Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

March 21, 2008

ANNANDALE - B.J.'s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses, www.bjsbait.com (320-274-3730) We are looking forward to open water now. The shop is closed until April 19th.

ANOKA - Action's Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10, www.actionsfishing.com (763-422-4890) Action’s fishing has moved one block west and has sold the bait business; the new name will be Anoka Bait and Tackle. Action’s fishing will continue to repair trolling motors, rig boats and sell electronics.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) The sunnies are biting all over. Try Dead, West Battle, Star and South Turtle. They are biting anywhere from 10 to 20 feet of water, and they have been moving shallower. The crappies are biting on West Battle, Star, Dead and South Turtle Lakes from about 18 to 22 feet of water and they are suspended. And some are starting to catch some nicer perch on Ottertail Lake too out on the flats.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) Guys have been getting some sunnies out on Grace in 11 feet of water. And on Lake Bemidji off Cameron, guys getting perch in 20 25 feet of water and on the north end. Some guys are having some luck on Turtle Lake for crappies too.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) We still have good ice. On Blackduck, the perch bite is still going ok. Guys are working at it by moving around and they are able to get them. Pimusche has still been good, and Gilstad and Rabideau, and Gull have all been good for panfish too.

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA - S&W Bait and Tackle - Home of Nisswa Guide League, County Road 77 just west of Highway 371, www.sandwbait.com (218-829-7010)

CHISAGO CITY - Frankie's Live Bait and Marine, Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and CR 77, www.frankies.net (651-257-6334) Good panfishing everywhere. Guys are having good luck hole hopping around. On Chisago they are hitting, even the crappies during the day. The next few weeks are going to be the best. Action is good on all the lakes. Fish light, with light line and waxies.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Crappie action is very good in the evenings, and some lakes are putting out some fish during the day. Look for the best action to be on small panfish plastics as far as a jigging line goes, and still some fish on crappie minnows on small Demons and Moon Glows under a bobber. Active fish have been showing up scattered throughout the water column, so a flasher is a very handy tool. Some really nice bluegills have been coming in; almost all of them have been caught on eurolarvae loaded on small horizontal style jigs. It varies somewhat day to day as to whether or not they will hit a wax worm, but if the fish are aggressive the waxies are just fine as well. Downsize, downsize, downsize! Shallow water and green weeds on area lakes are where the bigger ‘gills are. 6-10 feet of water seems to be the ticket. Stop in for the up-to-the-minute fishing report 7 days a week!

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) The crappies are biting on waxies and minnows. They are suspended in 16 to 20 feet of water, in their normal winter haunts. A few lake trout in the 40 feet of water range with spoons tipped with minnows. We have lots of good ice yet.

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) Up the north shore, guys have been fishing from the shoreline with looper bugs and blown up crawlers of the bottom and catching loopers and cohos. Pike lake perch fishing between 10 am and 3 pm is the best. A lot of nice ones are being caught, along with a few crappies out there too. Fish Lake has to still be the best place for sunnies and crappies, the bluegills are really nice sized. And they have been getting crappies pretty much all over on the smaller area lakes.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) Shore casting has been good; guys are catching loopers and coho in front of river mouths and points. They are hitting the Lester, French and in front of McQuad’s landing and have been having some especially good fishing. They are getting fish off the bottom with inflated crawlers, and on the surface with looper bugs or waxies. Or casting spoons and getting some lake trout. Crappies fishing in the harbor has been good too.

ELY-Babe's Bait and Tackle, 451 W. Sheridan St., Ely, MN, first business on the left as you are entering town of Ely from the west on Hwy 169, www.babesbait.com (218-365-6930) The last weekend of Lake trout fishing was very rewarding for those who ventured out on area lakes in near perfect weather conditions. Good numbers of trout were taken in 40-65 feet of water, with fish being caught all the way up to the ice. Now we are forced to turn our attention toward panfish as all other species are closed. The crappie bite is steadily getting better. Try small minnows or jigs tipped with either waxies or soft trailers in 12-20 feet of water.

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) The panfish are biting really well on the south end of Chisago in 10 to 12 feet of water with waxies or eurolarvae.

GREY EAGLE - Nancy's Bait & Tackle, Rex, 4 miles east of the Rock Tavern on Big Birch Lake, 4 miles west of Upsala (320-285-2405) Big Swan Lake was giving up some nice sunnies on the north end last weekend. We have the big jumbo freshwater shrimp. Guys are heading out to Osakis. Also try Moose Lake and the north end of Long Lake. Crappies are starting to bite on Maple Lake too.

