Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report

Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
February 11th, 2010

This report is sponsored by:
Zippel Bay Resort

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Walleye action has become more sporadic with spurts of activity on the flats and deep gravel during low-light periods. The best option is to drill a lot of holes and stay on the move. The same is true with perch and you will have to fish through quite a few small fish to put together a mess of jumbos. Look for better numbers of big perch off the flats in 32 to 34 feet.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West - The guys who are willing to move continue to catch walleyes, perch, and tullibees. The Seven Mile, Eight Mile, Seguchie’s, and Sherman’s flats have been best in 29 to 32 feet. The tullibee action has been excellent in 32 to 36 feet and many of them have good-sized.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Limits of walleyes and sauger are being taken at the Northwest Angle over 25 to 30 feet. Along the south shore, consistent walleye and sauger reports are coming in from 32 to 36 feet west of Pine Island and north to Graceton Beach and Zippel Bay. Gold or glow jigs tipped with minnows are best.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA
Perch action has slightly improved during the day in 10 to 14 feet near Sand Point and on GrandVu Flats. The best walleye option is during low-light periods on the deep humps of Walker Bay. Panfish action has been sporadic in the bays and look deep for eelpout throughout Walker Bay.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Look for crappies in Grays Bay at 20 feet and Spring Park Bay in 12 to 15 feet on Lake Minnetonka. There’s a sporadic sunfish bite in 19 feet in the north arm and Black Lake areas of Minnetonka and on Lake Sarah in 19 feet. Pike are hitting sucker minnows on the 12- to 15-foot weedlines of most lakes. An occasional walleye is pulled from 27 feet on Minnetonka during low-light periods.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
The Franzen Island area in Sand Bay is kicking out walleyes in 36 to 40 feet. The reefs near Grindstone Island and Cranberry Island also have given up walleyes in 35 to 40 feet. Ciscoes are turning northern pike just outside of Cranberry Bay in 12 to 18 feet and an occasional flurry of crappie action is reported in Sand Bay.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
There’s a strong spurt of perch and walleye activity on top of the bars just before dark. Walleyes and perch also are coming off the bars in 26 to 30 feet during the day. Snaghole Bar, Moses Bar, and Horseshoe Bar are the best options. Perch also are showing up on the east side of the lake in 26 to 30 feet.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
Walleyes continue to be caught during low-light periods in 15 feet at Jarvis Lake and in 20 feet at White Bear Lake. Look for crappies in 10 to 12 feet at Demonterville Lake, in 18 feet at Centerville Lake, and in 10 feet at Lake Peltier. Crappies and white bass are being found suspended over 30 to 40 feet on the St. Croix River. Northern pike are an easy catch with sucker minnows on Lake Jane and Centerville Lake.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
Tip-ups and sucker minnows are turning pike on Lake Auburn, Lake Zumbra, and Steiger Lake in eight to 10 feet. Sunfish continue to hit on Dutch Lake in 18 to 21 feet and on Prior Lake in 16 to 18 feet. Look to Whaletail Lake for crappies during the evening hours in 12 to 14 feet. Hydes Lake is a safe bet for crappies in 14 to 16 feet as well.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA
Northern pike remain active during the day on the 12- to 15-foot weed edges. A few walleyes are being taken on fathead minnows during low-light periods on the reefs and Nelson’s Flats. Look for crappies during the evening hours in 12 to 14 feet in areas adjacent to weedlines or reefs. Sunfish action is improving on Center Reef, Wagener’s Bay, and Waconia Bay in 10 to 14 feet.

