lakes head into spring

[Lee Borgersen]

Most lakes head into spring with high water levels.

Article by Paul Nelson
3/26/19

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The spring melt continued this week after a few days of cold weather temporarily stopped the melting on the lakes. A slow melt is ideal to help reduce the chances for flooding and also helps stabilize the ice conditions on the lakes.

The ice on area lakes is still fairly thick, with anglers needing an extension to get through the ice in many areas. As long as the melt is gradual and it keeps freezing at night, the snow on the lakes will continue to compact and the ice conditions will slowly improve.

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Anglers may be able to get back out on a few lakes with snowmobiles if the temperatures continue to fall below freezing at night. Rain and...gulp...more snow, are always possible in March and early April. We will see this week if March decides to go out like a lion or a lamb this year.

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There has been some intense flooding in many rivers and streams that flow into the Mississippi River already this spring. Much of the water from the Bemidji area eventually flows into the Mississippi River, so the slower the melt happens, the less it will contribute to the flooding farther south.

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Most lakes in the Bemidji area are heading into the spring with high water levels, which is good for the spawning success of most species of fish. Walleyes, northern pike and perch are early spawners that like high water levels for spawning.

Many late spawning species benefit from high water levels, too. Species like muskies, bass, crappies and sunfish like a little deeper water when they spawn, which usually gives them more options than low water levels.

They are still anglers ice fishing in some areas on Lake of the Woods. There are many resorts that have closed their ice roads and are pulling their houses off the lake for the season. Anglers should check ahead to their destinations to get the latest information on the ice conditions.

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The season can end at any time, with the overnight fish houses on LOW needing to be off the lake no later than March 31. Many resorts want to get their houses off early, before the ice conditions deteriorate any further.

The larger female walleyes have been more active on LOW recently, so anglers have a good chance to catch a trophy fish if they can get on the lake. The protected slot limit is 19½ to 28 inches, with anglers allowed to keep one walleye over the slot limit.
Northern pike have also been active on Lake of the Woods, with anglers catching some huge fish on tip-ups with dead baits or large live suckers, shiners or chubs.

The protected slot limit on LOW for pike is 30 to 40 inches, with anglers allowed to keep one pike longer than 40 inches, which are usually heavier than 20 pounds at this time of the year.

The snowmobile trail was still open this past week on Lake of the Woods, but anglers are reminded that you need a trail sticker on your snowmobile to use the trails. The trail licenses are available anywhere you can buy fishing and hunting licenses.
The Rainy River has been slow to open this spring, despite the high water levels and strong currents. The areas on the Rainy River most anglers like to fish are still locked under the ice.

The open water on the Rainy River was still a couple miles east of the Birchdale access earlier this week. The Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce should have the most recent updates on the ice conditions.

The situation is fluid (pun intended) both on both Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Anglers need to check ahead for the latest information before they make any plans.
The season closes on both Lake of the Woods and Rainy River regardless on April 14 for walleyes, while northern pike are open all year on Lake of the Woods.
Paul A. Nelson runs the Bemidji Area Lakes Guide Service. Guided trips for the 2019 season can be booked by calling or texting 218-760-7751