Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 12-17-09
gengberg December 17th, 2009
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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
December 17th, 2009
This report is sponsered by:
Zippel Bay Resort
Big Six
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Reports off the main lake remain limited, but should improve with the good ice conditions. There are some nice perch and a few walleyes being caught in Wahkon Bay, Cove Bay, and Isle Bay in 12 to 14 feet. As of Tuesday morning, 10 to 12 inches of ice had taken hold in the bays and about six to eight inches was reported on the lake.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West - The rock piles and breaks in St. Alban’s Bay are producing walleyes over 18 to 20 feet. A handful of good-sized northern pike also has been taken in the bay. There hasn’t been any reports off the main lake, but should be after this weekend. There’s eight to 10 inches of ice in the bay.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Ice conditions are great with 12 inches reported near Morris Point, eight inches in Four Mile Bay, and six inches on the river near Clementson. Walleyes are hitting shiner minnows in 15 to 24 feet of water with good numbers of 15- to 18-inch fish reported. Several big northern pike also have been taken. Near Pine Island, consistent catches of walleyes up to 18 inches have been caught in 16 to 22 feet of water.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
On Leech Lake, walleyes are being found in 10 to 13 feet early and late in the day off Sand Point, Pine Point, and the GrandVu Flats. Shingobee Bay is producing small bluegills in six to 12 feet. Garfield Lake is giving up walleyes in 15 to 20 feet and panfish in 10 to 12 feet. Steamboat Lake is a safe bet for northern pike in less than eight feet. Seven to nine inches of ice is common in this area with the exception of Walker Bay on Leech, which just capped a week ago.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
The bays of Lake Minnetonka and most small lakes have five to seven inches of ice. You’ll find less ice on the big lakes. A few walleyes have been taken from 20 feet in Wayzata Bay on Minnetonka and Black Lake on Minnetonka is producing sunfish in eight feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Medicine Lake in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
Ice depths vary from eight inches in the bays to much less on the big part of the lake. Sand Bay is producing numbers of big walleyes in 28 to 30 of water feet early and late in the day. Northern pike reports are slow, but the best areas for bigger pike have yet to be reached due to the lake’s limited ice conditions.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Walleyes are being caught on the main-lake humps, bars, and breaks in 20 to 23 feet of water. Spearing for northern pike continues to be good along the west shore and there’s a mid-day perch bite in seven to nine feet at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Seven to nine inches of ice was reported early this week, but there’s a couple pressure ridges forming that should be noted if you head here.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
You’ll find six inches of ice on the small lakes and four inches on the big lakes. There’s some evening walleye action in 15 feet on White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake. Northern pike are crushing sucker minnows in the shallow weeds of Battle Creek Lake, Demonterville Lake, and Lake Jane. Panfish action is slow.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
Ice depths vary from two to 10 inches, depending on the lake. Expect more ice on the bays and small lakes. Fishing reports have been limited as most anglers are just starting to venture out.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
Waconia Bay has seven to nine inches of ice while other main-lake areas have six to eight inches. Sunfish are biting in the bay in eight to 12 feet during the day and a few crappies have been taken in the mornings. The bay also is giving up a few walleyes in 15 to 18 feet, as is Cemetary Reef in 12 to 16 feet of water.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
You’ll find eight to 10 inches of ice on most lakes, with less reported on bigger bodies of water. Lake Reno is producing walleyes during the evening in 10 to 12 feet. A few walleyes also have been caught on lakes Ida, Miltona, and the Le Homme Dieu Chain. Panfish reports are limited and a few pike are being caught on the weedlines of area lakes.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
The west side of Clearwater Lake is kicking out walleyes in 18 to 24 feet. Look to Lake John for suspended crappies in 30 feet. On Buffalo Lake, anglers are finding them over 20 to 30 feet. Indian Lake, French Lake, Lake Francis, and Pleasant Lake are worth checking for panfish and pike. Expect eight to 10 inches of ice on most lakes, but watch the bigger lakes where less has formed.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
A few walleyes are being taken on small sucker minnows at Otter Tail Lake in 14 to 18 feet or 35 to 40 feet. Look to West Battle Lake with shiner minnows for walleyes in 17 to 22 feet. Crappies are hitting minnows in 20 feet on West Battle and in the narrows of Pelican Lake. Northern pike are active on South Turtle Lake, North Turtle Lake, and Norway Lake in 12 to 16 feet. Anglers are reporting up to 10 inches of ice on most lakes.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
Most lakes have six to eight inches of ice. Lake Irving is producing walleyes in 10 to 12 feet. The west side of Lake Bemidji is kicking out walleyes in 15 to 20 feet. Panfish reports are slow, but spearing for northern pike has been good in the shallows of most lakes.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BLACKDUCK AREA
Anglers are reporting six to eight inches of ice on most lakes. Walleyes have started hitting on Blackduck Lake in 12 to 18 feet. On Lake Rabideau, panfish are biting in 10 to 12 feet early and late in the day. Spearing for pike has been good throughout the area.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
