Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report 1-12-2012

gengberg January 12th, 2012

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Minnesota Outdoor News Fishing Report
January 13, 2012

This report is sponsored by:
Archery Buyers Guide

Big Six

LAKE MILLE LACS
East - ATV travel is the only option on the main lake due to lagging ice depths. The best ice conditions on this end are being found south of Big Point or in the bays, where a fair number of fish houses are being pulled. Walleye and perch action in the areas being fished has been good with consistent reports coming from 16 to 20 feet. Cove Bay, Isle Bay, and Wahkon Bay continue to produce a lot of northern pike via tip-ups and sucker minnows in 10 to 15 feet.Walleye Soortsman Matt Olson
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West - There’s still open water on the main part of the lake, but there is some fishing taking place in the bays. Anglers are catching enough walleyes to stay interested in 12 to 18 feet throughout Wigwam Bay, Garrison Bay, and St. Alban’s Bay. A few good-sized perch and northern pike also have been in the mix.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS
During the day, 26 to 32 feet is now the magic depth for walleyes and sauger. There is some shallower action, 18 feet, during low-light periods along the south shore. Gold or red glow jigs and shiner minnows continue to work best. There’s now 17 inches of ice in the areas being fished, but stay on the roads marked by resorts.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau
(800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE
Ice depths continue to vary in Walker Bay. Generally, the better ice is found over shallow water with “iffy” ice depths on the deeper parts of the bay. Anglers are using ATVs to get to the deep humps in the bay and they’re catching a few walleyes during the evening hours over 27 to 32 feet. If you stay on the move during daytime hours, you’ll hit some perch in 10 to 12 feet on the flats in Trader’s Bay and around Goose Island. These areas also will kick out a few walleyes at night. Stoney Point started producing walleyes during low-light periods as well.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505Walleye Rob Hudson

LAKE MINNETONKA AREA
Wayzata Bay, Brown’s Bay, and Carson’s Bay on Lake Minnetonka are giving up walleyes during the evening hours in 28 to 36 feet. A sporadic panfish bite is reported in Carson’s and Spring Park on Minnetonka in 10 to 15 feet. Sucker minnows and tip-ups are producing northern pike at Medicine Lake in 12 feet. Ice depths really vary with open water on parts of the big lakes and up to nine inches on others.
Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE
Walleyes are hitting spoons in 30 to 32 feet off Birch Point in Sand Bay, especially during the evening hours. The Rainy Lake City area also is producing good numbers of walleyes in 30 feet during low-light periods. Northern pike action has been good for spearers and anglers in the Birch Point and Rainy Lake City areas.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
ATVs remain the best travel option due to cracks and ridges that continue to open or shift. You’ll hit perch during the day and a few walleyes during the evening hours on the sunken island in 20 to 24 feet. Perch also are being caught on Snaghole Bar in 15 feet or off the edge in 30 feet. The best perch action on the west side is coming from 12 to 15 feet.Walleye 5 Coon bloedorn
Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

Twin Cities Metro

NORTHEAST METRO
Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing bass at Demonterville Lake in shallow water. Look to Lake Peltier for crappies and sunfish in 10 feet or less. Bald Eagle Lake is giving up walleyes in 18 to 20 feet during low-light periods and crappies during the day in 20 to 25 feet. Big Carnelian Lake and Lake Phalen are providing steady northern pike action with sucker minnows.
Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO
Ice depths vary and there is some open water on the big lakes so traveling by foot is the best option. Spring Lake is giving up sunfish in 20 to 22 feet and on Cedar Lake you’ll hit sunfish and small crappies in shallower water. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing northern pike at Pierson Lake in 12 feet. On the Minnesota River, anglers continue to fish from shore and on the ice for walleyes.
Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA
Most of the lake has 10 inches of ice, but there are springs that remain open and those are marked with thin ice signs. The people traveling with ATVs to the reefs such as Kegg’s, Pillsbury, and Center are catching walleyes and crappies during low-light periods in 12 to 14 feet. In Waconia Bay, northern pike and small crappies can be had in nine to 12 feet.
Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

