Gary Engberg Outdoors

gengberg February 25th, 2010

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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
February 25th, 2010

This report is sponsored by:
Zippel Bay Resort

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
East - Walleye fishing remains a challenge with a few fish being caught during low-light periods on deep structure. Perch reports are scattered lakewide with the deep basins producing the most fish and the bays being a good secondary option in shallower waters. Look for tullibees in the deep basin as well.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West - If you stay mobile, you’ll pull perch, tullibees, and a few walleyes from deep water adjacent to the mud flats. Early and late in the day, walleyes also can be had on the 26- to 28-foot breaks on the flats. Look to Seguchie and Browns points for big perch in 26 to 29 feet.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Colored-glow jigging spoons continue to work best for walleyes and sauger, with better numbers of fish being found suspended. Fishing on the reefs has slowed a bit, with some action reported late in the afternoon. On the south shore, 33 feet of water seems to be best for walleyes and sauger this week.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA
The best perch bite in recent days has taken place on the GrandVu Flats in eight to 15 feet with jigging spoons and minnow heads. Walleye action has been more of a hit and miss bite, but the evening hours have provided some decent catches on the humps in Walker Bay. Finding good-sized bluegills and crappies remains difficult on all lakes.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Walleye action is limited to a few fish in the big bays of Lake Minnetonka in 17 to 27 feet. Pike can be had with sucker minnows on the 10- to 12-foot weedlines, while Black Lake and the North Arm of Minnetonka are producing sunfish in 12 to 14 feet. Small crappies remain active at Lake Independence and Medicine Lake over 35 feet or more.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
Walleyes remain active, but most have been too big or too small to keep. Better areas this week have been Franzen Island, McIntyre Island, and the American Narrows in 34 to 38 feet. Ciscoes continue to trigger northern pike in the Rainy Lake City area in 16 to 18 feet and crappie reports remain limited.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Perch action has been strong in 20 to 26 feet on the Snaghole Bar, Center Bar, and the humps from Center Bar to Raven’s. You might want to slide slightly deeper during midday hours. Walleyes also are being caught on these spots, mainly during low-light periods.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
Crappies remain active on White Bear Lake during the day in 12 to 15 feet. The north end of Big Carnelian Lake is producing crappies in 20 to 25 feet, as is Demonterville Lake in 10 to 12 feet. Look to the St. Croix River for crappies and white bass in 30 to 40 feet. Northern pike are being taken on tip-ups and sucker minnows at Centerville Lake and Lake Jane in 12 feet. Lake Peltier and Centerville continue to provide steady bluegill action in 10 to 14 feet.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
Crappies remain active on Hydes Lake in 14 to 16 feet and the north end of Prior Lake is a safe bet for sunfish in 15 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are turning northern pike at Lake Auburn and Lake Zumbra in eight to 10 feet. Look to Lake Parley for crappies in 18 feet and sunfish in 12 feet.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA
There’s an evening crappie bite on the 12- to 14-foot weedlines on Pillsbury Reef and Center Reef. The reefs also are the best option for sunfish in 12 to 15 feet. Small sucker minnows and tip-ups are producing northern pike on the weedlines and the walleyes caught have been big. Look to North Reef and Nelson’s Flats in 14 to 17 feet during low-light periods for walleyes.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
An occasional walleye can be had at Lake Miltona in 30 feet during low-light periods. Crappie action continues to be slow with a few fish coming off Lake Le Homme Dieu and Lake Ida in 25 feet during the evening. Sunfish and northern pike reports are slow.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA
Look to Clearwater Lake for a few walleyes in 20 to 24 feet. Pelican Lake started giving up sunfish and crappies in 10 to 12 feet and French Lake is worth noting for crappies over 25 to 50 feet. On Lake John, sunfish and crappies are in 20 to 30 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing pike at Clearwater, Pelican, and Pleasant Lake in 12 to 14 feet.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE
A few walleyes continue to be caught in 17 to 24 feet at West Battle Lake, Otter Tail Lake, and Eagle Lake. The 12- to 17-foot weedlines of North Turtle Lake, South Turtle Lake, Clitherall Lake, West Battle, and Otter Tail are giving up pike. Look for perch on the flats of Otter Tail in 12 to 17 feet. Sunfish are being caught in 11 to 15 feet at lakes Blanche, Walker, Star, Dead, Stuart, and East Battle. The best crappie action is coming from 17 to 21 feet at Pelican Lake, Wall Lake, East Battle, Dead, and Blanche. Tullibees continue to be found suspended in the deep holes of Otter Tail, Star, Mollie Stark Lake, and Lake Lida.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
An occasional walleye is caught on Lake Bemidji, Lake Plantagenet, Big Lake, Lake Irving, or Lake Julia in 15 to 20 feet. You’ll find perch on the north end of Bemidji and Irving in 20 feet or more during the afternoon hours. Crappies and bluegills have started to bite a bit better on Turtle River Lake, Sandy Lake, and Portage Lake in 10 to 15 feet.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA
A few more walleyes have bit in recent days at Island Lake, Gull Lake, and Blackduck Lake in eight to 14 feet during the evening. Blackduck also is kicking out good-sized perch in 10 to 14 feet or in 20 to 22 feet. Bluegill and crappie reports are limited.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Walleyes have started hitting on the main part of North Long Lake in 20 to 25 feet. The south end of Gull Lake also is giving up walleyes in 30 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 12 to 32 feet on lakes such as Gull, Cullen, and North Long. Look for crappies at Lake Margaret, Cullen, Pelican Lake, and North Long in 18 to 24 feet. Sunfish action also has improved at Nisswa Lake, Cullen, and North Long in 12 to 15 feet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA
Pike Bay Lake is kicking out a mixture of small and jumbo perch on the six- to eight-foot sand areas. Walleye action is slow, but crappies are active during the evening hours at Grace Lake and Kitchi Lake. The best bluegill action is taking place on the 16- to 18-foot weedlines of most lakes.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831