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
This week’s snow, which totaled about 10 to 12 inches, has limited fishing. Before the snow, crappies and sunfish were hitting on Smith Lake, Lake Geneva, and Lake Le Homme Dieu in 12 to 18 feet. Lake Miltona is giving up a few walleyes at night in 12 to 15 feet with smaller fish coming from 18 to 22 feet. Pike have started hitting on the weedlines of Lake Carlos and Le Homme Dieu.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA
A few walleyes can be had during low-light periods on Clearwater Lake and Cedar Lake in 18 to 26 feet. Look for crappies at French Lake, Pleasant Lake, Lake John, and Clearwater in 20 feet or more. Pelican Lake is giving up sunfish and crappies in shallower water. Look to Clearwater for sunfish in 20 feet and pike are hitting sucker minnows on lakes John, Clearwater, Pleasant, and Marie.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE
An additional seven inches of snow fell this week, but anglers continue to get around on most lakes. Look for walleyes in 18 to 25 feet on lakes such as West Battle, Otter Tail, and Eagle or in 25 to 33 feet at East Battle Lake. Pike are hitting sucker minnows in 15 to 20 feet on West Battle, Otter Tail, North Turtle Lake, and Clitherall Lake. The flats on Otter Tail are giving up perch in 14 to 18 feet. Crappie action is best in 17 to 22 feet at East Battle, Star, Dead, and Pelican lakes. Look for sunfish in 12 to 15 feet at Star, Dead, Pelican, East Battle, and Stuart Lake. Tullibee action is consistent over 32 to 38 feet at Otter Tail and Star lakes.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
Walleyes are biting after dark on the south end of Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, and Grace Lake in 20 to 30 feet. The north end of Lake Bemidji continues to kick out perch in 25 feet or more. Crappies are being found over 25 to 30 feet at Portage Lake, Turtle River Lake, and Grace Lake. Sunfish have started to bite on these lakes, but mainly on the shallow weedbeds. Spearing and angling has been very good on most lakes for northern pike.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA
If you work hard, you’ll catch a few walleyes and perch on Blackduck Lake in 12 to 20 feet. Walleyes generally have been shallower than perch. Panfish anglers continue to struggle, although they are reporting plenty of activity on their electronics. They just don’t seem real interested in biting at this point.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing pike in six to 15 feet on the south end of Gull Lake, Cullen Lake, and North Long Lake. There’s a short window of walleye activity during the evening on Gull Lake in 12 to 40 feet. The south end of Gull and Lake Margaret are producing crappies in 12 to 30 feet. Sunfish action is improving with lakes such as Gull, Cullen, and Nisswa producing fish in 12 to 16 feet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CHISAGO AREA
Panfish continue to be caught in eight to 12 feet at Chisago Lake, North Center Lake, and South Center Lake. Look to Kroon Lake in 22 to 26 feet and to Chisago in 12 to 14 feet for crappies. South Lindstrom Lake continues to give up crappies and an occasional walleye in 22 to 26 feet and Sunrise Lake remains a safe bet for northern pike.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA
Sunfish are being found in eight to 12 feet on Big Mahnomen Lake, while crappies remain active during low-light periods on lakes such as Cedar, Crooked, Upper Dean, Milford, Nokay, Bay, and Mahnomen. An occasional walleye can be had at night in 20 to 30 feet at Serpent Lake and Rabbit Lake. Look to the weedlines of Bay Lake and Lower Mission Lake for northern pike.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

CROSS LAKE AREA
Walleyes continue to hit shiner minnows or rattle spoons and minnow heads on Whitefish Lake, Pelican Lake, and Crosslake over 25 to 35 feet. Anglers also are picking up whitefish on Whitefish Lake over 45 feet. Trout Lake is giving up a few lake trout over deep water and northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on most lakes in 12 to 18 feet. Crappies and sunfish are being found suspended over 16 to 24 feet.
Crosslake Holiday Sports (218) 692-2708

DETROIT LAKES
Ten inches of fresh snow fell this week, but anglers are getting around most lakes. Crappies and sunfish are being taken on waxworms in 17 feet at lakes Melissa, Big Detroit, Floyd, Island, and Severson. A few walleyes can be had during low-light periods in 22 to 25 feet at Pelican Lake, Big Cormorant Lake, and Upper Cormorant Lake. Northern pike remain active in the shallows of most lakes.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA
The harbor in Duluth is producing walleyes and the occasional sturgeon on the edge of the channel in 10 to 15 feet. Walleyes and crappies continue to be found near the bridge on Island Lake in 17 feet. Look to Rice Lake for northern pike in six feet and the Highbanks area of Fish Lake is worth noting for crappies. Anglers fishing from shore with nightcrawlers near the French River on Lake Superior are catching a few coho salmon.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EMILY AREA
Look to Eagle Lake for crappies in 25 to 30 feet and northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Lows Lake in 12 to 15 feet. The north end of Lake Washburn is producing a few walleyes in 20 feet during low-light periods of the day. Sunfish seem to be biting in the area, but most of them have been small.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

