Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

January 11, 2008

ANNANDALE - B.J.'s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses, www.bjsbait.com (320-274-3730) With the recent warm weather last week, the sunnies, crappies and northerns have been biting better. The crappies are out in the 50 foot hole and the sunnies are biting out front here, and pretty much all over. The ice is about 16 inches thick. The walleye bite is a bit on the slow side.

ANOKA - Action's Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10, www.actionsfishing.com (763-422-4890) Green Lake has been the spot for crappies, out in about 24 foot water. Pelican Lake has been good for sunnies, as well as Peltier too. Crooked Lake has been good for crappies and walleyes at night. Blue Lake has been good for both sunnies and crappies. And Round Lake has had a good sunnie bite going too.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) The walleyes have been hitting on Ottertail, the reports have been that they are biting shallow, in about 8 to 14 feet of water. Some have also been fishing out in the 30 to 35 foot water. Most are using fatheads or small to medium sucker minnows. They have been getting a few perch out there too. On Battle, a few walleyes have been picked up here and there, and some crappies too, in about 15 – 20 feet of water on minnows and waxies. As far as sunnies go, Deer, East Lost, Blanch, Dead, and Clitheral are all good spots to try. Also, they have been getting some crappies on Ten Mile and West Leaf Lakes.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) Lake Plantagenet has been good for perch and walleyes, out in the 20 to 30 foot water range. Lake Bemidji has been kind of slow, but some walleyes are being picked up in about 30 feet of water. We haven’t heard any good crappie reports around. The ice is about 12 to 13 inches… the slush can be a problem though so still be careful.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) There have been a fair amount of people out here since the holidays, and they are reporting a good perch bite out on Blackduck, and a fair bite on Upper Red Lake. Some good reports of walleyes on Round Lake. For panfish, your best bets would have to be Gilstad, Pimusche and Rabideau. Some have been driving out on Blackduck now, but still check the ice if you are heading out on your own, not all is safe.

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) The fish are biting well all over in general. On Chisago it has been good, and a few are driving. Try from the eagles nest to the a-frame, where they are getting sunnies during the day and crappies in the evening. Kroon Lake has also been producing out in 23 feet of water. South Lindstrom has been good for crappies in front of the hospital. And South Center off Pancake Island has also been hot. The walleyes in have been biting in the channel between Center and Lindstrom. Sunrise landing will be closed for a few weeks.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) The best walleye activity has taken place just before sunset during that “magic hour” on Pelican and Serpent in 20-28 feet of water. Jigging has turned the most fish, but a few have been caught deadsticking as well. Lots of sunfish being caught on area lakes in 10-16 feet of water, but the bigger sunfish have been caught in shallower water in the weeds, 6-9 feet. Crappies have been biting, but are a little finicky and require some finesse. Look for the best action to be in deep water, with 26-32 feet being the best areas. For some bigger fish, check out Bay or Cedar. Most pike fishermen have been doing well fishing around the “crappie holes” with tip-ups and shiners, as well as on the weed flats in 8-13 feet. Small shiners, big shiners, doesn’t seem to matter. For some steady pike action, give some of the bays on Serpent a shot. Spearers have seen fewer fish as of late, but hope that another change in weather will get them moving again.

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) Held’s Guide Service (218-820-0989) People have been getting out on all the lakes now, there is still some slush around, but most have 10 to 14 inches ice. Pelican has been giving up some walleyes early in the morning and late in the evening on shiners, or jigging fatheads. A few northerns have been getting picked up on the weedlines all day. The crappies continue to bite in all their old haunts, late evening has been the best. Small glow jigs and minnows have been working best on the crappies. Gull, North Long and Pelican have been good lakes for walleyes.

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) The ice has been freezing up good on area lakes. Fish Lake by the dam, guys have been getting there now and are seeing a nice crappie bite and a few walleyes. Pike Bay has had a good perch bite going and a few nice walleyes and crappies have been caught too. On Grand Lake there have been a few guys driving out now on about 15 inches of ice, there are two roads plowed there. A few are having some luck on Caribou Lake for crappies and the St. Louis River by Barker’s Island has been giving up some nice walleyes in about 10 feet of water in the sand. On Lake Superior, a few are still fishing off the shore at the French and Lester Rivers and they have been getting a few trout and salmon.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) We have ice in the bay now, 9 to 12 inches, with no slush. The walleye fishing out of Duluth has been hot. Park point and Barkers Island have been good areas, jigging chubby darters, frosties and demons with shiners or suckers. The bite is better generally in the morning, and then the evening. Eelpout have been biting in Spirit Lake or up by Boy Scout Landing. Ice is pretty good there too, with a little bit of slush. Inland fishing has been good for the people going.