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176) It is finally feels like the middle of March! The last few days have seen high temps close to 50 degrees, the snow is melting and the panfish are moving into shallow water. The reports have still been scattered but I am hearing of more people catching fish now. Sunfish have been running in 6-12 feet of water during the day. Crappies still range from 12 feet to 35 feet. Perch on Leech Lake have been pretty consistent in 8-12 feet of water. There has been some decent activity in Walker Bay, fish from First Point to Moore's Point. It might be worth trying Cedar Point as well. Travel on the main lake should be getting easier as the snow settles and the drifts melt away. There should be more people moving around the Goose Island area and into Sucker Bay as the weather continues to warm. Note: Worthy Sunfish spots are Pleasant Lake, Sanburn, Ox Yoke, and Lindsay (if you don't mind only keeping five Sunfish). Crappies have been active on Wabedo and Birch Lake. One other option for perch is Woman Lake. There have been a few people heading out there the past few days. Straight out from the old public access on Cty. 5 is usually a good spot this time of year.

KABETOGAMA-NAMAKAN - Gateway Store, Phil Hart, US Hwy 53 & Co Rd 122, 30 miles south of Int'l Falls-Canadian border, kabfishingreport.com (218-875-2121) Ice fishing still on many peoples agendas, every weekend anglers appear with their game plans for border walleyes or area lake crappies. Our ice surfaces to date still solid, very little if any slush or standing water, featuring warm days and cool nights. Anglers are finding slim pickins’ for both big game fish and panfish, but ice fishing offers a piece of mind, worth the effort. In past seasons the crappie bite kicks in as the ice gets sloppy and pike move into more shallow bays as they prepare to spawn. Lots of ice fishing real estate awaits anglers for at least a few more weeks. Snowmobile trails are ride-able, but showing heavy signs of wear, lake trails in good shape for wrapping up the season or transportation to your fishin’ hole.

LAKE OF THE WOODS - Area Tourism Bureau, Denelle Hovde , near Junction of Hwy 11 and Hwy 172 in Baudette, www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com (1-800-382-FISH) Houses can remain on Lake of the Woods until March 31st, so there is still time for a last minute winter adventure. Fishing remains constant around the reefs of Garden Island, Knight Island, and Bridges Island. The shallow sand around Pine Island has started to produce some trophy walleye as well. There has been some monster northern caught lately along with walleye, sauger, and perch. Ice conditions remain stable, and the plowed road is in good shape. The Rainy River is open at Loman and will soon open at Indus, Birchdale, and Franz Jevne. Walleye season is open until April 14th, so now's the time to plan your spring fishing trip on the Rainy River.

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077)

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421) Try Peltier for panfish, they have been getting a few. Also for panfish, try it on Lake Jane.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service, www.kuduksguideservice.com (320-630-1761) Got some nice crappies out in Isle Bay, things weren’t fast and furious, but they are moving in there. Anne Lake has been good for panfish, and also out on Knife. Also heard some good reports on Shakopee.

MILLE LACS LAKE - Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295) Now is the time to Ice fish Mille Lacs. The spring temps allow anglers the enjoyment of open ice fishing (no portables needed) after the cold winter we've had it's great to be outside again. Some of the best action is yet to come. Jumbo perch action started to heat up. Anglers have been having there best luck on Red larvae or crappie minnows in 28-32 feet at the gravel to mud transitions. Two Mile, Flamingo and the Hennepin Island areas seem to be doing the best. The big crappies down in Isle Bay have also started. Anglers on the ice by 6 am are doing the best. Sunset has also been good. Crappie minnows are the key. Remember your 2007 angling licenses are good till April 30th this year. Anglers are still driving on the ice. As always check in with your favorite resort before accessing the ice. Good luck and hope to see you soon.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Johnson's Portside, Kelly or Steve, 1 mile north of Isle on Hwy 47 SE side of the lake, www.johnsonsportside.com (320-676-3811) The perch are moving in, you can find them in shallower waters, moving into the bays, try jigging them in 12-14 feet, from early light to about 3 pm, using a fat head minnow or even a crappie minnow. Then its time to hit crappies. Yes, its crappie time again. With the warmer temps you'll be sure to hit 'em in the bays. Try crappie minnows, waxies, and larvae in 9-13 feet and what a blast it can be. Already a few reports of limits being caught.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) Lots of reports of panfish biting around the area, try the north side of Sarah and on Minnetonka in Phelps Bay and some sunnies on the south side of Medicine. We are stringing line on your summer reels now, so bring them in and get ready for the early ice-out.

