Gary Engberg Outdoors

Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 12-31-09

gengberg December 31st, 2009

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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
December 31th, 2009

This report is sponsered by:
Zippel Bay Resort

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Despite measurable snow, the ice is in good shape with some roads now plowed to the mud flats. Walleye action has been excellent on the mud in 25 to 30 feet with jigging spoons producing the most fish. The 14- to 16-foot rock piles are giving up walleyes and quite a few nice perch as well.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West - This end of the lake held up pretty well after the snow. There are roads plowed in St. Alban’s Bay, but not out to the flats. Snowmobiles and ATVs are being used to travel further out. There is pockets of slush, but the fish are biting. St. Alban’s Bay is giving up walleyes, perch, and pike in 18 to 20 feet. Limits of walleyes also are coming off the mud flats in 24 to 30 feet.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Roads are plowed and vehicle travel is an option even after 16 inches of fresh snow. On the south shore, the best walleye action is coming from 20 to 24 feet and saugers are biting in slightly deeper water. Better areas have been west of Pine Island and north to Morris Point Gap. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes are hitting consistently in 20 to 25 feet. There’s also some evening walleye action reported on the Rainy River in 16 to 19 feet.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE
Anglers are finding some slush on the lake, but they continue to find travel conditions to be good in many areas. Walleyes are being taken off Sand Point in 10 to 15 feet and off Cedar Point in 18 to 20 feet. The 25- to 28-foot humps in Walker Bay also have produced walleyes. Perch action is strong near Goose Island, Pine Point, and First Duck Point. Look for sunfish in Shingobee Bay over eight feet.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Last weekend’s snow mostly shut down ice fishing. A few anglers are walking out, but the slush is making for difficult travel, even by foot. As much as eight inches of water is reported under the snow on most area lakes.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
The slush isn’t too bad in the locations being fished. Even though 12 to 14 inches of snow fell, anglers continue to use snowmobiles and ATVs to get around. Birch Point remains the best walleye spot in 27 to 32 feet. In the Rainy Lake City area, walleyes and pike are hitting spoons or setlines and minnows in 18 feet. Some of the bigger pike have been taken on ciscoes.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Roads have been plowed about two miles out and the lake seems to have handled last weekend’s snow rather well. Walleyes are hitting in 20 to 22 feet during low-light periods and northern pike remain active in the shallows and on most main-lake bars. The best perch reports are coming off Horseshoe Bar in 28 to 30 feet during the day.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
Snowmobiles and ATVs continue to be used on area lakes and the slush isn’t as bad as one might expect. On White Bear Lake, you’ll find crappies in 10 to 12 feet and walleyes in 20 feet during the evening. The Bayport area of the St. Croix River also is giving up walleyes in 20 feet. On Lake Peltier, sunfish and crappies can be had in 10 feet and the weedlines of White Bear and Centerville Lake are producing northern pike.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421 Continue Reading »