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 (218-365-6930) While ice conditions remain questionable in many areas the fishermen are not to be deterred. Walleye fishermen are continuing to catch good numbers of fish, but most tend to be on the small side. Without a good solid ice base it remains unsafe to do thorough scouting to find the larger ones. Pike fishermen are picking up some toothy giants out of the shallows which tend to have the best ice in the protected basins. The crappie bite seems to be the best bet and some fish in the 12-14" range are being taken. Stop in at Babes for up to date fishing reports and the latest ice conditions. Babes is "the best little bait shop in Ely". Gear up at Babes for the upcoming Lake trout season.

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) Clear Lake has been putting out some walleyes; try in the 18-22 foot range with a jigging spoon tipped with fatheads. On Green Lake they have been getting crappies; bigger ones have been coming on bigger minnows. They have also been getting some northerns on tip ups with bigger suckers. Big Marine has a decent walleye bite going out there; best right before the evening, 3-7 pm has been the bite on Forest Lake. Stop in and get your bait and find out where the hot bite is. Also stop in and get your tickets early for the Fishapalooza happening February 16th. Buy them before January 27th and get a deal.

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) Crappie bite has been good on Big Swan Lake and some sunnies too. Long Lake by the supper club has a good panfish bite going. Also try Moose Lake. They are getting some nice big sunnies on Mound Lake. On Big Birch Lake they are catching crappies and walleyes. They have been getting a few walleyes on Grey Eagle, and some sunnies and crappies off Diamond Point on Sauk Lake. We still have shiners both gold and silver, and all other minnows. Some guys are driving out to where they are fishing, but they are closer to shore, they are not heading out all over the lakes. The safest bet is still to stick to 4 wheelers.

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176) Walleye fishing on Leech Lake remains the best bet in the area. A jig and fathead fished on the humps in Walker Bay in the evening has been productive. There were quite a few portables scattered around the bay yesterday. About half of the anglers were on foot, the others on snowmobiles or ATV's. The main lake has also seen some action. Perch during the day and Walleyes in the early morning and evening. Most spots on the main lake have 10-12" of ice. The ice on the smaller lakes have also improved. The fishing on the small lakes has been decent. Now that there is less slush it is easier to move around and find the bigger panfish. Pleasant Lake has been good during the day. Waxworms for the sunnies and a small sucker minnow on a tip-up for some Northern action.

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) This past week was quite mild, temperature-wise, above the norm for January. The warm temperatures will hopefully liquefy the slush reducing the insulation value and as a result we will have better ice conditions for travelers. Anglers and spearing folks are having limited action in the shallow areas, this suggests that its time to move a little deeper which is typical for this time of year. Glow jigs, peepers, eye drops are a few of the small jigs meeting with success. Small fatheads or rainbows your best bait choice. Depths in the 30’ range will produce walleyes, perch and sauger. No crappie action to report, however pike are roaming mid-depths, 12-20 feet in search of baitfish. Light suckers working well for all species, especially pike in this depth range. Land snowmobile trails holding up well as of this writing, lake trails still day to day as to what’s being staked. Reports coming in that Namakan has lots of good sound ice with much less slush than it’s a joining lakes. Kabetogama Lake is stated for safe travel, we expect Ash River to Crane Lake to possibly get staked next week.

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) Fishing on Lake of the Woods has moved to deeper water. Some houses are now being moved to the 30-33 feet range, where a more consistent walleye and sauger bite can be found throughout the day. For those anglers in shallower water the walleye bite continues in the morning and evening in 20-25 feet. Bright colors are still your best bet, pink, green, gold, and glows have been working very well. Ice on the Rainy River is almost a foot thick. The current seems to be slowing so fishing closer to the bottom with a ½ oz jig has been working great. Pink glow jigs seem to be the best choice for catching walleye. The Northwest Angle and Islands area 2008 Ice Fishing season is off to a great start! There is over a foot of good ice and almost a foot of new snow. The Walleye bite on the Northwest Angle and Islands area reefs is producing excellent sized eating fish in the 16" to 19" class range with anlgers filling out on their limits. Also many beautiful larger class fish in the 26" to 28" range have been caught in the last few days. The Northwest Angle and Islands area of Lake of the Woods is an excellent series of reefs to fish with water depths of 17 to 30 feet deep. The bottom structure is rocky in nature and produces a bounty of fish for a tasty fish fry. The Can-Am Snowtrail is also staked, marked, groomed, and ready to ride. NO PASSPORTS ARE NEEDED UNTIL JUNE OF 2009!!

