Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

February 15, 2008

ANNANDALE - B.J.'s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses, www.bjsbait.com (320-274-3730) There have been some sunnies and crappies getting caught out front to the left, in about 10 to 18 foot water. Northern action has been good, both spearing and angling. And guys have been picking up the occasional walleye towards sunset in 15 to 18 feet of water. We have a good plowed road to the east basin.

ANOKA - Action's Fishing, Jack, 809 West Hwy 10, www.actionsfishing.com (763-422-4890) The fish continued to be active and biting after the cold weather moved through on: Crooked Lake: bass and keeper size crappies, with an occasional walleye. Green Lake: nice crappies and northerns. Pelican Lake: sunfish and crappies. Centerville: panfish and northerns. Independence and Medicine-crappies and walleyes. Winterkill is happening on some of the smaller shallow lakes.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) Fishing for walleyes, they are getting them on Battle Lake using golden shiners anywhere from 20-30 feet of water. Also on Ottertail, they have been getting a few between 10-30 feet of water depending on the time of day. The crappies are biting on S. Turtle, West Battle, and Ellingson. You’ll have to sort them out; the nicer ones are being caught out in 20-25 feet of water, look for them to be suspended. Haven’t heard too much on sunnies, try Blanch and Star Lakes in about 15 foot water, in the weeds.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) Fishing has been picking upon Bemidji, guys were getting perch out in 30+ foot water, walleyes in the evening in the same spots. We heard some good panfish reports coming off of Grace Lake. Plantagenet is producing perch and walleyes in about 30-35 feet of water.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) The perch are still biting on Blackduck and the panfish are biting on Rabideau. Gull Lake has had a good walleye bite going and bluegills too. Upper Red Lake was okay, with the wind and cold; it limited the numbers of guys getting out. Mainly the bite has been morning and evenings for walleyes.

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) Call us for the latest reports!

CHISAGO CITY - Frankie's Live Bait and Marine, Brad, Corner of Hwy 8 and CR 77, www.frankies.net (651-257-6334) The panfish bite has still been good out on the south end of Chisago. Guys have been using small tear drop jigs, waxies and eurolarvae. Kroon Lake has also been producing in a little deeper water. The walleyes are hitting in the channel, it’s been an all evening bite. Little Green has been putting out some decent crappies. Don’t drive in the channel though; the ice is not safe there. Out in front of Hillcrest resort on N. Center has also been good for panfish.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Walleye activity this past week was pretty slow, but with the cold front it’s hard to tell if the weather was the reason or if the fish have just died off. What little action took place was on Serpent in about 25 feet of water. Downsizing is the key. Crappies picked up the slack a little bit as they bit well throughout the area in deep water. Eurolarvae and waxies tipped on a small jig has been the ticket for both the gills and the crappies. Lakes such as Cedar, Bay, Clearwater and Nokay have been producing nice crappies, while Perry and Upper Dean have put out the better daytime bite. Sunfish have been relating to shallow water and can be caught on most area lakes. Pike are becoming more active in shallow water again, and can be caught on a tip-up in the same areas as the panfish or along the breaklines with the walleyes. Lake trout action is still slow.

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) Held’s Guide Service (218-820-0989) Fishing tourney for Winter Fest on Trout Lake last weekend, crappies won the tourney. The crappies were the fish that was biting out there. A few trout caught on the trout lakes around the area, nothing big. Pelican and Whitefish have been producing walleyes, shiners on a rattle reel or a jig and fathead. The cold weather has slowed things the past weekend, but they should be getting better again here this week as things warm up.

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) Fishing has been good in general. Rice, Fish and Grand Lakes are all producing northerns on tip-ups and shiners. Fish Lake is still producing a good crappie bite. Pike Lake out in about 20 to 25 feet of water has a good perch bite going on. It is a great place to bring a kid. Out on Lake Superior, they have been on the ice a few days here and there, getting loopers and steel head and the occasional coho out in front of the river mouths. Lake Nichols and Murphy are producing crappies; it’s mainly been an evening bite between 4 and dark.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) In the harbor, walleye fishing has been good. There is 14 to 18 inches of ice out there. Glow jigs and gold color have been the best. Last week we were standing on the big lake, but we lost our ice. It should be making it again… call for the latest reports there. Inland lake action for crappies has been great, ice conditions are good, move around for them.

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) The brutal cold weather coupled with the high winds kept most anglers off the ice this past week. Those that did venture out to trout fish seemed to be doing better over all than the walleye or crappie fishermen. Burntside, Knife Miners and Tofte are the top picks right now. Time is running short for the walleye season, so get out there while you can. Stop in at Babes Bait and Tackle for up to date lake reports. Babes is "the best little bait shop in Ely".

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) Ice conditions are good. The panfish bite has been getting better with the warmer weather now after the last cold spell. There have been some bigger crappies caught out on Forest Lake. Pancake Island panfish bite is picking up. The crappies are suspended in about 30-foot water. The walleyes are in that 20-30 foot depth. Nice crappies on Big Marine off north end. Not many, but nice ones.

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) Hunter Bay has a good bite going in 35 to 40 feet of water, there are lots of houses out there, and they have been getting some nice crappies. Still getting some crappies on Moose and St. Mary’s. They have also been getting sunnies in 8-12 feet of water on St. Mary’s. They have still been getting walleyes on Big Birch Lake. Pine, Lady and Twin Lakes are producing some northerns. The sunnies are biting on Long Lake by the Hub Supper Club. And on Bass Lake at Grey Eagle they have been getting some sunfish too. 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) A lot of guys out on Leech in the big houses, getting walleyes and perch. The weather wasn’t good for the guys to get out in portables last weekend. Everyone is gearing up for Eelpout Festival this weekend. It looks like there will be good weather for that.

