Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

January 18, 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 making more ice, that’s the good news. Fishing has been a little slower due to the weather. They are getting a few sunnies out in front on eurolarvae, crappies and a few walleyes out in the deep hole. We look for the action to pick up once the cold snap is over. We did hear that Pleasant Lake by Annandale had a good crappie bite going.

ANOKA - Action's Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10, www.actionsfishing.com (763-422-4890) Reports from this past weekend were not very good. Jake Rupert caught a huge northern on a large golden shiner on Crooked Lake. Most of the fishermen we talked to had little or no luck. Maybe the coming cold weather will trigger some action.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) For walleyes the best lakes have been Ottertail, Battle and Stalker Lakes in anywhere from 15 to 30 feet of water. Look for some structure. The crappies have been biting better on West Battle, South Turtle, and Stalker Lakes in depths from 15 to 20 feet using crappie minnows or waxies. For sunnies try Blanch or South Turtle, fishing off the first shore break, in 10 to 15 feet of water. The best reports for northerns have been on Ottertail or South Turtle using tip ups with big sucker minnows.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) The fishing has been picking up out there. Bemidji is giving up some walleyes and perch in 20-30 feet of water. Sounds like the northerns are going good on Irving, in about 20 feet of water. There is still a good panfish and northern bite on Grace. Plantagenet is still going pretty good, nice sized perch out there.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) Blackduck has had a good walleye bite going, but they are smaller. Moving around will get you on some perch. Upper Red Lake has been slower, the better reports have been coming out of Jr’s and Morts on the south shore.

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) They are driving all over the lakes now, guys are able to spread out and that is enabling people to catch more fish. The sunnies are still going good. On South Lindstrom out in front of the hospital the crappies have been biting and Kroon is starting to turn on. North center has been good and some good pike there on the north end. The south end of Chisago is always good for some panfish action, although the size is small and you really have to weed through them. On South Center, they are picking up a few eyes off the deep hole between Needle Point, 30-35 feet of water. We have some shiners, so stop in.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Walleye activity has slowed this past week, although a few fish are still being caught on Pelican and Serpent. More and more the bite has changed to dead-sticking with a small shiner or rainbow chub. Crappies, sunfish and the occasional pike can be caught in the same areas on many area lakes on teardrop jigs tipped with waxies or a crappie minnow. For best results for pike, throw out a tip-up with a shiner or heavy pike sucker and suspend the bait about halfway down in 12-18 feet of water just off the weedline as the fish seem to be taking smaller minnows than normal and are now cruising the edges as opposed to the weedy flats. Lake trout opener was slow for most anglers, although a few fish were caught on Big Trout on tube jigs in 60-80 FOW.

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) Held’s Guide Service (218-820-0989) Crappie action has been steady on the weedlines on Little Pine and Daggett Lake, while walleyes continue to produce in 18'-25' of water on breaklines on Whitefish. Best bet for northerns; throw a sucker minnow or big shiner up in the weeds in 6'-10' of water. Ice still tends to vary- be safe and have fun fishing!

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) The ice is frozen up good, and the slush is all gone around here. Up by the Gunflint, they got more snow so they are still dealing with slush. Pike Lake has been good for perch in 15 feet of water, and they have been getting some walleyes to in about 18 to 21 feet of water. Good reports of loopers being caught from shore by French and Lester Rivers. Crappie action has been good at Caribou out in the deep hole in about 20 feet of water, 5 feet off the bottom, mostly evening bite. And a lot of the little lakes up hwy 53 that have had some good crappie action too look for them in the deep holes. Northerns are biting on Rice Lake, good action, a lot of 5 to 8 pounders.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) Good ice everywhere, warm weather made the slush and snow go away. The harbor in Duluth has been hot, hot, hot. Some nice 24-27 inch walleyes have been caught off Barkers Island. And on the upper river off Boy Scout landing they have been getting some good walleye action. Some are still getting out trolling bomber baits and ripsticks still, gold purple are the colors, and doing really good.

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) A great trout opener for those fortunate to be out on the Ely area lakes last weekend. Many nice Lakers were being caught on Burntside Lake as well as Rainbows from Miners, Brookies from Mound, and Splake from Tofte. The action didn't stop there however, as a number of hefty northern pike were laid out on the ice as well. Shagawa Lake continues to give up some nice walleyes and jumbo perch. This is gearing up to be a fantastic ice season this year. Stop in at Babe's Bait shop for up to the minute lake reports.

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) No snow on the lakes, so this cold will really do the job. Fishing has been pretty good, panfish going good. Crappies and some walleyes have been biting on Clear. There has been a night bite out on Big Marine for crappies and walleyes. Forest Lake walleyes have been biting on first and third breaks in 15-25 feet of water. The crappies have been biting on the spot in the two deep holes on second. The crappies and sunnies are a little deeper now and are biting mainly in the mornings and evenings. The south end of Chisago has still been good but the size is small, you’ll have to weed them out.