NISSWA - Dave's Sportland Bait & Tackle, Jason, 2 miles south of Nisswa at the Intersection of Hwy 371 and Cty Rd 77, next to Schaefer's Foods, www.sportlandbait.com (218-963-2401)

LAKE OSAKIS – Buck Point Resort on the N.W. corner of the lake, Brad, 115 miles west of Twin Cities on I-94W, take Hwy 3 North out of Osakis to Hwy 10 West, www.lakeosakisresorts.com (320-859-2530)

PELICAN RAPIDS - Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (218-863-5701) Good sunnie fishing, coming off Lida and Lizzie. The ice is good; the edges are good so we have no problems getting out. Not hearing much for tulibees, they are catching a few. The numbers seem to be down. But the panfish bite is the story. We have moved the store 2 blocks south. We still have a few good weeks of ice fishing that I can see, so get up here and fish.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) Ily in the day near Birch Point and later in the day near American Narrows. Big pike are hitting on large minnows near Rainy Lake City and some crappie are also being caught. Border water regulations allow for a pre-spawn walleye season on Rainy Lake and Rainy River, however, the river launches are not cleared and open yet. Snow will soon be cleared though, given the warming trend we’re seeing. River fishing is usually very good in the spring and includes an option to fish for sturgeon. Snowmobile trails are in great shape as the season winds down. There is a good base and good ice on the lakes yet, but this may be the last weekend for any serious riding. You will find the latest reports on the International Voyageur Snowmobile Club website www.ridetheborder.com Cross country ski trails are open, groomed and tracked and snowshoe trails within the Voyageurs National Park are open. Snowshoes and skis are available at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center Wednesdays-through-Sundays.

RED WING - Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) Guys are doing well on the walleyes and sauger up by the dam. They are using Ike’s hair jig and a minnow. Stop in for the latest and to pick up the hot color jig.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Anglers have continued to catch sunfish on Clearwater, Pelican, Little Rock and Sugar Lakes. Fishermen are downsizing their favorite jigs this time of year, some anglers are fishing with a hook as small as a size 16. Eurolarvae, freshwater shrimp and wax worms are the preferred baits. The new jigs with glow tails are also working well. Crappies are still providing action on Julia and Pearl Lakes. Local anglers have done well on perch at Mille Lacs with red eurolarvae and red glow jig with a glow green tail. Other lakes to consider would be Osakis and Lake Alexander. We have fresh water shrimp in stock and sell it at bulk quantities also. New fishing equipment is being put out on the shelves almost daily, and we have one Eskimo quick flip 3 fishhouse left and priced to sell. We also have strike master auger extensions in stock. We also can accommodate any of your MN DNR license needs.

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Getting some panfish on Lake Washington, and they are getting some crappies of Big Jeff.

SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA - Axel's Tackle Box, Axel, 2 blocks north of Hwy 60 on Hwy 13, next to Casey’s, on Lake Sakatah in Waterville, www.axelstacklebox.com (507-362-4444) Lake Tetonka is doing well giving up sunnies and the always welcomed perch. A customer of mine stopped yesterday and showed me his catch, WOW, all nice jumbos, caught in the bay near the DNR. Sunnies have been caught using spikes either red or white and have noticed they are moving to shallow waters.

UPPER RED LAKE - White Birch Resort, Monte Sharbono, vacation@whitebirchresort.net (218-835-4552) The roads going out are still in good shape and we are hearing more and more reports of the crappies being caught out there. 2-3 a night isn’t unusual, with a few getting on them and bringing in a limit. The walleyes are biting like mad too for some catch and release action. The crappie bite is mostly at night.

WACONIA - Mase's In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm, www.intownemarina.com (952-442-2096) In Towne Marine will be closed as of March 2nd until the ice is out.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids www.mnfishingpros.com (218-327-2312) There is still plenty of ice on Big Winnie and getting around has improved with the warmer weather. There are a few areas on the lake where there is water on top of the ice, so make sure that caution is taken. The perch bite continues to be good, but moving around and staying mobile is still the key. There definitely have been different areas of the lake producing on different days and at varying depths. Some anglers are doing well in 10-15 feet, while others are catching perch 22-26 feet. They definitely seem to be on the move and don't get hung up fishing where you may have gone 3-6 weeks ago. There will be a good shallow bite in about 2-3 weeks that will last until ice out. The best areas this last week were on Bowen's Flats near the edge of the River Channel, Tamarac Bay, the North Humps, the tip of Raven's Point, and the Mud Hole off Musky Bay. A Forage Minnow Spoon has been best with a couple waxies, or a chub head. Big Cutfoot has still been kicking out some nice crappies with some up to 13 inches being reported. The hole off Williams Narrows and McAvity Bay have been the best areas to try. Make sure you stop and see the Minnesota Fishing Pros Guide Booth (#938) at the Northwest Sport Show, April 2-6, and let’s talk fishing and find a day with Minnesota's top rated guide group.