Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 4-1-2010
gengberg April 1st, 2010
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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
April 1st, 2010
This report is sponsored by:
Zippel Bay Resort
Big Six
LAKE MILLE LACS
A few people were sneaking on the lake early in the week, but the ice is deteriorating at a rapid pace. With wind and warm weather, ice fishing won’t be an option this weekend so anglers are waiting for open water, which seems to be just around the corner.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430
LAKE OF THE WOODS
A few anglers continued to get on the main-lake ice last weekend, but access points were limited. The Rainy River provides plenty of open-water fishing options and the walleye bite seems to be improving each day. 
With water temperatures continuing to climb - it was about 38 degrees early in the week - the action should only keep getting better.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH
LEECH LAKE AREA
Ice fishing was limited, but was an option earlier in the week at a few locations. Given the weather over the past five days getting on the lake by this weekend probably won’t be an option. The main-lake ice is black and the shorelines are open too far to get on the ice.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
There’s still quite a bit of ice on most big lakes, but the small lakes and bays have really opened this week. 
There is a few crappies being caught from the channels of Lake Minnetonka so start checking those traditional spring panfish locations. By this weekend, open water should be quite evident throughout the area.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227
RAINY LAKE
The ice fishing season ended after last weekend and if the warm weather continues there’s a good chance some of the bays could be open within a week to 10 days. A few walleyes are being caught in open water at the mouth of the Little Fork River on minnows and jigs.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly. The shorelines have pulled away and this week’s wind and warm weather took its toll on the lake with small pockets of open water noticeable on the main portion of the lake.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226
Twin Cities Metro
NORTHEAST METRO
The small lakes are ice free and the bigger lakes are partially open. By this weekend, most lakes are expected to be completely open. Anglers fishing from shore are finding a few panfish in Sucker Creek and a few more days of warm weather should push panfish into many of the traditional spring areas. Fishing action on the rivers remains limited due to high water.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421
WEST METRO
There’s still ice floating on most lakes, but the shorelines have opened far enough to allow for some open-water fishing. By this weekend the ice is expected to be gone throughout the area. The panfish bite has been slow, but could quickly improve if the weather stays warm.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022
Statewide
ALEXANDRIA AREA
There should be plenty of open water in this area by next week if the weather remains warm. The ice that remains is black and seemed to be dissolving more and more each day. Look to the shallow bays and channels to start producing crappies soon if the weather continues to cooperate.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255
ANNANDALE AREA
Most channels, harbors, and some small bays are now open. There was still quite a bit of main-lake ice on most lakes early this week, but the wind and warm temperatures were eliminating what remained. Any measurable rain or continued warm weather could open the lakes within the next week.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297
BATTLE LAKE
There’s too much ice to fish open water and not enough to walk on. The lakes really started to open with this week’s wind and warm weather. If this pattern continues or with some added rain, look for most small lakes and bays to be ice-free within the next week.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596
BEMIDJI AREA
The shorelines and channel areas have started to open to the point that open water doesn’t appear to be too far away. Although there was still a lot of ice on area lakes early this week it was black and deteriorating at an alarming pace.
Bluewater Outdoors (218) 444-BAIT (2248)
BLACKDUCK AREA
There were some limited ice fishing options last weekend, but it wasn’t advised. The lakes are black, the shorelines are open, and this week’s weather really put ice-out on the fast track. If this weather pattern continues, open-water options should be available very soon.
Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
There should be plenty of spots to get a boat in the water by this weekend. The ice that remained this week was going out in a hurry and some bays and small lakes were already open. The channels and harbors have already offered open-water crappie fishing options, but the fish don’t seem to be there quite yet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010
CHISAGO AREA
By this weekend, there should be a lot of open water to fish. The ice that remained early in the week was not in good shape and should be completely gone within the next seven to 10 days. Look to the culverts and channel areas to be the first spots to produce crappies on most lakes.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334
CROSBY AREA
A few small, shallow lakes are ice-free. By this weekend there’s a good chance the majority of ice in this area will be gone. Some anglers have started fishing the backwater areas and shorelines for panfish, but the bite has been poor. A few more days of warm weather should start to drive crappies into these shallow locations.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912
CUSHING AREA
Anglers are waiting for the rest of the ice to go out so they can start hitting open water. The ice really took a hit over the past week so some of the bays and shorelines should be good to work as early as this weekend.
