunset Point. The northeast corner of North Center is also productive as well as the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom. Donıt forget the
Dinner Bell Bay. As Brad would say, ³The bite is on!²
CROSSLAKE
Colder temps this past week added inches to lakes already frozen over and covered the remaining few. Walleye action is starting off with a bang, many area lakes are giving up fish. Try jigging with rattle spoons with fatheads or shiners. Northern action is hot with fish being found both shallow and deep. Use tip-ups with pike minnows along points and drop-offs. Crappie action remains good with anglers reporting action on many lakes with glow hooks and jigs with waxies and minnows.
DETROIT LAKES
The ice fishing action is into full swing in the Detroit Lakes area! We have 8 to 11 inches of good, clear ice. There are vehicles going out on many lakes. Good panfish bite going on Jigs tipped with a waxworm on Little Detroit, Lizzie, Prairie, Cotton, Town, Little Cormorant and Stump. The walleyes are starting to go early and late in the day on jigging spoons and fatheads or shiners in 12 to 18 feet. Big Detroit, Cormorant, Lida, Island, Cotton, Big Toad, Ottertail and Big Pine are all good bets for some walleye action.
DULUTH
Ice fishing is really taking off. Rice, Fish, Boulder and the St. Louis River are all reporting good catches. Chubs and spoons seem to be the bait of choice on Superior, anglers are reporting good catches of camloops along the mouth of the French and Lester rivers using their boats. Trolling Bombers has been the bait of choice.
EDEN VALLEY
Walleye fishing is going strong on Koronis in 16 to 24 feet and Rice Lake in 12 to 16 feet. Anglers who love to spear northerns are finding plenty reasons to smile on Koronis. Theyıve taken some awesome fish. Panfish reports are still slow.
GRAND RAPIDS
Walleyes and crappies are very active on Splithand and Cut Foot. Crappies have been very finicky so far. The trick to catching these treats is to use 2-pound line with tiny ice jigs. Northern reports have been good from 3rd River out of the spear shacks. Pokegama is also
giving up some nice panfish in the bays. Sylvan Bay is also worth a look.
HACKENSACK
Walleye fishing is hot in 17-21 feet, from 3 p.m. to dark. Spearing is off to a slow start, with
nothing large to report. Panfishing is yet to get hot, however, lakes on the Wood Tick are producing some.
KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN
This past week was a real ice maker, lots of cold weather developed good solid ice in excess of 10 to 12 inches on Kabetogama with Namakan at 6 to 8 inches as of Monday. The majority of fish taken have been pike by spearing with recent weekend pressure now by anglers for walleyes and crappies. Live bait presentation with glow jigs seem to be the favorite for anglers. All reports indicate angling was slow over the weekend. Spear
fishermen report fair action during the week with a few reported over 15 pounds.
LEECH LAKE
Ice conditions are excellent. Many portions of Leech Lake have 10 to 14 inches of ice. We are beginning to see small vehicles traveling on the ice. There is quite a bit of ATV and snowmobile travel as well. Much of the ice fishing action is taking place in Steamboat Bay, Boy Bay and off Pine Point in typical early season areas. Smaller perch are being caught off Pine Point in 8 to 11 feet of water. Some better jumbo size perch are being caught in Traders Bay in 13 to 15 feet. Most anglers are using small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head for the jumbo perch. Northern pike action from Steamboat Bay and Boy Bay has been good. Walleyes are being caught in the Grand View Flats area off Pine Point, the channel near Walker Narrowsin Steamboat Bay, Boy Bay and on the humps of Walker Bay. The ice in Walker Bay is the narrowest ice on the lake, travel cautiously here as only 4 to 8 inches of ice on most of the bay. However, the humps here are putting out numbers of walleyes, especially over the weekend with 22- to 25-inch fish caught and released. Walleyes are responding to a spoon tipped with a minnow head jigged aggressively over humps topping out in the 22- to 26-foot depth range. Other walleyes are biting shiner minnows on a chartreuse super-glo #4 hook under a bobber. These presentations are working very well in Boy Bay for walleyes. All small lakes in the area reporting excellent ice conditions. Travel on the area lakes with ATVıs common. Welsh Lake north of Walker reporting crappie action on the south end of the lake in 16 feet of water.
MANKATO
All weıve heard so far is that Francis and Washington are giving up some decent sunnies and crappies. Otherwise, stay tuned for next week.
MAPLEWOOD
The average ice thickness for the metro area lakes is around 6 inches. However, each lake is different so always proceed with caution. Early reports have some nice northerns and
panfish being caught on White Bear, Big Marine and Bald Eagle. Next week should be somewhat better as we hear more feedback.
