REGIONAL FISHING REPORTS

[Lee Borgersen]

                        REGIONAL FISHING REPORTS

 Dec 25, 2014
 
Lake of the Woods

Anglers using a jigging approach are catching the most fish on Lake of the Woods, with a nice variety of saugers, walleye, perch, eelpout and even some crappies being taken. At Four-Mile Bay, Pine Island and Morris Point Gap, depths of 18 to 28 feet of water out to 31 feet have been the most productive. At Zippel Bay, Long Point, Twin Islands and Rocky Point, anglers have had their best luck in 24 to 26 feet of water. The most productive colors have been bubblegum, gold and glow red. Jig in one hole and use a set line in the other. On the set line, use a plain hook tipped with a live minnow, especially during morning and afternoon hours. Electronics are very helpful, with anglers reporting many fish suspended 5 to 6 feet off bottom. On average, ice measures 14- to 17-inches thick, but anglers should stick to staked trails and use special caution near pressure ridges.


In the Northwest Angle area, Allen Edman of Edman's Angling Adventure said limits of eating-sized walleye and sauger are being caught on a variety of presentations. Glow and glow red lures have been working great as well as the deadstick, or set line presentation in Little Traverse Bay, with the best action in about 20 feet of water. Ice depth is averaging 16 inches. Snow cover is adequate for snowmobiling, but winds have blown it around, and there are still a few bare ice patches on the lake.

Devils Lake

Most anglers continue to report spotty perch fishing, although a few of the guides on the lake have reported finding pockets of fish. Walleye fishing has been pretty good, with fish as shallow as 6 feet but best action in that 8- to 12-foot range. According to the latest report from Bry's Guide Service, pike seem to be all over, many numerous fish in the 3- to 5-pound range. Smelt or herring fished below tip-ups or jigging with rattle spoons has produced the best results.

Upper Red Lake

Ice conditions are about the same as last week, with 16 to 18 inches in most places, according to West Wind Resort in Waskish, Minn. The temperature is supposed to fall this weekend, which should help fishing, as action has been sporadic. Look for that to improve when the temperature stabilizes.

Most anglers have been fishing in 8 to 12 feet of water along the gravel bars. The fishing remains fairly consistent right before dark and after dark using fatheads and a red demon or rattler, according to West Wind's report.

Bemidji

Lakes in the Bemidji area were melting again this week, but the forecasted colder temperatures should improve ice conditions on all area lakes. Many local lakes still don't have enough ice for vehicle traffic, so anglers with ATVs have the best access to the majority of lakes at this time. The larger area lakes such as Bemidji, Cass, Pike Bay, Plantagenet and Winnibigoshish all offer good access to walleyes, northern pike and perch. Many of the smaller area lakes have walleyes and northern pike, but they can also offer good fishing for crappies and sunfish. Most of the action is taking place on the shoreline break, so anglers have not had to venture out very far to find fish. Anglers should check with area bait shops and resorts for the most up-to-date information on ice conditions before heading out.

Leech Lake

Fishing has been a bit quieter this week, but the big fish enthusiasts are taking good numbers of 27- to 28-inch walleyes. Despite slightly warmer temperatures, the ice conditions have remained consistent, holding at 11 to 13 inches on Walker Bay and about 16 inches on the big lake in front of Trapper's Landing Lodge, where the ice road remains in good condition.

Detroit Lakes

The recent warm temperatures have melted the snow cover on area lakes, leaving them wet and slushy, but the ice is still solid and safe. Cool temperatures should arrive by Christmas, freezing the slush and leaving the lakes in great condition. Sunfish and crappie action has been good, especially adjacent to the green weeds and in pockets in the weeds in 8 to 13 feet of water. Crappies have been suspended over depths of 22 feet to 35 feet in areas with soft bottoms and just off the sharp breaks. Small jigs tipped with crappie minnows, waxies or small plastic tails are working well for the crappies and sunnies. Walleyes have been holding off the deeper weedlines in 16 to 24 feet of water; look for the inside turns and extending points to connect with fish. Jigging is out-producing bobbers and tip-ups. Use fatheads or rainbows on the jigs, and try shiners, rainbows or small suckers on the bobber rods and tip-ups. Evening hours and just past dark are best for numbers of fish.