Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 12-24-09
gengberg December 24th, 2009
Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
December 24th, 2009
This report is sponsered by:
Zippel Bay Resort
Big Six
LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Perch continue to be caught in 16 feet throughout Isle Bay on jigging spoons and minnow heads. You’ll find a few walleyes on the 14- to 16-foot rocks in Isle Bay as well, but the bite is limited to about an hour at sunset. Reports from the main lake continue to be sporadic.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
West - Jigging spoons are producing walleyes and perch on the edges of the flats in 25 to 29 feet. Snowmobiles and sleds are being used to reach the flats. The 18- to 21-foot break in St. Alban’s Bay also continues to hold walleyes. Look to the bay for pike in 15 feet or less.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
Limits of walleye and sauger are an easy catch in 20 to 26 feet. The best reports are coming north of Pine Island and the Morris Point area with glow or gold jigs tipped and shiner minnows. Walleyes in the 16- to 18-inch range are quite abundant on the Rainy River as well.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
The humps in Walker Bay on Leech Lake are producing walleyes during the evening hours in 18 to 24 feet. Pine Point and the Goose Island area also have kicked out walleyes during low-light periods in 10 to 15 feet. On Garfield Lake, anglers continue to find panfish and walleyes in 15 to 20 feet. Northern pike are active in the shallow weed areas of most lakes.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
There’s an evening walleye bite on Lake Minnetonka on the weedlines or 35 feet and on Lake Independence in 17 feet. Minnows on setlines seem to be working best. Northern pike are very active on the weedlines of most lakes hitting sucker minnows and panfish action is slow.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
Big walleyes remain active off Birch Point in Sand Bay over 24 to 32 feet, but it’s been difficult to hook a limit of keepers. Look for the crappies to start hitting in Black Bay and northern pike reports continue to be limited.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
There’s some evening walleye action two miles out from shore in 23 feet. The bars and humps also are giving up walleyes in 20 to 23 feet. A few perch have been found on Horseshoe Bar in 20 feet and you’ll find perch shallow, but plan on sorting through some small fish. Spearing is still good, but look for deeper water to give up bigger fish.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
Look to White Bear Lake for walleyes in 15 to 20 feet during low-light periods. On the St. Croix River, walleyes and crappies are hitting spoons and Rapalas in 20 to 30 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are turning pike on the weedlines of Lake Jane and Demonterville Lake. Sunfish are hitting in less than 10 feet on Lake Peltier and Jane is producing crappies in 15 to 20 feet.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
Pike are hitting suckers under tip-ups in 10 to 12 feet at Pierson Lake. Crappies are hitting during low-light periods on Lake Parley in 12 to 15 feet. Look for sunfish on Lake Bavaria, Lake Minnewashta, and Lake Auburn in 10 feet or less.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
LAKE WACONIA
Walleyes are being taken on shiner minnows on the north end in 12 to 15 feet early and late in the day. Sunfish and crappies are being found in the weeds throughout Waconia Bay and near Pillsbury Reef or Cemetery Reef in eight to 10 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Center Reef and in Waconia Bay in 12 feet of water.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
A few walleyes are being taken during low-light periods at Lake Ida, Lake Le Homme Dieu, and Lake Darling in 18 to 22 feet. Look for sunfish and crappies on the north end of Ida, Le Homme Dieu, and Lake Geneva in 15 feet or less. Northern pike action has been slow for spearers and anglers.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
Look to Clearwater Lake, Pleasant Lake, and Sugar Lake for walleyes in 18 to 24 feet. Crappies have started hitting on Clearwater, Pleasant, and Lake John during the evening hours in 20 to 24 feet. Northern pike are taking sucker minnows at Pelican Lake and Lake Ramsey in eight feet or less and sunfish action remains slow.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
Look to Otter Tail Lake for walleyes in 16 to 30 feet during the day. West Battle Lake and Eagle Lake are producing walleyes during the evening hours in 16 to 30 feet. Crappies have started hitting on West Battle, Pelican Lake, and Elbow Lake in 16 to 22 feet during the evening hours. Sunfish are being found suspended on Hancock Lake, East Lost Lake, South Turtle Lake, and Pelican over 16 to 22 feet of water. West Battle is a safe bet for pike with sucker minnows on the 17-foot weed edge.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
Walleye action has picked up in 14 to 20 feet early and late in the day at Big Wolf Lake, Lake Plantagenet, Lake Irvine, and Lake Bemidji. Crappies are being found suspended over 20 to 30 feet on Midge Lake, Kitchi Lake, and Grace Lake while sunfish and northern pike action is slow.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Rainbow and shiner minnows are turning walleyes in 10 to 20 feet on North Long Lake and Round Lake and in 20 to 25 feet on Gull Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 10 to 12 feet on most lakes. You’ll find suspended crappies over 15 to 25 feet at Pelican Lake during the evening hours. On North Long, sunfish are biting in eight to 10 feet as are crappies over 18 to 20 feet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CHISAGO AREA
The weedlines on the south end of Chisago Lake are holding panfish in six to eight feet. You’ll also find plenty of panfish on the north end of North Center Lake in six to 12 feet. On Sunrise Lake, northern pike and panfish are biting in six to 10 feet and there’s a consistent crappie bite at Kroon Lake in 16 to 18 feet.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
DETROIT LAKES