CHISAGO AREA
There’s a good crappie bite during the evening hours in 20 to 24 feet at Chisago Lake, South Center Lake, and Kroon Lake. Look for sunfish in the shallows of South Center, from Sunset Point to Hazelton and below Bluewaters on North Center Lake. Sucker minnows are turning big pike at Sunrise Lake in four to eight feet.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

CROSBY AREA
Bass Lake, Upper Dean Lake, Bay Lake, Cedar Lake, and Milford Lake are producing bluegills and crappies in 18 to 30 feet. The 28- foot rock breaks of Serpent Lake and Rabbit Lake are producing a few walleyes at night, but for better numbers of walleyes, hit Pelican Lake in 26 to 30 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on the weedlines of most lakes.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

CUSHING AREA
Crappies remain active during low-light periods at Fish Trap Lake in 30 to 40 feet. An occasional walleye is pulled from the Soldiers Island area of Lake Alexander during the evening hours in 19 to 21 feet. The Augers Resort area of Lake Shamineau also produces a walleye or two at night.
Hilltop Sports (320) 749-2055

DETROIT LAKES
Sunfish and crappies are hitting on Little Detroit Lake in 10 to 12 feet and on Big Detroit Lake in 18 to 20 feet. Look to Floyd Lake for panfish in 18 feet and on Lake Melissa in 18 to 21 feet. A few walleyes continue to be caught early and late in the day in 18 to 22 feet on Lake Sallie, Melissa, Pelican Lake, and Big Cormorant Lake. Pike are hitting sucker minnows and tip-ups on most lakes from six to 15 feet throughout the day.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA
Look for crappies on Comstock Lake in 12 to 14 feet and at Grand Lake in 15 feet. The Duluth Harbor continues to produce walleyes via jigging spoons in seven to 10 feet, mainly on the outside edge of the channel. A few pike are being taken on smelt at Rice Lake in six feet. Floating ice has limited shoreline fishing along the north shore of Lake Superior.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

EAST-CENTRAL MINN
With some work, you’ll pull crappies from 12 feet at Briggs Lake and at Lori Lake in 12 to 17 feet early and late in the day. A few sunfish are coming off Blue Lake in 15 feet. An occasional northern pike can be had with tip-ups and sucker minnows on the weed edges of Ann Lake and Blue Lake, but walleye reports have been nonexistent.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

ELY AREA
Jigging spoons tipped with Berkley Power Bait are producing lake trout over 50 feet at Burntside Lake. You’ll also find a few lake trout suspended over deep water at Snowbank Lake. Lake trout reports off the small lakes have been limited, while walleye and crappie action also remains slow.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744

EMILY AREA
The north end of East Fox Lake is kicking out northern pike on tip-ups and sucker minnows in 10 to 15 feet. Crappies are being found suspended at Lawrence Lake over 30 to 40 feet during the morning and evening hours. A few walleyes can be had on the humps of Mitchell Lake during the evening hours in 20 feet. Look to Smokey Hollow Lake for sunfish in 25 feet.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