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) Some walleyes were caught on Cedar Lake by Upsala last week, and out on Mound, but the Mound eyes were smaller. And quit a few eyes were caught on Big Birch last weekend too. They have been catching sunnies on Long Lake by the hub supper club, some pretty good size. And sunnies on Big Sauk Lake off diamond point. On St. Mary’s Lake, they were getting sun fish in 30 to 35 feet of water. The crappie bite has been the best at St. Mary’s in the deep water. The north end of Big Swan Lake in the deep hole has been good too. On Kings Lake by Freeport they are also getting some crappies. Northern pike action has been fairly good on all area lakes. Long Lake and Pine Lake has been good for spearing. We still have shiners and rainbows.

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176) The best fishing in the area has without a doubt been on Leech Lake. The lake has made a great comeback from the past few years of slow fishing. I did not talk to a discouraged angler on Leech Lake last weekend. Walleyes are still biting on the humps in Walker Bay, most fish are 12"-18" or 23"+. Do not overlook the morning bite. Walleyes have been active during the first few hours of daylight with the perch picking up just as the 'eyes start to slow down. The best perch fishing has been found on the 10'-12' sandy/weed flats. Pine Point and Moore's Point were two great spots over the weekend. A jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head works best. The report for the smaller lakes in the area have been on the quiet side. Crappies are biting but seem sluggish. A couple of groups reported catching crappies in 20-25 feet of water, fishing only 5 feet below the ice. Birch Lake had some decent panfish reports over the weekend. Fish the north side of the lake during the middle of the day with a small jig and waxworm. Woman Lake has also seen some perch and walleye 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) Pike appear to be moving deeper for spearing and angling. The best pike bite for tip-ups is 18-25’. Those still spearing should go as deep as possible. The walleye and its related species seem to favor either side of 30’. A couple good accessible areas at the entrance to Ash River from Kabetogama. The deep structures out from Lost Lake and reef edges in the 30’ range. Small glow jigs tipped with minnows seem to be the most popular offering with some action on horizontal jigs. Ice conditions vary, but Kabetogama and Namakan to Sandpoint have pretty-well traveled ice. Use extreme caution if in an unraveled area. Trout anglers going into Mukoda and Little Trout Lake be forewarned you can only fish with artificial baits. That means no ciscoes or any other form of live bait. This regulation in force as a result of the spiny water flea. Snowmobiling on our land trails is excellent from the border south.

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) The fish are on the move to deeper water here at Lake of the Woods. Houses are being moved to the 30-40 foot range. Limits of walleye and sauger are being caught throughout the day using frozen shiners and chubs. The ice is at about 20 inches thick and in great condition, the Big Traverse Snowmobile trail across the lake has been staked and groomed as well. Ice on the Rainy River is at about 12 -14 inches, fishing has been good in 18-20 feet of water. The bite seems to be stronger right off the bottom. The Northwest Angle and Islands is having an excellent winter season. The reefs south of Oak Island have given up numerous keepers. Fishing off the bottom in 22-26 feet of water using a chartreuse jig has been working well. Remember you DO NOT need a passport to visit the Northwest Angle.

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077) Perch and walleyes are biting on Sand and Pine Points, minnow and pearl jig. Panfish in Shingobee bay. Call us for an update!

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421) They have been doing better on the St. Croix, getting some walleyes, sauger and crappie out in about 30 feet of water. Most of the lakes doing ok, on Bald Eagle they have been getting lots of small walleyes, DeMontreville has been doing good. On Phalen a few crappies and walleyes are being caught here and there. White Bear has been good for crappies.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service (320-630-1761) The perch have been biting at Barnacles, some 12 inchers right off the break. Looking to get a road plowed out to Sherman’s flats from Northstar Resort, they have been catching a lot of 14 to 16 inch walleyes out there. On Shakopee, they have been having good luck on northerns and panfish in the evening. Anne Lake and Isle Bay have been good for crappies. In about 10 feet water in Isle Bay, 7 feet down.

MILLE LACS LAKE - Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295) Thanks to the recent below zero temps ice conditions on the big lake are finally starting to improve. Most resorts on the NE side of Mille Lacs have their rental houses out and have begun to pull customers houses. Most resorts have roads to the first sand breaks, shallow rock piles and mud flats. Most of the roads are in good condition with few bridges out. Most of the resorts are allowing vehicle travel, but are stressing staying on plowed roads as ice thickness varies where the snow has not been removed. Walleye and perch reports have been sporadic. Some doing well and others catching 1 or 2 fish. The mud flats seem to be holding the most fish, anglers are also seeing fish on the shallow rocks. Everyone is seeing plenty of walleye the problem is lots of bait fish. Walleye anglers are doing best using shiners on set lines and jigging a fathead on the other line. Perch anglers are having luck with freshwater shrimp as many of the jumbos caught are spitting up shrimp. 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) 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 it's 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.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) Northerns still doing well, the walleyes have slowed up, and the panfish are sporadic. Try Arcola Bridge and Grays Bay, out in 15 foot water with suckers for northerns. For panfish, try Black Lake or Sarah.

