MN. Area fishing report

[Lee Borgersen]

                    :fishing2:  Area fishing reports

Look for walleyes and saugers in 16 to 20 feet of water during the morning and evening hours or in 20 to 28 feet during the day. Glow spoons or setlines and minnows are both producing fish.


Lake of the Woods


Look for walleyes and saugers in 16 to 20 feet of water during the morning and evening hours or in 20 to 28 feet during the day. Glow spoons or setlines and minnows are both producing fish. Walleye action continues to be good at the Northwest Angle as well, with fish being caught throughout the day in 20 to 28 feet of water. The ice road from Young’s Bay on the Northwest Angle mainland to Oak Island now is open.


Devils Lake


Perch and walleye fishing has been good, reports Devils Lake fishing guide Mark Bry. Best perch action is in 25 to 45 feet of water, Bry said, with walleyes hitting in 10 to 16 feet of water, especially early and late in the day. Lures such as Lindy Flyers and Northland Buckshot Rattle Spoons tipped with a minnow head or waxworm have produced the best action. A plain hook and live minnow fished below a bobber also has worked well. Anglers fishing walleyes early and late in the day have hooked a fair number of pike, as well, Bry said.


Upper Red Lake


The south and east shorelines continue to produce walleyes in 8 to 12 feet of water early and late in the day. Anglers are using setlines and jigging spoons and tend to catch fish on both. A few good-sized northern pike are being caught daily, often times by accident when fishing for walleyes.


Bemidji area


Walleyes are hitting shiner minnows or glow spoons on Big Turtle Lake and Lake Plantagenet in 12 to 18 feet of water. On Lake Bemidji, look for walleyes in 16 to 20 feet of water and perch in 20 to 24 feet. Look to Lake Irving for northern pike and to Grace Lake and Grant Lake for panfish and pike in 8 to 12 feet.


Blackduck area


Ice conditions are now favorable for light vehicle traffic on some lakes. Crappies are being caught during low-light periods over 25 to 35 feet of water on Sandy Lake, Gilstead Lake and Rabideau Lake. Look for walleyes and perch to hit jigging spoons in 10 to 20 feet on Island Lake and Blackduck Lake.


Leech Lake


Ice depths continue to improve throughout the lake, with Pine Point and Stony Point still producing walleyes during the evening hours in 10 to 16 feet of water. Ice conditions also have improved in Walker Bay, although caution is needed when traveling in that area. Look to the humps and shoreline breaks in 14 to 20 feet of water for walleyes. Perch reports continue to be limited, with walleye anglers picking off the occasional keeping-sized fish.


Lake Winnibigoshish


Anglers are reaching the main-lake bars and humps with ATVs and snowmobiles, although walleye reports have been limited to a few fish coming from 18 to 22 feet of water. Spearing and angling for northern pike has been best in the Third River and West Winnie Campground areas. Look for perch in 8 to 10 feet of water on the west side of the lake.


Detroit Lakes


Most lakes have about 12 inches of ice, and some vehicle traffic has started on select lakes. Walleyes are hitting shiner minnows or spoons in 17 to 20 feet of water on lakes Melissa, Big Detroit and Big Cormorant. Anglers will find sunfish in the shallow weeds and crappies suspended over 18 to 20 feet of water on Big Detroit, Melissa, Deadshot Bay, Severson Lake and Floyd Lake.


Park Rapids area


Anglers continue to catch a few walleyes on Fish Hook Lake in 18 feet of water and can expect to encounter plenty of northern pike in 10 to 14 feet. The Crow Wing Chain and Lake Belle Taine are worth noting for panfish in 10 to 12 feet. The shallow, weeded areas of Big Mantrap Lake are kicking out northern pike, as well. Ice conditions are in fine shape, with ATVs being used throughout the area.