Hilltop Sports (320) 749-2055
DETROIT LAKES
The small ponds and bays have opened, but there was still a lot of ice on most big lakes early in the week. The good news was that the wind was pushing the ice and the warm weather was melting it in the process. Expect plenty of open water within the next week if the weather stays warm.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248
DULUTH AREA
There’s still ice on the inland lakes, but it’s expected to be gone within the next week if the warm weather persists. The accesses on Lake Superior are open and small boats are being put in. Trolling small stickbaits along the shorelines has produced cohos. The mouths of most rivers are holding steelhead and Kamloops and there are fish being caught along the pier at the Duluth entry.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
EAST-CENTRAL MINN
The ice is expected to be off most lakes by the weekend or early next week. There has been a few people already fishing open water for crappies with little or no success. Look to the channels and shorelines to start producing panfish soon and if the Mississippi River tames a bit, catfish action should also improve.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985
ELY AREA
There isn’t much to report here. The ice fishing season has ended and if the warm weather continues, it looks like the ice is going to be gone much earlier than most years. The shorelines have opened and small pockets of open water are starting to appear on several lakes.
The Great Outdoors (218) 365-4744
EMILY AREA
This week’s wind and warm weather took its toll on all lakes. There’s a good chance many lakes will be completely ice-free by this weekend and a few anglers have started fishing from shore on a few lakes for panfish, but the bite has been slow.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191
FAIRMONT AREA
The ice that remained on area lakes early this week was floating and shifting with the wind. There has been a handful of anglers fishing from shore for panfish with little or no success, but by this weekend, the ice should be gone allowing for more open-water crappie options.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225
FARIBAULT AREA
There isn’t much ice left on area lakes and many lakes are expected to be completely open by this weekend. Although shoreline fishing for panfish has been slow, there should be plenty of spots to start checking within the next week.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341
GRAND MARAIS AREA
There’s still quite a bit of ice on most lakes, although the current flows have started to open. If this recent weather pattern holds for another week, there’s a good chance open water will be quite noticeable within the next 10 days.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280
GRAND RAPIDS AREA
The ice turned black quickly this week and some of the small lakes and bays have started to open. If the warm weather holds, there should be a lot of open water to work within the next two weeks. Right now, most bays on the Mississippi River are producing bluegills and crappies where shore and boat fishing are both options.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281
HACKENSACK AREA
The shoreline ice is gone, the channels and bays are opening, and the main-lake ice that’s left is deteriorating more each day. There’s a good chance open water fishing options could present themselves within a week to 10 days - much earlier than most years.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176
LAKE VERMILION
You could still get on the ice last weekend, but you needed hip waders or a long plank to do so. The small bays are now open and the big bays only had a thin sheet of ice left on them. There’s a good chance Vermilion could set a new ice-out record if the warm weather continues.
Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052
MANKATO AREA
There isn’t a lot of ice left and most is expected to be gone by this weekend. A few anglers have started fishing open water for panfish with no success, but that could quickly change with more warm weather.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228
ORTONVILLE AREA
The ice is going out very quickly. The south end of Big Stone Lake has started to bust loose and if the weather stays warm, there’s a good chance the lakes in this area could all be open within 10 days.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480
PARK RAPIDS AREA
Most ponds and some bays were open earlier this week. By the weekend, look for most small lakes to be ice-free as well. The ice that remained was black and the wind was pushing it around so it’s expected to go quick. A few anglers have started to hit a few traditional spring panfish locations, but the shoreline bite has been slow.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281
RED LAKE
There isn’t much to report other than the creeks are flowing and the shorelines have opened on the main lake. The ice that remains is black and deteriorating at a rapid pace. If the warm weather continues, ice-out shouldn’t be too far away.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
RED WING AREA
Good-sized sauger remain active and the bigger walleyes really started to bite earlier in the week. A hair jig and fathead minnow continues to work best in 18 to 22 feet in the High Bridge area, Hay Creek area, and at the mouth of Baypoint Park. Below the dam, anglers have battled with accidental catches of paddlefish and some very large sturgeon.
Ike’s Bait and Tackle (651) 388-2111
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334
ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
The shorelines have opened as are most channels, bays, and current areas. The ice should be completely gone within the next week and there’s already plenty of spots to fish open water. So far, the crappie action has been slow although that could quickly change if the weather stays warm.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248
SAUK CENTRE AREA
The ice is going out in a hurry. By this weekend, many of the lakes should allow for some shore fishing. The ice that remained is black and in most cases floating and being pushed around by the wind earlier this week.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155
STARBUCK AREA
The ice that’s left should be gone by this weekend or early next week. Many of the bays and small lakes have already opened so expect the crappies to move into those boat harbors and bays very soon.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle (320) 239-2239
WATERVILLE AREA
Most lakes should be completely open by this weekend. There has already been some open-water fishing taking place, but the panfish haven’t moved into the shallows.
Axel’s Tackle Box (507) 362-4444
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