MAPLELAKE
Buffalo and Clearwater are both excellent choices right now for walleyes. Mid depth structures are holding plenty of active fish. Panfish reports are also positive from Ramsey and Little Maple lakes.
MILLE LACS
Average ice thickness in the south end bays is 8 to 10 inches thick. Perch reports have been
surprisingly good. Anglers working rocky structures in 10 to 12 feet have come across a ton of small perch as well as some nice eaters mixed in. Walleye reports have also picked up lately in deeper water. The magic depth seems to be 24 to 26 feet. A jigging spoon has worked well along with a set rig tipped with a shiner.
MONTEVIDEO
Walleye and crappie fishing has been decent around Randallıs and the mouth of Voldenıs Pit.
NISSWA
Walleye reports have picked up this past week on Round Lake as well as the perimeter of Gull. The best presentation has been a slip bobber rig worked during the evening. For northerns, check out Nisswa.
PELICAN RAPIDS
Anglers working with ATVıs are finding plenty of walleyes on Lizzy, Crystal, Lida, and Pelican lakes. For panfish, head towards Star Lake around the bridge. Prairie Lake is also worth a look. Ice conditions can change quickly, so always proceed with caution.
RAINY LAKE
Numerous bays are frozen. Some foot traffic is on the bays ? mainly by folks who know the lake very well and have drilled for ice depths. Do not venture out for a bay walk quite yet if you do not know the lake.
SAINT CROIX
St. Croix River ice on the Bayport section of the river is 3 to 5 inches thick in many areas, but test the ice with an ice spud before each trip. The sauger and crappie ice fishing bite
has been fair with most fish coming on 1/16-ounce gold jigs tipped with small crappie minnows. Jigging lures tipped with a minnow head have also been effective on sauger and a few walleye as well. Best depths have been around 22 feet. Mississippi River - Vertical jigging with a 3/8-ounce jig and minnow or plastic tail has been productive on walleyes and sauger within three miles of the Red Wing Dam in depths from
18-24 feet. Mississippi River level 668.9 feet above sea level at Lock and Dam #3.
UPPER RED LAKE
The ice has gotten much thicker. Right around 10 inches of ice where we put our houses at. The fishing is still slow but with more people around to try fishing we should see some better results. Hopefully by the weekend we will be driving out, but give us a call first before you make plans. Last year it was not till Christmas before we had houses on the lake, so we have a bonus of a couple extra weeks.
LAKE VERMILION AREA
Fish deep, 20 to 30 feet if you want any success catching walleyes on Lake Vermilion. Last weekıs cold weather gave us 10 plus inches of solid ice and growing! Fishermen are driving
trucks and cars on the Tower-Soudan end of the lake. A bare hook and minnow off the bottom 6 inches is working well. The walleyes are biting at Shagawa Lake in Ely in 20-feet plus. Swedish pimples, tipped with a minnow, 6 inches off bottom are working best. Plenty of ice on small lakes around the area and some fair reports on the crappie, and northern fishing. Pelican Lake in Orr has been producing Crappies and a mixed bag of sizes has been
reported. A nice warm spell will activate a feeding frenzy. Spear fishermen are just getting their houses out and are reporting fair success.
WABASHA
Right now, the best thing going is the panfish bite in most of the back waters. Tiny jigs tipped with crappie minnows or waxies have taken some nice catches.
WACONIA
Some big walleyes have come to the scales already this season with the tops being over 29 inches! The majority of nice fish are coming off of Cemetery Reef in 13 to 17 feet. Crappie action is decent along th 12-foot weed edges in Waconia Bay. Ice thickness is 5 to 7 inches right now.
WAYZATA
Walleye fishing is good in the bays in 20 to 24 feet. Tip-ups or jig and minnow combos worked right at dusk are taking some nice fish. Northern reports are good along the weed edges in 15 feet. Panfish seem to be very active in the western bays.
WILLMAR
Walleye fishing has taken off on Ringo and Willmar Foot. Smaller fish are also active on Diamond and Norway. Panfish action is good on Florida. Ice conditions are good with
the average thickness being 8 inches.
WINNIBIGOSHISH
We have 10 to 11-1/2 inches of ice out for a mile and a half. Still just using ATVs or snowmobiles because of the weather. Spear houses are out and we now have some angling houses out. Watch ALL inlets and outlets for thin ice.
Thanks to Outdoors Weekly for Compiling this report.
C-J Johnson - Outdoor Media Relations
Minnesota Office of Tourism
100 Metro Square
121 7th Place
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
For further assistance or interviews contact:
curt.johnson@state.mn.us
651-297-3488