GRAND MARAIS AREA
Walleyes are hitting setlines and minnows, Rapalas, or Swedish Pimples in 18 to 20 feet at Hungry Jack Lake, in 12 feet at Flower Lake, and in 15 feet at East Twin Lake. Look for lake trout over 55 feet at Lake Saganaga, over 60 feet at Clearwater Lake, over 45 to 50 feet at Gunflint Lake, and over 40 feet at Moss Lake and Kego Lake. Waxworms are producing brown trout in 20 to 22 feet at Chester Lake and rainbows are hitting waxworms in 12 feet at Esther Lake and in 18 feet at Mink Lake.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Look for crappies over 20 feet on Sugar Lake, over 20 to 30 feet at Rice Lake, and in 40 feet or more on Lake Pokegama. Sunfish are biting in 17 feet at Bass Lake and in 20 feet at Lake Wabana. On Grave Lake, you’ll find sunfish and crappies in 18 to 20 feet. A few walleyes can be had during the evening on Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake in 18 to 22 feet and on Pokegama in 24 feet. Lake trout are being taken on ciscoes or tube jigs on Bluewater Lake over 40 feet and on Big Trout Lake over 40 to 60 feet. Look to Moonshine Lake, Kramer Lake, and Taylor Lake for stream trout.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

LAKE KABETOGAMA
The reefs from the west end of Lake Kabetogama over to Namakan Lake are producing walleyes and pike in 26 to 40 feet. Pike also are being found in the bays or just outside the bays in shallower water.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

LAKE VERMILION
Look for walleyes to hit glow jigs during low-light periods on the humps, breaks, and in most deep holes. Pike have been hitting more consistently than walleyes and most are in shallower water. Rainbow trout and splake are active in local pits and ponds.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052

MANKATO AREA
Jigging Rapalas are producing walleyes during low-light periods in the Grassy Island area of Madison Lake in 12 feet. Look for crappies in the narrows and on Church Bar of Madison in 18 feet. Big Jefferson Lake is producing perch and crappies over 30 feet and Lake Francis is kicking out panfish in eight to 10 feet. A few walleyes can be had off Second and Third points on Lake Washington in 26 to 30 feet.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

McGREGOR AREA
Perch and crappie action has picked up on the north end of Big Sandy Lake. Tullibees also are active in the deep holes of Big Sandy. A few walleyes are coming off Big Sandy in 20 feet or more, but sunfish and northern pike reports are slow, with the exception of some spearing action for pike on Big Sandy.
Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382

ORTONVILLE AREA
This area received a pile of snow this week and it was followed by strong winds so getting around is difficult. Before the snow, the narrows of Artichoke Lake were producing walleyes in nine to 10 feet. Long Tom Lake was giving up a few crappies and reports off Big Stone Lake were pretty quiet.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA
Walleyes are tough to find, although Long Lake has produced a few fish in 26 to 28 feet on shiner minnows. Pike are hitting sucker minnows on Big Mantrap Lake in 13 feet. Look for bluegills on the Crow Wing Chain in 12 feet and Big Mantrap is giving up crappies over 25 feet during low-light periods.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE
Walleye action has been a bit sporadic. A plain hook and minnow has worked best on Center Bar and near the Popples in 13 to 14 feet. Many anglers are seeing fish on their electronics, but they haven’t been real active, often providing a bit more action at sunset. An occasional crappie or two is caught and the northern pike seem real active.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657

RED WING AREA
Jigging Rapalas or rattle spoons are producing walleyes in the Methodist Point area of the Mississippi River in 15 to 18 feet. Look for crappies and northern pike around the docks in Baypoint Park. A few boats continue to hit the river finding walleyes and sauger below the dam in 15 to 20 feet.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Snowfall has made it difficult to travel on many lakes. An occasional walleye and crappie is pulled from Lake Koronis in 25 to 30 feet behind the islands. Pike are active in 10 to 14 feet on Koronis, Rice Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Long Lake. A few sunfish are coming off Rice and Long in eight to 10 feet.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA
This area received about 10 inches of snow, but before it arrived, the north end of Lake Osakis produced sunfish and crappies in 22 to 24 feet early and late in the day. The 45- to 60-foot hole in front of Holiday Resort on Osakis also is giving up crappies. Big Swan Lake started producing sunfish in eight to 12 feet, just south of the narrows. Crappies remain active in the deep holes of Sauk Lake and Lady Lake is kicking out panfish in 10 to 12 feet straight out from the access.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA
The snow piled up over the past week making travel very difficult on the lake. More than a foot of snow was followed by strong winds so fishing reports have been minimal.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239