MN Fishing Report from La Crosse Tribune & Associated Press

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http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2007/12/05/newsupdate/12mnfishing.txt


Published - Wednesday, December 05, 2007

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Minnesota fishing report: Be careful out there
By The Associated Press


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ANNANDALE - A lot of lakes froze up last Friday right before the snow fell. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time when we were making ice. The snow will insulate it a bit now and it will take a little longer for the ice to form. Most should be walking out by this weekend.

BATTLE LAKE - The bigger lakes in our area just froze over. And then we got 9 to 10 inches of snow on top of that. Nobody has been out on the ice yet. It’s just not predictable safe yet.
BEMIDJI - Some guys have been getting out on Lake Bemidji, walking out only. Some of the smaller lakes have 9 inches on them. the smaller crappie lakes are going good right now, just look for the fish to be suspended near the deeper holes. The south end of Plantagenet has 3 to 4 inches of ice on it and a few are catching some perch.

BLACKDUCK - Some guys are starting to get out and we’ve seen a good perch bite on Blackduck in about 8 to 12 feet of water with a few walleyes mixed in, about 1 to 3 a night. As far as ice goes, we’ve got about 6 to 9 inches around, but there is a lot of snow on top of it, about 10 inches. So it’s been hard to get around.

CHISAGO CITY - The channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom and the bays have walkable ice on them. At the bay by the Diner Bell some have been walking out and catching a few walleyes and crappies. And guys have been going out all around Pancake Island on Sout Center and getting fish.

CROSBY -Ice reports for the area show that most lakes have good "foot-travel" ice, with some of the smaller lakes holding as much as 7 or 8 inches. Most reports coming in are panfish reports, yet there were a few people out chasing walleyes this past weekend as well. Some crappies were caught on Blackhoof and Perry as both lakes had good ice for fishermen to get out on. Serpent froze over on Friday, so we will have to wait and see how the ice will develop with the blanket of snow that covers the area. Pike have been caught by just about everyone that has been out whether they are fishing for them or not. Always remember to be safe and check the ice as you head out anywhere. Grouse hunters are finding lots of birds, with one group reporting an average of 3-4 birds per person per outing. Muzzleloader hunters have killed a few deer, and some of the archers in the area have reported seeing more activity in the woods the last few days.

CROSSLAKE - Ice conditions as of Tuesday for Crosslake, Whitefish and surrounding area; all smaller lakes are frozen over with 3 to 4 inches of ice and 10 plus inches of snow. We recommend foot travel only due to lack of ice. Crosslake, Whitefish & Trout have some ice along the shorelines but still open in the center.

DULUTH - There was a good crappie bite going on Fish Lake before the storm, in the narrows by the high banks in about 11 feet of water using glow hooks and crappies minnows. They should start up again here shortly. There has been some reports of ice up to 8 inches thick and as thin as 3 inches, mostly it is between 5 to 6 inches. But with the snow and the slush problems, people need to be careful. There have been a few loopers caught still outside the French river. And the muzzleloaders have been doing well with the new snow.

ELY - The time that we've all been waiting for has finally arrived. We've got hard water! Smaller lakes are safe enough for foot travel and even some of the larger lakes are sporting four inches or better. Don't misconstrue this as a blanket thumbs up though, as you'll still come across some thin ice in places. We should have reasonably safe ice in the near future as we are in the throes of another cold snap with nighttime temps hovering around zero. It would still be a wise idea to carry a set of picks and a life jacket with you.

FOREST LAKE -For ice conditions, the shallow bays and channels have 4 to 6 inches, the deeper water obviously has less. So still be careful when trying to get out on the larger bodies of water. There are still some open holes on the bigger lakes. They have been fishing walleyes and panfish on the south end of Chisago off CR 83, and off Willow Point on Forest Lake. And they’ve been fishing by Hazleton on South Center Lake.

GREY EAGLE - Guys have been spearing on the smaller lakes around, like Twin Lake, St. Mary’s Lake and the bays on the bigger lakes. Most of the small lakes in the area have 5 to 6 inches of ice, but with the snow, you are going to get some flooding. Big Birch just froze over after the snow last weekend and Cedar Lake too, just last Monday. On McCormick Lake, guys are getting a limit of 14 inch walleyes almost every time they go out.

HACKENSACK - All of the boats are put away now and the ice gear is starting to creep out of the garage. The ice is still "iffy" but quickly improving. The overnight low was a few degrees below zero, as of 10 a.m. it has only risen to 3 degrees. I would guess by the weekend there will be a few adventurous anglers heading out. The really small lakes have 4" of ice in most spots. Birch Lake has 2-3" and Pleasant Lake is about the same. Leech Lake may take a few more days due to all of the deep water in Walker Bay. It appears that most of the main lake is covered but tough to say standing on shore. We have had a lot of wind the past week which has made the freeze-up slow and uneven. Check the ice as you head out and be very careful!