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077) Ice fishing is going full guns right now. Perch and walleyes are biting on Sand and Pine Points, minnow and pearl jig. Panfish in Shingobee bay, there are a lot of houses out on Walker Bay but I have not heard much about the bite there yet. Snowmobiling trials are in great shape also so come on up fish and have fun!

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421) White Bear has been hot for crappies, out in 12-20 feet of water; some of them range from ¾ to a pound. The pike action on Big Marine has been good. They are also starting to get on the St. Croix in Bayport for crappies. The have been picking up some walleyes on Phalen right before dark.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service (320-630-1761) Guys are driving out now in wigwam bay, and getting a few perch and walleyes. And some guys are getting a few out on the mud, 4 wheelers only out there. Up on the north end they have been picking up some nice walleyes. Crappies and sunnies are biting on Pine Lake. And they have been getting some crappie action on Ten Mile Lake too. Also try Anne Lake for some panfish action.

MILLE LACS LAKE - Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295)

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 New Year at Mille Lacs is starting out "with-out" a BANG. The Resorts we are in contact with are starting to gear up for the weekend, most are not ready to open the roads to vehicle travel yet. The warm spell coming will have little positive effect on the ice, but what we have will stay put (a positive for the snow cover). The rentals are on the lake and I am sure there are some available for this weekend. (Check the resort page for web sites.) The fishing reports are coming in at a snail's pace around here. There are a few successful anglers out there and they seem to be the ones working to get to more spots. The reality of it is we are only fishing 20% of the lake areas in a normal winter. Anglers need to get to the "spot on the spot" and the only way is by ATV or better yet sleds. We are hearing a somewhat consistent shallow bite for perch and walleyes 11-18 feet. Perch in the daytime and walleyes right at dark. What is the infatuation with the flats this winter? Most of the reports we get from the deep are negative and we don't send perchers out there until Feb. I think it's the toys that tell you where you are and the anglers that want to prove it. UPDATE: Well it looks like we made it through the warm temps and the threat of damaging snow, damaging to the ice that is...The only thing that the warm temps did was settle the snow a bit and make the ice stronger, now that the temps have fallen. I've contacted several resorts and they are talking much more positive that just a week or so ago. As far as the bite goes... well its a bit tougher than we may want, there is a lot of little bait fish swimming around. But after talking with some resort owners the perch bite has been fair to better. Both deep and shallow reports, 14-16 feet on rocks from the hours of 6am to 3pm, Walleyes? I would keep the same depth, in the evening hours from say dusk to a couple hours after dark, maybe try using a bigger bait, like a shiner, and a bigger jigging spoon, say a 3 or 4, it may be a way to get their attention. We rent Aqua-Vus!
Brandt's - 12 plus inches, plowed out 1-1/4 miles, now letting vehicles drive out, please drive slow!! 320-532-3674
Lyback's -13-15 inches - plowed to Banana, Spider, TUNDRA and working to the gravel where there is 12-13 inches allowing 1/2 tons, wheel houses with ATV only, 320-676-8740
Angler's Paradise - 13-14 inches in the bay road staked to Malone Island, and SMALL CARS ALLOWED
Fisherman's Wharf - plowed to Shaws, 2 miles, and big point out 12 plus
Hunter's Point - staking roads, to the Boot, and Blue Jug, anywhere from 8-12 inches, ATV and snowmobile only, 320-676-3227
Mac's Twin Bay - PLOWED ROADS TO A,B,C,D and going to E, gravel reports of 12, now allowing small cars, please drive slowly! 320-676-8709

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) Battery has been good. Getting some walleyes out in deeper water, in the 30 foot area, it’s been mostly an evening bite on a glow jig. There has been a good daytime northern bite with tip ups and suckers. The panfish bite on the smaller bays on tonka has been good. The ice is 6 to 12 inches. Despite all the vehicles out there, please still be careful.

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) Stop in at Fisherman’s Corner bait shop for some more up to date reports or call 320-859-2181.