Statewide

ALEXANDRIA AREA
Look to Lake Miltona, Lake Darling, and Lake Le Homme Dieu for walleyes in 16 to 22 feet. Jigging spoons continue to work best. You’ll find crappies in 15 to 20 feet and sunfish in 12 to 15 feet early and late each day at Maple Lake and Smith Lake. Spearing for northern pike remains good at Lake Geneva, Smith, and Le Homme Dieu.
Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle
(320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA
Sunfish are hitting in 10 to 16 feet at Clearwater Lake, Lake Marie, Lake John, and Maple Lake. There’s some evening crappie action in 25 to 32 feet at Clearwater, Pleasant Lake, and French Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 12 to 14 feet on Cedar Lake, Sugar Lake, and Clearwater. Look for a few walleyes to hit during low-light periods in 16 to 25 feet on Buffalo Lake and Clearwater.
Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297 www.littlejimssports.com

BATTLE LAKE
Walleyes are hitting fatheads and shiner minnows at West Battle Lake in 25 to 45 feet and Otter Tail Lake in 15 to 24 feet. Sucker minnows are triggering northern pike in 15 feet at West Battle, Otter Tail, and Fiske Lake. Look for a mixed bag of panfish off West Battle, South Turtle Lake, and Blanche Lake in 10 to 15 feet and West Battle and Otter Tail started giving up perch in 10 to 24 feet.
Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BEMIDJI AREA
The east side of Diamond Bar on Lake Bemidji is kicking out perch and walleyes in 16 to 22 feet. The hump on the north side of Lake Plantagenet also is giving up perch in 18 to 22 feet. Look to Lake Andrusia for walleyes in 15 to 20 feet and to Kitchi Lake for panfish in 15 to 22 feet. Northern pike spearing has been good on the east side of Bemidji and at Grant Lake.
Bluewater Outdoors
(218) 444-BAIT (2248)

BLACKDUCK AREA
Spoons and minnow heads continue to produce walleyes during the evening hours in 18 to 20 feet and perch during the day in 12 to 16 feet at Blackduck Lake. A few walleyes also are coming off Island Lake during the evening hours in 12 to 15 feet. Panfish action has been slow this week, but northern pike remain active on most lakes in eight to 15 feet.
Timberline Sports and Tackle
(218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
A jig tipped with rainbows or shiner minnows is turning walleyes in 15 to 32 feet on Gull Lake, North Long Lake, and Round Lake. There’s no problem catching northern pike with sucker minnows on Gull in eight to 18 feet. Glow jigs and minnows are producing crappies at Round, Cullen Lake, and the south end of Gull in 12 to 19 feet and sunfish are being found on most small lakes in eight to 12 feet.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA
Walleye fishing has been best early and late in the day at Cass Lake and Pike Bay Lake in 18 to 25 feet. Pike Bay also is giving up perch in 20 feet or more. Northern pike action has been excellent in shallow water on Cass, Pike Bay, and Wolf Lake. Look for consistent panfish activity on Big Lake, Grace Lake, Midge Lake, and Wolf.
Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831

CHISAGO AREA
Sunfish continue to be caught on the south end of Chisago Lake from the A-Frame to the Eagle’s Nest in five to seven feet and at North Lindstrom Lake in six to 10 feet. South Lindstrom Lake and North Center Lake are kicking out crappies during the evening in 12 to 18 feet. The 18-foot sunken island on Chisago is giving up walleyes and there’s a night bite for crappies here in 20 to 24 feet.
Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

DETROIT LAKES
Spoons and setlines tipped with shiner minnows are producing walleyes in 18 to 20 feet at lakes Melissa, Floyd, Pelican, Big Cormorant, Big Detroit, and Little Detroit. Look for sunfish during the day in 10 to 12 feet and crappies at night over 20 feet at Big Detroit, Floyd, Severson Lake, and Height of Land Lake. Northern pike have been very active this week on all lakes in eight to 15 feet.
Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248

