Minnesota Fishing Reports : Minnesota Fishing Tournaments : Minnesota Fishing Leagues

We could get a bunch of guys to get out fishing and throw a buck in the pot for big fish, or something.  Several of us ice fish and I am game.  I know that the LoadMaster, Ouitdee, John K., and I went out a bunch last year and it was a blast.  I hope we do again.  I loved it.  The Tulibees was a great deal, gotta do that again. 

Hey Loadmaster would you and your fishing partner want to setup a time, say every other week or weekend to get after some fish on ice? 

Anyone else want to do it? 

This fishing report is straight from the AP......those lucky devils have already started in some areas.  We should be ready to chisel by Monday I bet.

ALEXANDRIA AREA

     A skim of ice had formed on many of the area's small lakes last

week, but most of it disappeared earlier this week. There were a

few boat fishermen over the weekend looking for walleyes on Lake

Miltona and Lake Ida. With any amount of cold, that will quickly

end as most lakes appear ready to ice cap.

 ANNANDALE AREA

     The ice that had begun to form melted away last weekend. Heavy

rains and warm temperatures earlier this week were to be followed

by cold weather, which could allow for some ice angling within the

next couple of weeks.

 BATTLE LAKE

     Muskie anglers continue to catch a few fish on West Battle Lake.

Large sucker minnows or crankbaits have worked best in 15 to 20

feet of water. Many small lakes were ice covered until earlier this

week. Water temperatures are extremely cold so look for ice to form

quickly once the weather turns cooler.

 BEMIDJI AREA

     Ice has begun to form. Even though the bigger bodies of water

remain open, three to four inches of ice can be found on many small

lakes. With a few cold nights, look for anglers to start walking on

these small fisheries.

 BLACKDUCK AREA

     There is some ice fishing taking place on Blackduck Lake where

four inches of ice is the norm. Look for perch and walleyes in

eight to 12 feet of water, but as ice depths improve, expect a more

consistent bite in 18 feet of water. You'll find four to five

inches of ice on most small lakes, which should allow plenty of ice

fishing activity by this weekend.

 CASS LAKE AREA

     The big lakes remain open, but most small bodies of water are

ice capped. Some limited ice fishing opportunities do exist on the

small lakes already and with a few more cold nights, anglers should

be able to find plenty of spots to walk on and fish.

 DULUTH AREA

     The ice fishing season is close as most small lakes and bays are

now ice-covered. A few anglers continue to fish open water on the

rivers and streams, but reports have been limited.

 FAIRMONT AREA

     Fathead minnows are producing perch on Iowa Lake in three to

four feet of water. There's still plenty of open water, but most

anglers seem to be waiting for ice to develop.

 GRAND MARAIS AREA

     You'll find approximately four inches of ice on most smaller

bodies of water. A few anglers have begun ice fishing on lakes such

as Mink and Elbow, but success has been limited. The bigger lakes

offered only shoreline ice as of Tuesday morning.

 GRAND RAPIDS AREA

     Ice has covered most lakes with some fishing activity reported

on a handful of area fisheries. Ice fishing activity has been more

noticeable just a bit north of the immediate area. By the weekend,

look for many traditional first ice spots to be holding anglers if

it gets cold.

 HACKENSACK AREA

     There was some ice fishing going on before the warm weather

arrived earlier this week. But Tuesday's wind and rain ended it.

While ice continues to cover many small lakes, a few nights of cold

weather quickly would make enough ice for foot travel.

 LAKE KABETOGAMA

     Most of Kabetogama was ice-covered early last week. It has since

opened and only shoreline ice and a few ice covered bays remained

as of Tuesday morning. The wind, warm temperatures, and sleet early

this week caused many ice-covered areas to reopen.

 LAKE MILLE LACS

     The main lake remains open, but there is some shoreline ice and

limited ice is starting to form in the bays. With a few nights of

cold, calm weather look for the bays to see some ice angling

activity soon.

 LAKE MINNETONKA

     Before this week's warm up, ice had begun to form along the

shorelines and in many bays. As of Tuesday morning, the wind and

rain had eliminated most of the ice that did exist.

 LAKE OF THE WOODS

     The Rainy River, Four Mile Bay and Zipple Bay are ice capped.

There is some ice on the main lake as well and it has remained

relatively cool. Look for some ice fishing opportunities in the

bays as early as this weekend or next week if it remains cold and

calm.

 LAKE VERMILION

     Everyone is waiting for the ice fishing season to get started.

There is some ice forming in the bays and along the shorelines so

it might not be that far away. With the next stretch of cold

weather there's a good chance traditional first ice spots may see

activity.

 LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

     As of Tuesday morning, the main lake was open. It has skimmed

with ice several times only to reopen with the warm weather. Sugar

Bay and the Third River areas have remained ice capped and there's

a good chance, with a few nights of cold weather, that spear

fishermen will be able to get on these areas soon.

 LEECH LAKE AREA

     There's still a lot of open water on the main lake. A handful of

bays are ice covered, but significant wind and rain earlier this

week prevented additional ice from forming. Many small lakes in

this region also have a coating of ice so a few nights of cold

weather quickly would improve ice depths.

 MANKATO AREA

     A jig and minnow continues to produce walleyes for the few

anglers who continue to fish the Minnesota River and Blue Earth

River. Most anglers seem to have put away their open water gear and

are waiting for walkable ice to develop.

 PARK RAPIDS AREA

     Despite heavy rains earlier this week, the ice that was in place

seemed to remain intact. Many small lakes had up to three inches of

ice before the rain so a few nights of cold weather could allow

foot travel on these fisheries.

 RAINY LAKE

     You'll find two to four inches of ice in the wind-protected

bays. Open water still exists on the main lake, but with the right

weather, some of the bays may see foot travel within the next

week.

 RED LAKE

     There's enough ice to walk on in a few areas of the lake. The

wind and warm temperatures opened much of the lake that had been

frozen. The few people fishing through the ice are catching

walleyes at a good pace. With a few nights of cold, calm weather

look for the ice fishing season to move quickly forward.

 RED WING AREA

     Warm weather last weekend allowed boat anglers to spend a lot of

time on the Mississippi River. Walleye and sauger reports have been

good near the dam in 14 to 18 feet of water. Hair jigs and minnows

have triggered the majority of fish.

 TWIN CITIES AREA

     NORTHEAST - You'll find nothing but open water. A handful of

anglers continues to fish the St. Croix River with limited success

for walleyes, sauger and northern pike. A jig and minnow has worked

best in 15 to 20 feet of water.

     WEST - Open water activity has been limited and ice has yet to

form. Some small lakes and bays were ice covered last week, but

they opened over the weekend due to warm temperatures and wind.