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN -

Lots of snow and thin ice is limiting the fishing and spearing. A few bays, Tom Cod, Duck and Irwin, will withstand the weight of portable houses, but caution is needed. The recent snow is slowing ice development; however, next week's cold forecast should help the process. Northern pike activity for the weekend has been off to a slow start for spearing and angling - walleye anglers are waiting for a little more ice before venturing out. Grouse hunting is at a standstill with the recent snow, however, we have registered a few deer by muzzleloader enthusiasts. Fisher and Pine Martin trapping season has ended with disappointing results. Most trappers had little if any activity with their sets.

LAKE OF THE WOODS -

Winter has arrived at Lake of the Woods and so has the ice. Four Mile Bay has 6-7 inches of ice, and limits of fish are being caught by those willing to venture out. Morris Point has 5-7 inches while Zippel Bay is at 5-9 inches. Reports are that the lake has 6-9 inches of ice, and people have been walking out 20 feet. The Lake of the Woods area received 4-5 inches of snow over the weekend. The snowmobile trails have not been groomed yet, but we hope to have enough snow by the weekend to start grooming.

LEECH LAKE - There is 6 plus inches of ice on the main (big part) of Leech right now. People are fishing in and around Shingobee Bay and starting to go out by Sand Point, mostly on foot and some on 4 wheelers. Most people are going after sunfish and perch right now, we also got blessed with some snow about 6 inches. There are still some open spots in Walker Bay (deep), so stay clear of there. Come enjoy Leech Lake with us.

MILLE LACS Lake - The ice is on the bays on Mille Lacs, guys should be getting out doing some perch fishing this weekend. There are a lot of people fishing on the south end. Call your resort and check on the latest. Anne Lake they have been getting out on too.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Still open water on the lake, at the most, some places had 3-4 inches, but check as you go, the ice is very inconsistent. Check it ever step.

PELICAN RAPIDS - Things were looking good, we had 7 to 8 inches of ice on the area lakes, and then we got the snow. That will certainly put a damper on the ice making, but the temps are still low enough that some is being made. Guys are still getting out, but be careful with the slush and snow on the ice. South Lida and North Lida, particularly in Bass Harbor and off the clay point, guys are catching some walleyes.

RED WING -Still biting by the dam, but you have to put in on the Wisconsin side. In Frontenac pond, they have been starting to ice fish for panfish there and some tip-up fishing. Some are getting out in Baypoint park too between the docks, by this weekend guys might be pulling portables out. Check the ice before you go or give the shop a call for the current conditions.

SAINT CLOUD - Ice fishermen in our area began fishing on several area lakes last week and have reported to us that northerns, walleyes and crappies have been biting. Ice conditions and thickness are varying from lake to lake; some lakes are still not safe to fish on. Fishermen have been fishing on Briggs, Julia, Lake Edwards and Mayhew. Briggs Lake and Horseshoe Lake fishermen have been catching some crappies along with some sunfish. A few anglers are going to Pearl Lake for northerns and crappies. Walleye fishermen might want to try Lake Alexander and Lake Edwards. We are still taking in deer hides and our drawing for our prizes of our rifle and compound bow will be held the week before Christmas.

SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA - Ice thickness is about 5 inches on the area lakes with the exception of Tetonka with about 1", hopefully this coming weekend (Dec 8-9) it will be OK to get out on all the lakes with some degree of safety. The last storm we had wasn't much good for making ice. As far as fishing goes Lake Elysian is reporting some walleye keepers in the 16-19" range. Call before you go out to your area lake, no matter where it is at in the state. The Bait shops in your area will have a pretty good idea of the ice conditions.

UPPER RED LAKE - ATV’s have been out on the lake about 1 mile and the ice is about 8 to 10 inches thick. The snow seems to be insulating the ice causing it not to freeze as well in some areas, that's where the difference in thickness comes in. There may be a few slushy spots caused by the weight of the snow, the slush is only about 2 inches deep and is not a problem getting through. There have been a few people out fishing and the reports have all been good, walleyes and a crappie here and there. For now, just ATV's and snowmobile traffic is advised, but it won't be long and we will be driving out. Good luck and be safe!

WINNIBIGOSHISH - The cold weather of this past week was a saving grace for the opening of the Northern Pike Spearing season on Saturday, and there was enough ice on many of the Lakes to get folks out. On Big Winnie, some of the anglers did fair up in the Third River area, but the water clarity wasn't the best. With a lot of wind just prior to freeze up it made the water a little turbid, but those conditions will change soon. One additional problem, we got about 8-10 inches of snow on the weekend, but at least it was of the lighter variety and not heavy wet snow. Some of the smaller lakes in the area had some decent bluegill and crappie fishing and Little Cutfoot turned out some nice Bluegills for those walking out off the DNR fishing pier. I think by next week we'll have better reports with additional anglers getting out. No ice is ever safe, but be extra careful right now and don't venture too far offshore. Make sure you take an ice spud with and poke it on the ice in front of where you're walking. Make sure you tell someone where you're going.