DULUTH AREA
Rice Lake is giving up perch and northern pike in six feet, while Fish Lake continues to produce crappies in 12 to 14 feet. Boulder Lake is kicking out walleyes, although they are running smaller this week and you will find crappies here in 10 to 14 feet.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094

FAIRMONT AREA
Ice conditions continue to limit fishing options throughout the area. The only spots worth noting are at Hall Lake, where perch and walleyes are being caught in 15 feet and at Charlotte Lake, where perch and northern pike are coming out of four feet. Anglers are walking on these two lakes, but not any others, as of Tuesday.
Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle (507) 235-5225

FARIBAULT AREA
Crappies and walleyes are being pulled from French Lake over 20 to 25 feet and Lake Mazaska is giving up crappies in 20 feet. Anglers at Kelley Dudley Lake are finding northern pike in 12 feet and suspended sunfish in 14 to 30 feet. On Roberds Lake, northern pike and crappies are being taken in 18 to 25 feet.
Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341

GRAND MARAIS AREA
Walleye action remains favorable at Two Island Lake in eight to 12 feet, East Twin Lake in 15 feet, Caribou Lake in 18 feet, and at Lake Saganaga and Seagull Lake in 25 feet. At Pike Lake, you’ll hit walleyes in 12 to 18 feet and perch in eight to 10 feet, while Elbow Lake is giving up perch and walleyes in two to six feet. Lake trout are hitting jigging spoons over 25 feet at Daniels Lake, Duncan Lake, and Rose Lake, but most have been small.
Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280

GRAND RAPIDS AREA
Walleyes continue to be caught during the evening hours at Lake Pokegama in 10 to 40 feet, Sugar Lake in 17 to 25 feet, and at lakes Wabana and Trout in 16 to 30 feet. You’ll find crappies in 20 feet at Bowstring Lake, Big and Little Splithand lakes, and over 20 to 50 feet at Pokegama. On Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake, crappies and sunfish are being pulled from 20 to 35 feet. Sunfish are hitting best late in the afternoon at Bass Lake and Graves Lake in 16 to 18 feet. The 14- to 35-foot humps on Pokegama continue to kick out big pike.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

HACKENSACK AREA
Crappie action has picked up at Birch Lake during the evening hours in 18 feet. Stoney Lake is kicking out crappies during low-light periods in 18 to 20 feet and Child Lake is worth noting for sunfish in eight to 10 feet. On Mule Lake, sunfish started hitting in seven feet, while Woman Lake is giving up sunfish and crappies in 12 to 18 feet.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle (218) 675-6176

LAKE VERMILION
Walleyes are hitting setlines baited with rainbow minnows or a small sucker better than jigging spoons. The best reports are coming from 26 to 36 feet and you will hit a few jumbo perch as well. Ice conditions have improved and there is some vehicle traffic beginning on the lake.
Lake Vermilion Guides League

MANKATO AREA
On Lake Washington, you’ll find crappies and a few walleyes in 25 feet from Grassy Island all the way to Third Point. Mud Bay on Washington is worth hitting for sunfish in six to eight feet. On the east bay of Madison Lake, northern pike action has been excellent for spearing and angling. Hit the south end of Lake Hanska for walleyes in five feet during low-light periods.
The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

McGREGOR AREA
Crappie action has been excellent on Big Sandy Lake during the evening hours in 15 feet. On Lake Minnewawa, you’ll also hit crappies, although they are a bit smaller and in 20 feet of water. Northern pike reports have been very good throughout the area for spearing and angling in less than 12 feet.
Willey’s Sport Shop & Spirits
(218) 426-3382

ORTONVILLE AREA
There hasn’t been anyone on lakes Big Stone and Traverse due to poor ice conditions. The south end of Lake Lac qui Parle is giving up crappies in 14 feet and there are some walleyes and northern pike being pulled through the ice below the Highway 75 dam on the Minnesota River. Peterson Slough continues to kick out perch and crappies in 10 to 12 feet.
Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480