FAIRMONT AREA
Hall Lake is producing perch, walleyes, and crappies in 18 to 20 feet early and late in the day. On Fox Lake, you’ll find perch and crappies in 17 feet. Bluegills and crappies can be had at Sissiton Lake in 16 to 18 feet and the north side of Budd Lake started giving up bluegills and crappies.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA
Look to French Lake for small crappies over 25 to 40 feet. The deep holes of Lake Mazaska are holding crappies and Hunts Lake is kicking out a few sunfish in 15 to 20 feet. The weedlines of Kelley Dudley Lake are giving up pike via sucker minnows, but walleye reports continue to be limited.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA
Lake trout are suspended and hitting ciscoes over 60 feet at Lake Saganaga, over 50 feet at Loon Lake, and over 40 to 42 feet at Duncan Lake. At Moss Lake and Trout Lake, you’ll find lakers tight to the bottom over 40 to 50 feet. Waxworms are the ticket for rainbows at Mink Lake in 15 feet and at Kimball Lake in 15 to 18 feet. Look to Bogus Lake for brook trout and splake in 20 feet and to Carrot Lake for brookies in 12 feet. Shoe Lake also is producing brook trout in 15 feet. Walleye reports are poor, but sucker minnows are triggering northern pike at Northern Lights Lake and Devil Track Lake.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Look for crappies over 30 feet at Rice Lake, over 40 feet at Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake, and in 20 feet at Big Splithand and Little Splithand lakes. Bluegill action has picked up in eight to 17 feet at Bass Lake and in 18 to 20 feet at Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake. An occasional walleye is caught during the evening hours in 15 to 25 feet at Lake Wabana or in 30 feet at Big Cutfoot and Sugar Lake. Lakes such as Pokegama, Trout, and Wabana continue to produce pike and ciscoes are producing lake trout over 40 to 60 feet at Pit Lake, Big Trout Lake, and Bluewater Lake. Waxworms are working best for stream trout at Taylor Lake, Moonshine Lake, and Kremer Lake.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

HACKENSACK AREA
Walleyes and perch started hitting rainbow minnows on Woman Lake during the morning and evening hours in 25 feet. On Ten Mile Lake, sunfish and crappies have started biting over 30 feet. You’ll also find crappies suspended over 25 feet on Birch Lake and sunfish in shallower water at Lindsey Lake.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

LAKE KABETOGAMA
Small jigs and minnows are producing walleyes early in the morning and late in the afternoon on the 30- to 40-foot reef breaks. The shallow bays continue to produce northern pike and crappie action is slow.
Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

LAKE VERMILION AREA
During the day, you’ll find walleyes at the base of the sharp breaks in 26 to 34 feet, while the evening hours are best in 15 to 19 feet. Look for pike on rock piles in large bays or in shallow, mud-bottomed bays. Panfish action has improved on lakes such as Myrtle, Long, and Elephant. The smaller lakes in this area should start producing jumbo perch as well.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052

MANKATO AREA
The Grassy Island area on Madison Lake is producing walleyes during low-light periods in 12 feet. Look to Church Bar on Madison for crappies in 10 to 12 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are turning pike on the weedlines of Little Jefferson Lake. Third Point and Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington are worth noting for panfish in 20 feet.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

McGREGOR AREA
Tullibees continue to be caught on waxworms at the north end of Big Sandy Lake over deep water. Walleye action continues to be slow, but crappies are hitting during low-light periods on the north end of Big Sandy in 20 to 25 feet.
Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382

PARK RAPIDS AREA
Walleye action has picked up with shiner minnows on Island Lake and Potato Lake in 27 to 29 feet. Fish Hook Lake is producing northern pike in 16 feet via sucker minnows. On the Crow Wing Chain, you’ll find crappies in 28 feet and bluegills in nine to 12 feet.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE
Walleye action is decent, but the fish are a bit more picky. The first shoreline break in six to 10 feet has been best with the Popples and north shore rocks also producing walleyes. There has been a few more crappies caught about three miles out of Hillman’s in 14 feet. Northern pike are being caught on tip-ups and sucker minnows throughout the lake.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657

RED WING AREA
More boats are hitting the dam area of the Mississippi River and catching saugers on hair jigs and fatheads in 18 to 22 feet. Ice anglers are catching a few walleyes and sauger on Lake Pepin with small glow jigs and minnows in 25 feet. Work the Baypoint Park docks for panfish.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Look to the islands of Lake Koronis for walleyes and crappies in 20 to 30 feet during the evening. The deep holes of Koronis are producing tullibees as well. Browns Lake is kicking out crappies in 20 to 30 feet, while Horseshoe Lake and Cedar Island Lake are giving up a few sunfish in 12 to 14 feet.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA
Grass shrimp or Eurolarvae are producing some sunfish on the north end of Lake Osakis in 18 to 22 feet. You’ll also find crappies in 40 to 45 feet on the north end of Osakis. Look to Smith Lake for sunfish in 12 feet and crappies continue to be found over 32 to 38 feet or in 12 feet on Sauk Lake. A few walleyes have been caught on Sauk in 20 feet and pike are active on Sauk in 10 to 12 feet.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA
The sunfish started biting again on the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska in 12 to 15 feet. The Lakeside Ballroom area has been most productive and a few crappies also have been caught in this area. Spearing for northern pike has improved on the west side of Lake Emily in less than eight feet.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239

WILLMAR AREA
The east side of Norway Lake is producing crappies and the west side is a safe bet for sunfish. A few perch and walleyes continue to be caught on Eagle Lake in 10 to 20 feet and look to Diamond Lake for crappies and perch in 15 feet or less. The deep holes on the northwest corner of Green Lake are producing a few walleyes and crappies during low-light periods.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097

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