Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing and Hunting Report 11-26-2011

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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
November 25, 2011

This report is sponsored by:
Archery Buyers Guide

Big Six


LAKE MILLE LACS
There is some ice forming in the bays, harbors, and along the shorelines. The warm weather this week was slowly eliminating the ice in places so if you want to get one last open-water fishing outing in, it could be an option this weekend.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
Ice has started to form along the shorelines and in some bays - water temperatures were at 31 degrees on Monday morning. Open-water walleyes continue to be caught on a jig and minnow at the Lighthouse Gap and Morris Gap. The Rainy River was producing better numbers of big walleyes earlier this week.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE
There hasn’t been much to report again this week. Ice has started to take hold along the shorelines and in some bays preventing boats from getting in and the main lake remained open. Deer hunting reports from last weekend weren’t outstanding as participation was minimal.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

LAKE MINNETONKA
The small bays, channels, and shorelines capped with ice Sunday night. Whether they stay locked will depend on the wind and temperatures this week. There’s still plenty of open water on the main lake, but no fishing to report.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
Ice comes and goes along the shorelines as the weather changes, but the main lake is wide open. There hasn’t been any open-water action to report due to the lack of anglers. The deer season wrapped up with some success, although the overall harvest appears down from last year. Many hunters stated that they weren’t seeing the number of deer they expected to see.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
The main lake was about two-thirds covered with ice last weekend, but the wind and warm weather chewed up most of it. The lake is ready to cap, we just need some cold weather to make it happen.
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
A couple of people continue to catch muskies on the deep weed edges of Forest Lake and White Bear Lake with large minnows. There’s still a lot of open water, but there’s very few people fishing.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
Anglers are fishing from shore and in boats on the Minnesota River and catching a few walleyes. Hunting reports have involved poor pheasant action, some geese being shot, and good success during the Carver Park special deer hunt.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
Walleyes continue to be caught in 40 feet or more on Lake Miltona and Lake Ida. There has been some decent muskie action reported off Miltona as well. Most lakes are wide open, while the ponds and some small lakes had ice on them earlier this week.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

BATTLE LAKE
There is some shoreline ice forming, but boats continue to be put in at West Battle Lake and Otter Tail Lake where walleyes can be had in 10 to 20 feet. Large sucker minnows or big plastic baits are producing muskies at West Battle in 18 to 22 feet as well.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
Trolling with large sucker minnows has produced muskies at Lake Bemidji in 20 feet. Most small lakes had two to three inches of ice on them early this week and there was a few guys fishing on them, although it is not advised due to the warm weather this week. The last weekend of deer hunting went well with some groups doing better than they did on the opener.
Bluewater Outdoors
(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA
All the lakes are ice covered with about three inches reported on some lakes earlier this week. No fishing to report, but with the right weather it could be an option soon. Deer hunters who took part in the last weekend did shoot some deer, but reports indicate a slower season than last year.
Timberline Sports and Tackle
(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
Anglers continue to have no problem getting a boat in at the south end of Gull Lake where the walleyes are biting in 20 to 30 feet. Some of the small lakes, bays, and backwater areas are capped with two to three inches of ice. There isn’t anything thick enough to walk on, but with the right weather it won’t be long before ice fishing is an option.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CROSBY AREA
Grouse and duck hunters were out in good numbers last weekend and they reported fair to good success. Where there was open water, geese, mallards, and a lot of divers, including redheads and canvasbacks, were prevalent. Some walleyes are being caught on the Mississippi River, downstream from Riverton, but ice has taken hold on most lakes.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

DETROIT LAKES
As of Tuesday morning, most lakes were covered with ice, but there wasn’t enough to walk on. There was two to three inches on some small lakes so if the wind stays down and the temperatures fall, the ice-fishing season is close to getting started.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

EMILY AREA
Many of the small lakes are completely ice-covered, as are the bays and shorelines of most bigger bodies of water. There isn’t enough ice to walk on and several nights of cold weather are needed before that becomes an option. Hunting activity has wound down, but there are some bluebills sitting where open water exists.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

GRAND MARAIS AREA
The third weekend of the deer season went like the first two did - mostly poor results. Ice has started to form on the ponds and small lakes, although there wasn’t enough ice to walk on as of Tuesday morning.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA
The big lakes are open, but there is as much as three inches of ice on some of those small lakes that traditionally see fishing activity early in the season. Ice fishing might not be an option by this weekend, but with any cold weather - or even if the wind doesn’t blow - next weekend could be likely.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

HACKENSACK AREA
There was ice starting to take hold early this week, but with warm weather in the forecast, much of it was expected to be gone or at least deteriorated by the weekend. The ice-fishing season is close, but we need some cold weather to think seriously about it.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

PARK RAPIDS AREA
The small, shallow lakes have been ice-covered since last weekend, but there isn’t enough ice to walk on. Most big lakes remained open as of Tuesday morning, with the exception of some ice on the shorelines and in the bays. Duck and goose numbers improved last weekend and hunters reported good success on the lakes that remained open.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE
The last week of the deer season provided a little more success for hunters, but the overall take is down from last year, based on hunter accounts. Big bucks were scarce with small bucks and antlerless deer making up the bulk of the harvest. There’s two to three inches of ice on most of the lake so if the wind stays down foot travel should be an option in the near future.
Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657
Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

RED WING AREA
Water temperatures have dipped to about 38 degrees and the sauger bite has improved below the dam on the Mississippi River. Hair jigs tipped with minnows or plastics are working best from the shorelines out to 17 feet. All the landings remain ice-free so there’s no problem getting a boat in anywhere.
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

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