PELICAN RAPIDS - Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (218-863-5701) The snow has settled on the lakes, and guys are moving around a little better. Lots of people have been out on Lida, Lizzie, and Olaf. The walleyes have been biting on Lida, Pelican and Prairie. Lida, Lizzie and Crystal have been good for northerns. The warm weather has settled the snow to where you can get all over with 4 wheelers now. Now when we get some cold weather before snow, we’ll get some good ice.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) Portable gear and snowmobiles continue to be the only way to fish Rainy Lake. Some very nice Walleye and Northern Pike have been pulled through the ice around American Narrows, Black Bay and Cranberry Bay. The best bite is in water 25-to-35 feet deep right now. Be sure to check ice depth frequently and avoid areas with current. There are pockets of slush even where the ice is thick enough to support a sled or atv. Snowmobile trails are in pretty good shape, with just a few spots not groomed. The green trail has been staked on Black Bay, it leads to the Kabetogama community and is staked to Ash River. The other lake trails remain closed due to thin ice. Some portions of land trails have not been groomed because low areas haven’t frozen enough to support the groomer. Check with the International Voyageurs snowmobile club site at www.ridetheborder.com for the latest conditions.

RED WING - Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) The boats are out again at the dam and they are getting some fish, and out on the ice edge in Baypoint park guys are getting walleyes there too. Small glow jigs tipped with minnows seems to be the trick. Alma, WI has been good for panfish too.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Walleye fishermen are catching fish at Little Rock, Lake Alexander and Clearwater. Shiners, fatheads with jigs, plain hooks or jigging spoons are catching the fish. The sunfish have also been biting on Julia, Alexander and Sullivan. Jigs, and waxworms or eurolarvae and fresh water shrimp are catching the fish. Crappies are also biting on Pearl Lake, Rice, Kings and Julia lakes. Crappie minnows, eurolarvae, freshwater shrimp and some of the bottled baits are being used. We have a tank full of nice sized fresh water shrimp in stock. Our grand prize winners for our fall deer program were drawn at Christmas; Urban Frank of St. Cloud won the .243 Savage rifle with scope. Mary Anne Iten of Foley won the Parker compound bow. Stop in our store we have a lot of new products in stock.

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Washington Lake has been giving up lots of crappies… the size is a limiting factor as you have to weed through them. On Shields, the sunnies are biting, they are ok size. Lake Wita, the walleyes are hit and miss, they are getting a few.

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 Francis is giving up panfish but they tend to be a bit smaller then normal. Area northern "harpooners" are getting a few also on Sakatah. Check for up to date info on my website: www.axelstackel.com.

UPPER RED LAKE - White Birch Resort, Monte Sharbono, vacation@whitebirchresort.net (218-835-4552) The walleye bite has been slow and they also seem to be biting very light. A spring bobber will help you detect a bite. The crappies have been showing up a little more now. Not to many are being caught but there are some around. The pike are still roaming the big waters and are hitting tip-ups with big shiners or sucker minnows. The hot colors still seem to be glow with red, and chartreuse. The ice still seems to be about the same, 14 to 16 inches in most areas. With warm temps during the day the now heavy snow banks have cracked the ice under them allowing water to come to the surface and flood the edges of some of the roads. Stay away from the banks and don't try and cross them. Please Do Not set-up on any roads. West Wind has a main road now that goes out 5 miles, and there are roads out on the south side too.

WACONIA - Mase's In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm, www.intownemarina.com (952-442-2096) Last weekend was great… there was a good bite out there. We had a 2 pound crappie caught out there, and some nice walleyes too were brought in from about 10 to 18 feet of water. Waconia Bay has been good. And now guys are getting out to West Center Reef and Pillsbury Reef. They are able to drive out a little bit, check in for current conditions.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids www.mnfishingpros.com (218-327-2312) The weather has been decent this past week and there were quite a few anglers on Big Winnie. There is still some slush, but not as bad as weeks previously. There are a few more roads plowed but caution must be your first priority. There also have been a few ridges popping up, and that's not real unusual for this time of year. Anglers using tip ups and 3-5 inch shiners and sucker minnows have been catching nice northerns off Raven's Point, Sugar Bay, and Bowen's Flats. The perch fishing has been pretty decent and many anglers are still finding them fairly shallow in Tamarac Bay, Haubrich's Bay, and Stony Point have been real consistent. Smaller Forage Minnow Spoons with euro larvae or a small chub head have been better for the larger perch, and an occasional walleye mixed in. Walleyes have been good the last 2 hours of daylight on many of the off-shore structures. Good places to start are the humps 21/2-31/2 miles West-Southwest of Highbanks resort. Drill 8-10 holes on each structure till you find active fish. The crappie and bluegill fishing has been fair on Big and Little Cutfoot with small spoons and euro larvae the best choice. Best depths seem to be 20-27 feet and you may have to drill a lot of holes to find them. Be safe out there and read Outdoors weekly in the next few weeks on updates from the 2008 Fishing Roundtable.