PARK RAPIDS AREA
Long Lake started giving up walleyes in 15 to 20 feet and Fish Hook Lake continues to produce walleyes in 24 feet. Northern pike remain active in 10 to 14 feet at Fish Hook, while North Twin Lake is producing walleyes and northern pike in 16 to 24 feet. Portage Lake started giving up crappies and bluegills in eight to 10 feet and the Crow Wing Chain is a safe bet for panfish as well in 10 to 14 feet of water.
Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

PERHAM AREA
Setlines and shiner minnows or small jigging spoons are turning walleyes during the evening hours at Big Pine Lake in 11 feet. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are the ticket for northern pike at Rush Lake in eight to 10 feet throughout the day. Look to Star Lake and Dead Lake for panfish in 10 to 22 feet. The bigger crappies have been suspending over the 20-foot depths.
Gene’s Sport Shop (218) 346-3355

PINE CITY AREA
The north end of Lake Pokegama is giving up crappies and a few walleyes in 20 to 23 feet, while the west side is producing sunfish in 14 to 16 feet and northern pike in 12 feet. The north end of Cross Lake is producing sunfish in 17 feet and crappies in 24 feet. Tip-ups and suckers have provided plenty of pike on Cross in eight feet. Crappies are hitting at night straight out from the access on Knife Lake in 10 feet and you’ll find crappies and walleyes suspended over the 50-foot hole on Goose Lake. The Cigar Island area of West Rush Lake is producing perch, sunfish, and crappies in 30 feet, while Crane Island is kicking out crappies over 40 feet. On East Rush Lake, shiner minnows are producing walleyes in 18 feet and northern pike in 10 to 14 feet.
Red’s Bait & Tackle (320) 629-1154

RED LAKE
Walleye action has slowed a bit, but limits are being taken in eight to 13 feet along the east shore or in 13 to 16 feet on the south shore. Jigging spoons and setlines are both working during the day and night. A few crappies are showing up over 14 to 16 feet and several big northern pike were caught again this week in the same areas where the walleyes are biting.
Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

RED WING AREA
There’s been no problem getting a boat on the Mississippi River and the fishing has been good. Walleyes are hitting hair jigs and minnows early and late in the day below the dam in 16 to 20 feet. During midday hours, this same area and presentation has produced numbers of good-sized sauger. Deteriorating ice along the shorelines has limited ice fishing activity in the back channels this week.
Four Seasons Sports (651) 388-4334

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA
Crappies and sunfish have started hitting on Pearl Lake in 12 to 14 feet and the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes in 15 to 30 feet. Look to Grand Lake and Goodner Lake for sunfish in six to 10 feet and a few walleyes are coming off Rice Lake in 20 feet. Northern pike continue to cruise the shallows of Lake Koronis.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA
Sunfish action has picked up on the north end of Lake Osakis in 17 to 20 feet. Crappies continue to hit at Sauk Lake in 26 to 36 feet and you’ll find sunfish in 15 to 18 feet at Maple Lake. A few walleyes are being caught during low-light periods at Sauk and Big Birch Lake in 18 to 26 feet.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

STARBUCK AREA
Not much has changed from a week ago, which means hitting Bottle Bay on the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska for sunfish and crappies in 12 feet. Northern pike are hitting on most lakes in 12 feet and shiner minnows continue to produce walleyes in 14 to 16 feet at Minnewaska and Reno Lake.
Minnewaska Bait and Tackle
(320) 239-2239

WATERVILLE AREA
There isn’t much to report in this area due to poor ice conditions. There doesn’t seem to be a lake in the area that’s safe for anything other than foot travel and that’s kept most people off the ice. A few people are spearing area lakes, but they aren’t traveling very far from shore and there are spots with open water on most lakes.
Axel’s Tackle Box (507) 362-4444

WILLMAR AREA
The accesses on many lakes are getting beat up and the shallow, prairie lakes still have open water. Basically, anglers are fishing only where the ice allows them to go. That means a few walleyes continue to be caught during low-light periods on lakes such as Eagle, Diamond, Andrew, and Florida. Panfish reports have been non-existent this week.
Brad’s 71 Bait and Sports (320) 235-4097

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