Deadshot Bay, Big Detroit Lake, Little Detroit Lake, Big Cormorant Lake, and Upper Cormorant Lake are all producing walleyes in 16 to 20 feet. Look for sunfish in 12 to 14 feet and crappies over 20 feet on Big Detroit, Big Cormorant, Lake Melissa, and Floyd Lake. Spearing and angling for northern pike has been strong on all lakes in shallow water.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
DULUTH AREA
Boulder Lake is a safe bet for walleyes in eight to 10 feet with chubs and the narrows on Fish Lake are producing walleyes and crappies over 12 to 14 feet - look for the crappies to be suspended. Rice Lake is kicking out northern pike in seven feet throughout the day.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
ELY AREA
Walleye action is slow with just a few fish being taken on Shagawa Lake in 20 to 22 feet. Crappies also have been tough to find, but northern pike are inhaling ciscoes in 10 feet or less at Birch Lake, Wood Lake, and Stub Lake.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
EMILY AREA
Look to Lake Esquagamah for crappies, straight out from the access, in 15 feet. On Ruth Lake, northern pike are being taken on sucker minnows in 20 feet. Walleyes have started hitting shiner minnows on West Fox Lake in 25 feet early and late in the day.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191
FAIRMONT AREA
Fox Lake is producing perch and crappies in 12 feet and Sissiton Lake is giving up bluegills and crappies in 15 to 18 feet during midday hours. On Hall Lake, you’ll find walleyes and crappies in 18 to 20 feet. Look to North Silver Lake for perch and Big Tuttle Lake for northern pike in shallow water.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREA
Walleyes, catfish, and perch are hitting on Roberds Lake in 20 feet. Look to Cannon Lake for perch and a few walleyes in 10 to 12 feet during the day. Hunts Lake started giving up sunfish and northern pike in 12 to 15 feet. The 30- to 35-foot hole on French Lake is worth noting for crappies early and late in the day.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND MARAIS AREA
Walleyes are hitting jigs and minnows on South Fowl Lake in five feet, Northern Lights Lake in eight feet, Tom Lake in 10 feet, East Twin Lake in seven feet, and Elbow Lake in five to eight feet. Spearing for northern pike has been consistent in the shallows of Northern Lights and Devil Track Lake.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Walleye action has been best in 14 to 24 feet on lakes such as Sugar, Pokegama, Trout, and Wabana. Crappies are being found over 20 feet on Big Splithand Lake, Little Splithand Lake, and Bowstring Lake. Tioga Bay on Pokegama is kicking out bluegills and crappies in 17 to 30 feet. Northern pike are an easy catch at Big Ball Club Lake, Shallow Lake, and Pokegama.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
Crappies continue to be caught on Webb Lake in 16 feet and at Birch Lake in 15 feet. Walleyes have started hitting jigging spoons in 23 feet at Birch Lake during the morning and evening hours. Northern pike and sunfish action is slow.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE VERMILION
Walleyes are hitting in 18 to 26 feet during the day and in 15 to 18 feet during low-light periods. Demon jigs tipped with a small sucker or shiner minnow are working best. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing pike in the bays and along shallow breaks. Look for sunfish in Larson Bay and the best crappie action is reported off the area’s small lakes.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
Look to the southeast end of Lake Hanska for walleyes in six feet. Mud Bay and Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington are kicking out panfish in 13 to 16 feet. The narrows on Madison Lake are giving up crappies in 15 feet and Scotch Lake is producing walleyes, perch, and pike in six feet.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
ORTONVILLE AREA
The south end of Big Stone Lake is producing perch, near the islands, in 10 to 12 feet. Small jigs tipped with spikes are producing the most fish. The north end of Big Stone is kicking out walleyes in eight feet. Toqua Lake in Graceville is giving up walleyes in less than six feet. The local sloughs are producing perch, but crappie reports are slow.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Walleyes are hitting shiner minnows in 23 feet of water on Fish Hook Lake. Northern pike are inhaling sucker minnows on Big Mantrap Lake in 14 feet and the Crow Wing Chain is a safe bet for bluegills in 12 to 14 feet. Look to Big Mantrap for crappies in 16 feet during low-light periods.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED LAKE
The most consistent walleye reports are coming off Center Bar in nine to 11 feet. Red glow jigs tipped with minnows have been the hottest presentation. There are roads staked to the best fishing areas and there are a few cracks to deal with so ask before venturing out.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Look for walleyes on Lake Koronis in 12 to 30 feet of water, on Rice Lake in 14 to 18 feet, and on Horseshoe Lake in 16 to 18 feet of water. Rice and Horseshoe are safe bets for crappies in 16 to 20 feet, but sunfish action is slow. Northern pike are very active in the shallows of Rice and Little Mud Lake.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
SAUK CENTRE AREA
There’s a short window of walleye activity at sunset on McCormick Lake in six feet. The north end of Lake Osakis is producing small walleyes in 20 feet. Look to Big Sauk Lake and the north end of Big Swan Lake for crappies in 24 feet or more. Northern pike and sunfish are tough to locate.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
A few walleyes are being pulled from Lake Minnewaska in 18 to 22 feet during low-light periods. Sunfish action is slow throughout the area. On the west side of Lake Reno, you’ll find walleyes and crappies in 16 to 18 feet and look slightly shallower on the east end.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WILLMAR AREA
Walleyes are being found in 20 feet or less on lakes such as Green, Eagle, Long, Solomon, Ringo, Norway, and Elizabeth. The key is to get away from the crowds and work low-light periods. Panfish seem to be scattered along with the walleyes on most lakes and northern pike are active in shallow water on area lakes.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097
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