Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 12-3-09

gengberg December 3rd, 2009

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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
December 3rd, 2009

This report is sponsered by:
Zippel Bay Resort

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
Fishing reports have been very limited. It seems as though there’s still “a boat or two” on the lake each day in search of walleyes or muskies. The bite is poor for both with an occasional ‘eye caught or muskie raised along the shorelines, rock points, or shallow reefs. Crankbaits are the best option in less than 12 feet.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
As of Tuesday morning, the Rainy River, bays, and main lake remained wide open. It just hasn’t been cold enough to make ice, but with cold weather predicted, that could quickly change. Anglers in boats continue work the Lighthouse Gap and Morris Point areas for walleyes and sauger with good success.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA
Some skim ice has started to take hold on the small bays, but open water remains very evident. Anglers were still fishing walleyes in Walker Bay earlier this week with a jig and minnow in 50 to 80 feet. The muzzleloader season started without a lot of action, but grouse hunting remains good just north of the immediate area.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505Walleye TP small

LAKE MINNETONKA
A few open-water anglers continue to fish the big bays for walleyes in 30 to 40 feet with floating jigs and minnows. Large sucker minnows remain the best option for muskies along the deeper weed edges as well. Hunting reports have been non-existent again this week.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
The only fishing action to report, and it has been limited, continues to occur on the Rainy River where a few walleyes are being taken on minnows and jigs. Main-lake pressure is non-existent and skim ice has started to form in the smaller bays. Grouse hunters continue to do well, but there isn’t a lot of people chasing them.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
There isn’t anything to report off the big lake and won’t be until ice forms. The spear houses are ready to go at most resorts, but the lack of ice has delayed that season. Only skim ice was reported earlier this week along the shorelines and in the small, wind-protected areas.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
Minnows and large plastic baits seem to be working for the few muskie anglers that remain on White Bear Lake in 14 to 25 feet. Crankbaits or a jig and minnow are producing walleyes and sauger on the St. Croix River in 30 to 35 feet. Hunting reports have been limited with just a few muzzleloader hunters in the area.Muskie Capouch small
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
Fishing action has been poor for the few people who continue to work open water. It seems as though anglers are content waiting for “walkable” ice to take shape. Muzzleloader hunters shot a few deer last weekend and pheasant hunting has improved, but many rooster hunters are hoping the swamps freeze, which would provide even better conditions.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA
Anglers are waiting for ice to form, which hadn’t happened as of early this week. The Marina will open for normal winter hours as soon as ice develops. Look to the bays and shoreline areas to be the first spots winter anglers start hitting.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
There isn’t much to report on the fishing front and most anglers are anxiously waiting for ice to form. If a person wanted to fish, you could probably pop a few walleyes on Lake Ida and Lake Miltona in 40 to 60 feet as long as they remain ice-free. Hunting reports have been limited to a few guys chasing roosters with some success.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA
A few largemouth bass and walleyes are being pulled off the weedlines of Clearwater Lake with crankbaits or minnows. A few anglers also have caught walleyes while fishing from shore late in the afternoon near current areas. A handful of deer were registered during the first weekend of muzzleloader hunting and pheasant-hunting reports remain minimal.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE
There was still plenty of open water early in the week, but there hasn’t been anyone fishing. Most seem content waiting for ice, which has started to form on the small ponds. A few days of cold weather should quickly cap the bays and small lakes. Hunting reports also have been poor - two muzzleloader deer were registered last weekend.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
With the exception of a few muzzleloader deer and grouse hunters in the area, fishing and hunting action has been limited. Skim ice has started to form on the small ponds and along a few wind-protected shorelines and a few days of cold weather should help cap some small bays.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA
Grouse hunters continue to take to the woods and there were a few whitetails killed by muzzleloader hunters last weekend. Fishing reports have been put on hold due to the lack of anglers. The boats are put away and anglers are waiting for ice, which has been slow to develop.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
There’s been a few boats on Gull Lake and they’ve been hooking walleyes on redtails or rainbow minnows in 20 to 35 feet of water. There’s also some afternoon and evening walleye action along the shoreline near Hole in the Day Bay.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA
There isn’t anything to report due to a lack of fishermen. Skim ice takes hold along the shorelines and in the smaller bays each night, but it melts away during the day. It wouldn’t take but a few days of cold weather to keep this ice intact.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831

CHISAGO AREA
A few people were fishing for bass on Chisago Lake and for walleyes at Green Lake last weekend with marginal success. There wasn’t anyone out earlier this week and with cold weather predicted, the shorelines and bays should start forming ice. Hunting reports also have been limited.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA
Grouse and muzzleloader hunters are occupying time for outdoor enthusiasts until the ice fishing season gets rolling. Some skim ice has started to form on the small bays and ponds, but the lakes were wide open earlier this week. With a few nights of cold, calm weather, look for the small lakes to cap as well.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