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) The fishing continues to be on fire. Walleyes are hitting pretty good on Gull and North Long. The quality of the fish is really nice too. I'd say it 50-50, keepers to smaller ones. Lots of 16-18 inchers out there this year. The best fishing has been along the weedlines in 14-22 feet of water. Some days a shiner minnow on a set line is the ticket, the next day they want jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head. The crappie fishing is really starting to pick up on the Gull Chain. The best reports are coming from Margaret, Upper Gull, and Roy Lake. There are also good reports from Wilson Bay on the south end. The pike fishing has been decent for anglers using tip ups and sucker minnows. 10-16 feet has been best. Most fish have been running 3-5 pounds with a few in the 10-12 pound range. For sunfish stick to Nisswa Lake.

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) North Lida has been good for sunnies and crappies. For walleyes, look deeper, out in around 30 foot water. Pelican and Star have been some of the better lakes. On Prairie, guys are moving around better… getting some good tip up fishing. Ice fishing in general is looking pretty good around after the cold snap. Ice doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) A few more fish houses have appeared on the lake, but portable gear continues to be the best bet. Anglers have been catching walleye in 25 to 35 feet of water in the area of American Narrows, near Rainy Lake City and in several areas further east. A pink jib and minnow combination has been working pretty well.northern pike can be caught in Black Bay and Cranberry Bay. The little thaw last week didn’t have much effect on the snowmobile trails. Groomers have been out to tidy up trails a bit and they are in good shape. The lake trail from Black Bay to Kabetogama is open and staked, but others remain closed. Below zero temperatures and some new snow is certainly helping. The latest trail reports are found on the International Voyageur Snowmobile Club website www.ridetheborder.com. Most area 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 getting some nice walleyes on the ice out by the open water near Baypoint. Guys are also getting out in boats up by dam, getting some eyes sauger, although this cold weather might slow them down a bit. In Colville Park, guys getting some panfish. And Frontenac pond has had some good tip up fishing has been good for northerns.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Anglers are still catching a few walleyes on Little Rock Lake, Big Birch and Clearwater. Fish have been biting very early in the morning and about an hour before sundown. Spear fishermen have taken some nice northerns out of Clearwater this year. Northern pike anglers are also catching fish on Clearwater, Pelican and Pearl Lake. Crappie anglers are catching fish on Becker and Clearwater Lakes. The winter fishing season for trout in lakes has begun with local anglers heading to Big Watab and Mud Lake. And sunfish have been biting on Sauk, Minnewaska and Pearl Lakes. We have freshwater shrimp in stock with a new shipment arriving this week. New products including Eskimo fish houses are now in our store, come in and visit the friendly people at Stop Light Bait. In the past 4 years, Mr. Z still holds the record for telling the truth about fishing, it happened one time.

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Sunnies and crappies are biting on Washington still... walleyes on Madison in the evening. East Jefferson has a northern bite going on the weedlines. The ice is good. Guys are driving all over.

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. Call or email for the latest conditions!

WACONIA - Mase's In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm, www.intownemarina.com (952-442-2096) The walleye bite has been decent; there’s been a good over night bite in Andersons, in about 15 feet of water on fatheads or suckers. We’ve been seeing more northerns on center reef and off harms point on medium sucker minnows. Panfish on Pillsbury Reef and Waconia Bay in the morning or evening hours.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids www.mnfishingpros.com (218-327-2312) Big Winnie was a little slower this past week and most often this time of year has taught us to adjust location and presentations. Some of the areas about 1-2 miles South of Stony Point are giving up decent catches of nice perch, but the anglers that are in the know are doing better out deep, rather than shallow structure. Soft mud bottom near hard bottom structures in 28-31 feet are holding the nicer perch. Sure you can go up shallow in the bays and catch lots of perch, but the bigger perch seemed to have moved out chasing larvae and other critters that are located in these soft spots. Toning down to a small Northland Forage Minnow spoon with two or three eurolarvae can be key. Having a second line in the water with a plain hook and small chub may be that extra touch to trigger additional bites. Make sure you drill lots of holes to check for schools of roaming perch and bonus walleyes. The North end of the Bena Bar, the tip of Sugar Bar, and several of the smaller humps associated with these spots will all start producing catches of nice perch all the way into March. Northern pike are still being taken using tip ups and sucker minnows in and around weed beds and shallow rock reefs. The walleye fishing has slowed this past week, but there are some fish being taken on some of the off-shore humps and in Big Cutfoot several of the points and small humps are giving up nice fish the last 2 hours of daylight. Smaller gold Buckshot Rattle Spoons with half a chub have been doing the job. Ice conditions are good and with the colder weather predicted for the end of the week will freeze any remaining slush problems.