Bemidji Area Fishing Report

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February 16, 2011
   Lakes in the Bemidji area lost some snow cover this past week after several days of temperatures in the 40s. The snow on the lakes is beginning to compact, which should make travel easier for anglers looking forward to some late season ice fishing.
   The extended forecast predicts a return to colder temperatures this weekend, which should firm up the ice conditions that were getting a little sloppy with all of the melting snow.
   As long as the temperatures stay below freezing each night, the ice fishing season is likely to continue. The end of the ice fishing season usually comes after consecutive nights when temperatures stay above freezing.
   Fishing has been picking up in most lakes, with the best bites in the evenings for most species. Walleyes have been feeding in 16-24 feet of water in most of the larger lakes. The hot lure for many anglers has been a Northland Live Forage Spoon tipped with a minnow head.
   Crappies have still been suspending 5-15 feet off of the bottom in 25-40 feet of water in most of the smaller lakes. Crappies are visual feeders and will take small plastics or small jigging lures just as well as real minnows in many situations.
   Perch anglers are finding schools of perch on both the shallow weedy flats and in the sticky mud areas in deep water. The deep perch are feeding on bloodworms and mayfly larvae and the shallow perch are feeding on minnows and crayfish.

Report Courtesy of:
Paul A. Nelson
Bemidji Area Lakes Guide Service