DETROIT LAKES
Muskie anglers were still at it last weekend as sucker minnows continued to produce fish on Pelican Lake and Big Detroit Lake. A few walleyes also were caught in deep water on area lakes. With this week’s colder temperatures, open-water fishing should come to an end as the shorelines and bays start to lock up.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA
Anglers are waiting for ice to form. With the exception of some skim ice that takes shape overnight, there wasn’t any ice to be seen. With some cold weather predicted during this week the bays and shorelines should start locking up. Muzzleloader hunters only registered four deer from opening weekend, which is down considerably from last year.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EAST-CENTRAL MINN
You could still fish the lakes and rivers in this area early in the week, but there doesn’t seem to be much interest. Anglers seem content waiting for ice, which has been slow to develop. Pheasant hunters have been out and reporting some success and muzzleloader hunters have shot a few deer.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

EMILY AREA
Grouse and muzzleloader hunters continue to keep busy, but finding anglers on the lakes has been difficult. There is some ice starting to cover the ponds so look for the bays and small lakes to follow suit with the first stretch of cold weather.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA
Fishing open water remained an option this week, but not a lot of people are doing so. Anglers fishing from shore with jigs and plastics are catching a few walleyes at Tuttle Lake and panfish are still an option from shore at Budd Lake. Hunting action has been slow this week.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225

GRAND MARAIS AREA
Muzzleloader hunters registered two deer over opening weekend, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of people out. The number of grouse hunters also has scaled back over the past week. There is some ice taking shape in the shallow bays on most small bodies of water, but the main-lake areas remained open as of Tuesday morning.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

HACKENSACK AREA
The small ponds are covered with a thin layer of ice, but the lakes remain open. Not much to report although the cold weather this week should start making ice. Hunting action has been limited to a few muzzleloader deer kills and grouse action, which has been best just north of the area.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

LAKE KABETOGAMA
It’s strange to see anglers in boats this time of year, but that was the case again last weekend. Most reported limited walleye action. Shoreline ice has started to form overnight so look for the bays to cap as soon as we get a few days of cold weather. Grouse hunting continues to be good with an abundance of birds reported.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

LAKE VERMILION
Muzzleloader hunters are shooting a few deer, but not nearly as many as last season. Grouse remain thick and they’ve provided plenty of shooting opportunities. Fishing via the boat is over as the small bays and channels have started to cover with ice.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052

MANKATO AREA
Anglers have pretty much ended their open-water season and are waiting for ice to form. As of Tuesday, there wasn’t ice to be found except a thin layer on a few small ponds. Hunting reports remain poor, although a few more pheasants have started being shot now that the corn is mostly out.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

ORTONVILLE AREA
Anglers are between seasons and there was nothing but open water early in the week, but it seems as though most are waiting for ice to form. The first hint of cold weather should cap the smaller bodies of water. Pheasant hunting has slightly improved, but there’s still some corn standing, which continues to limit success.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA
Fishing reports have been non-existent this week. It will remain that way until ice forms, which as of Tuesday morning, had not happened. There was skim ice starting to show up on the smaller ponds, but nothing on the lakes. The muzzleloader season has provided limited success and grouse hunters aren’t as numerous as last week.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE
From a fishing standpoint, everything is on hold until ice forms on the main lake. Most ponds and small bodies of water had a thin layer of ice on them Tuesday morning and with some cold, calm weather the big lake should follow suit. Grouse hunting continues to be very good by most accounts and it has kept many outdoor enthusiasts busy since the ice is slow to develop.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657

RED WING AREA
Eating-sized sauger and a few big walleyes are being caught towards the dam on the Mississippi River. Bright-colored hair jigs, blade baits, or jigs tipped with ringworms are working best in 18 to 25 feet. An occasional big catfish or sturgeon is caught in this area as well. Muzzleloader hunters are shooting a few deer, but pheasant hunting continues to be slow.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Fishing has pretty much ended with a few anglers still chasing walleyes on Lake Koronis or Rice Lake with limited success. Some skim ice has started to form on the bays of lakes and on small ponds so it won’t take long for the lakes to cap if it gets cold. Muzzleloader hunters are registering a few deer and pheasant hunting has improved. Most of the corn is now gone, which has improved rooster hunting.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA
Pheasant hunters are shooting a few more birds than they did during the early part of the season now that the corn is coming out. Muzzleloader hunters registered a few deer, but there doesn’t seem to be as many people out as last year. Fishing has been put on hold until walkable ice forms.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA
There isn’t anything to report in the way of fishing this week other than anglers are patiently waiting for ice to take hold on area bodies of water. There has been some favorable pheasant hunting reports again this week. With the corn out, bird numbers appear more plentiful than early in the season.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239

WILLMAR AREA
A few whitetail kills continue to trickle in from archery and muzzleloader hunters, but pheasant hunting reports remain poor. Fishing action also has been limited to a few people fishing off shore for walleyes, which has been relatively slow as well. With the exception of skim ice on the ponds, ice has been slow to develop.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097

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