North Long Lake and Pelican Lake are kicking out walleyes in 10 to 20 feet on rainbows and shiner minnows. Look for crappies in 12 to 14 feet on North Long and Round Lake. Northern pike seem to be hitting along the shallow weed edges of most lakes. You’ll find about eight inches of ice on most fisheries with the exception of Gull Lake where the middle of the lake has less ice.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CHISAGO AREA
Six to eight inches of ice has taken hold on most lakes. Sucker minnows are turning pike at Sunrise Lake in six to eight feet. Work the weedbeds on the south end of Chisago Lake for sunfish in six to eight feet. The Eagle’s Nest area of Chisago is producing crappies at night. Look to Pancake Island on South Center Lake for walleyes and crappies and the north end of North Center Lake is producing walleyes and crappies in 12 to 16 feet.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSBY AREA
Most lakes have eight to 10 inches of ice. Walleyes are hitting fathead minnows on Serpent Lake in 22 to 28 feet. Look to Black Hoof Lake for crappies and Big Mahnomen Lake for panfish and pike in 16 to 20 feet.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
CROSS LAKE AREA
Most lakes, with the exception of Trout Lake and a few channel areas, have seven inches of ice. Anglers have just started walking out or using ATVs on area lakes. Early fishing reports indicate a few crappies during the evening hours and a lot of northern pike being taken on tip-ups and minnows.
Crosslake Holiday Sports (218) 692-2708
DETROIT LAKES
The ice is in good shape with eight to inches on most lakes. A few walleyes are biting on Big Detroit Lake, Big Cormorant Lake, Deadshot Bay, and Lake Sallie in 18 to 22 feet. Look for crappies in 12 feet on Little Detroit Lake and Lake Melissa. Pike are active on most lakes in less than 12 feet and a few sunfish are being caught on Floyd Lake, Deadshot Bay, and Melissa in 10 to 14 feet.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
DULUTH AREA
The narrows of Fish Lake are producing walleyes and crappies in 10 feet. On Boulder Lake, walleyes have started being plucked from 10 to 12 feet during low-light periods. Smelt have been the ticket for northern pike at Rice Lake in six feet. Ice conditions are improving each day with five to seven inches reported earlier this week.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
EAST-CENTRAL MINN
You’ll find six to eight inches of ice on most lakes. Look for crappies and sunfish on Baxter Lake in seven to 11 feet. On Little Elk Lake crappies are being found in 11 feet. Look to Spectacle Lake and Green Lake for panfish and northern pike in 10 to 12 feet.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
ELY AREA
Anglers have just started hitting the lakes with six to eight inches of ice reported on the small lakes and less ice on the big lakes. Early fishing reports indicate that ciscoes are turning northern pike at Birch Lake in 10 to 12 feet. Walleye and crappie action is limited.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
EMILY AREA
Most lakes now have at least six to eight inches of ice. Minnows are producing crappies throughout the day at Lawrence Lake in 18 feet. Perry Lake also is giving up crappies in 15 to 18 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing numbers of northern pike on West Fox Lake in 10 to 12 feet.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191
FAIRMONT AREA
You’ll find four inches of ice on the big lakes and up to seven inches on the small lakes and bays. Lake Sissiton is worth hitting for sunfish and crappies in six to 10 feet. Look to Hall Lake during low-light periods for walleyes and crappies in 12 to 15 feet. Tuttle Lake started giving up walleyes and crappies in less than six feet.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREA
There’s some evening walleye action at Cannon Lake in eight to 12 feet. Fox Lake also is producing walleyes in 20 to 25 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are turning bass and northern pike at Cedar Lake in 12 to 15 feet. Most lakes now have five to seven inches of ice on them.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND MARAIS AREA
The big lakes still had some areas of thin ice early this week, but the small lakes have six to eight inches on them. Minnows are producing walleyes on South Fowl Lake in five feet. Walleyes and perch are being caught in seven feet at Elbow Lake. Hit Devil Track Lake with minnows for walleyes in eight feet.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
On Bowstring Lake, minnows are producing crappies in 12 to 14 feet and walleyes in 25 feet. Walleyes also have been taken in eight to 28 feet on lakes Pokegama, Moose, Wabana, and Trout. Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake is kicking out bluegills in 14 to 16 feet and crappies over 20 feet. Little Splithand Lake and Big Splithand Lake are safe bets for crappies in 20 to 22 feet. Spearing for northern pike has been excellent on all lakes. Earlier this week, six to eight inches of ice was reported throughout the area.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
The ice is in great shape with six to eight inches reported on most lakes. Crappies have started hitting on Birch Lake and Webb Lake in 18 feet. On Five Point Lake, crappies and sunfish are biting in 12 to 15 feet. Walleye reports have been sporadic, but Pine Mountain Lake has produced a few in 12 feet. Look to Ten Mile Lake and Whitefish Lake for northern pike in shallow water.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE KABETOGAMA
Most bays have six to eight inches of ice and the main lake has about six inches. Tip-ups and minnows are working best for pike in most bays in 12 to 15 feet. The best walleye option early in the season is at the Ash River/Kabetogama mouth in 28 to 35 feet.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121
LAKE OSAKIS
The north end of the lake is producing walleyes and crappies in 18 to 22 feet. Sunfish reports have been non-existent, but northern pike action is strong for anglers and spearers in shallow water. Ice depths vary with as much as eight inches being reported earlier this week on the north end.
Matt’s Bait (320) 859-2181
LAKE VERMILION
Four to eight inches of ice is being found throughout the lake, but fishing reports have been limited. The last hour of daylight is the best window for walleyes in 18 feet or more. Look for fishing reports to increase as more anglers start venturing out.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
Anglers are reporting five to eight inches of ice on most lakes. Look to Loon Lake for crappies in seven feet and Lake Francis is a safe bet for northern pike with tip-ups and sucker minnows. Expect Lake Washington to start producing panfish as more anglers venture out and Lake Elysian is worth noting for a few walleyes.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
ORTONVILLE AREA
There’s eight to 10 inches of ice on most lakes. Big Stone Lake is producing nice perch and a few walleyes around the islands in 12 to 14 feet. Look to Long Tom Lake for crappies during the evening hours in 10 feet. Anglers are just starting to hit the other lakes in this area so fishing reports have been limited.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Walleyes are hitting on Fish Hook Lake, Potato Lake, and Island Lake in 21 feet during low-light periods. Northern pike are hitting minnows on Big Mantrap Lake and Fifth Crow Wing Lake in 12 feet. Look to Fish Hook and Straight Lake for bluegills in the 10- to 14-foot weeds. You’ll find 10 inches of ice on most lakes.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED LAKE
Twelve inches of ice has taken hold on the lake. The nine-foot breaks adjacent to rock or gravel are producing walleyes on the south and east shorelines. Glow jigs have been key due to somewhat dirty water. Pike and crappie action has been limited other than a few accidental catches of both.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
RED WING AREA
There’s some panfish being caught near the docks in Baypoint Park, Covil Park, and the backwaters on the Mississippi River where four to six inches is being found. The cold weather has limited boat traffic on the river, but the bite was good prior to the cold snap so look for good fishing to continue as soon as the weather allows anglers to get out.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334
REMER AREA
There’s five to seven inches of ice on the small lakes with thinner ice on bigger bodies of water. Boy Lake and Sugar Lake are giving up crappies over 20 to 22 feet. A few walleyes also have been on these lakes during the evening in 20 feet. Small walleyes have been active on Thunder Lake and Trelipe Lake in 20 to 24 feet, but sunfish action is slow.
Remer Trading Post (218) 566-2338
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Walleyes are hitting spoons and minnow heads or setlines and shiner minnows in 12 to 22 feet on Lake Koronis and in 12 to 14 feet at Rice Lake. Crappie action also has picked up on Rice, Cedar Island Lake, and Horseshoe Lake in 18 to 20 feet. Pike spearing reports have been favorable in the shallows of Horseshoe, Becker Lake, and Browns Lake. Most lakes have six to eight inches of ice.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Plain hooks and shiner minnows or rosy red minnows are producing walleyes during the evening hours on McCormick Lake in six feet. The north end of Big Swan Lake is a safe bet for crappies during the evening. Pike are hitting shiner and sucker minnows on Maple Lake and Long Bridge Lake. Most lakes have six to eight inches of ice.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
The 10 inches of ice on most lakes is getting thicker each day. Lake Minnewaska is producing a few walleyes in 15 to 18 feet via jigging spoons and minnow heads. Walleyes are hitting on the east and west ends of Lake Emily in six feet or less. The north side of Minnewaska is a safe bet for small pike with tip-ups and sucker minnows in 12 to 14 feet.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WATERVILLE AREA
Anglers are reporting six inches of ice on most lakes. Pike angling has been decent in the shallows of Lake Elysian and Lake Sakatah with suckers. Look for panfish near the swimming beach on Lake Tetonka in 10 to 15 feet. Walleye action has been slow.
Axel’s Tackle Box (507) 362-4444
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