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) A wonderful week of normal winter weather has proven to be what anglers and snowmobilers want. The ice on the main lakes is finally safe and very little slush to contend with. Anglers can now venture to any of their favorite holes and set up. Reports of walleye, sauger and perch have been caught near the Martin Islands, Center Reef as well as Lost Lake Bay and the mouth of Ash River. Once again, the jig and minnow offering seems to trigger the best bite, glow jigs have the edge. Small jig with minnow head only or #4 hook or bigger jig with full minnow at either side of 30’. Northern pike pretty much roaming the lake looking for baitfish, as usual a tip-up with a sucker minnow is the best bet. Good news for those waiting for groomed lake trails, the local club groomers have been out on Kabetogama and the park service plans on putting their groomer into service the beginning of this week. All ice trails on the lake have been staked and most of the main trails will be groomed with the exception of the Kettle Falls Trail from Ash River. Land trails in good shape and are groomed on a regular basis. A good little snowfall would put trails in excellent condition.

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) A variety of locations on Lake of the Woods have been producing limits of walleye and sauger, and a few jumbo perch have also started showing up. Houses 5-7 miles off shore, in about 32-34 feet of water, have been doing well using bright colored small jigs. Houses farther north, around Garden Island, have been doing well using a rattle jig. Anglers with houses around the Rocky Point area report catching fish in around 19 feet of water. The fish have been biting lightly, so a little patience is needed to hook them. Fishing in the Rainy River has quieted down a little with the cold weather. Anglers are still catching fish, just not the fast action they've been used to. Pink and white jigs and frozen shiners have been working well off the bottom in 19-20 feet of water in the Clementson Rapids area. Fishing at the Northwest Angles remains steady; with a little patient you're sure to catch a nice limit. A rattle jig in 26-29 feet of water, around the reefs of Oak Island, has been working well for anglers. Nice mixes of walleye, sauger, and perch have been caught in the area. Remember you DO NOT need a passport to visit the Northwest Angle; all that's needed is a photo ID and a copy of your birth certificate.

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077) Perch action is really heating up. Sand Point is the place to be. Spoons and Minnows are the best. Bear Island has been producing great panfish. Small jigs and waxworms the best ticket there. The walleyes have been good in Walker Bay if you can keep the eelpout off your line! The Eelpout Festival is this weekend so come enjoy it with us! Stay warm and enjoy winter up on Leech Lake!

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421) Call Josh for the latest!

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service, www.kuduksguideservice.com (320-630-1761) Some big perch are being caught in Wigwam Bay now and out on Sherman’s Flat in about 24 feet of water. Roads have been plowed out to both places from Northstar Resort., Shakopee Lake has been good for sunnies and crappies, Anne and Knife Lakes have been too.

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) Now look, its already the middle of February, only a couple good weeks left of fishing before those houses have to lugged off the lake. How sad, it seems it just started. But that gives you two weeks to go perch searching looking for the hot spot to get that Jumbo for the contest. Last reports I’ve received were that huge jumbos were being caught on the flats. Head out there if you're portable, jigging with a fatty. Walleyes stay in about 22-26 feet gravel and rocks, no need to travel far. Using a larger jigging spoon, may get some action.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) Guys are still getting some nice eyes out on the lake, 4-5 fish a night, coming off the weedlines right at dark on glow jigs and rainbows. And some have been picking them up out in deeper water too, out in about 30 feet of water. The northerns have still been biting on top of the weeds, in about 8 to 10 feet of water on tip ups and suckers. The panfish bite has been sporadic, move around to find the nice ones.

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) Mid winter has set in so that means we are starting to think spring. The boat shows are starting and I've even heard a few open water reports from rivers. Some folks are also thinking about turkey hunting. I know during the next month I will be preparing for the upcoming open water season. It sure comes quick when it starts so we need to be ready. As for ice fishing, it is still going pretty good. If you want walleyes Gull has been the place all winter. Mid lake humps are holding some decent fish and the best bite is in the evenings. The best reports are coming from 15-20 feet. The crappies are also going good on many area lakes. The best bets are the Gull Chain, Sibley, the smaller lakes on the Whitefish Chain, and North Long. Look for deeper water to be holding the most crappies right now. Crappie minnows or spikes on a small glow jig is the ticket for slabs. The pike fishing has been great on Edwards, Cullen, and the south end of Gull. Tip ups and big sucker minnows are producing some nice catches. Sunfish reports have been limited.

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) Please stop in or call for the latest areas fishing report.

PELICAN RAPIDS - Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (218-863-5701) Despite the weather last week, some where out. Those that were, got some fish. They have been getting some walleyes on Lida, lots of nice eaters.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) Walleye are being caught in 35 to 40 feet of water in Sand Bay around American narrows and in spots heading east. Word is the bite is best as evening sets in and minnows on jigs have been working just fine. Northern pike can be caught near the mouth of Black Bay, look for 12 to 20 feet of water not too far from shore. Cold and snow have helped the snowmobile trails, which are in excellent shape. The lake trails are open and staked and the land trails have all been groomed, there’s a great base and fresh snow in the forecast. You will find the latest information 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) The fish are biting at Baypoint Park, the walleyes out towards the open water, and panfish at the docks. Out on Frontenac Pond, they’ve been getting some northerns on tip ups, and bass too.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) Cold weather has slowed done the fishermen, but last week northern pike were biting on Pearl and Pelican Lakes. Limits of fish from 4 to 9 pounds were brought in. Spearing has also been good on Clearwater Lake. Crappies have been biting on Diamond, Marie and Julia Lakes. Red eurolarvae and minnows seem to be catching the fish. Moving away from the crowds of people may help your success. Sunfish have been biting on Pelican, Diamond and Cedar Lakes. A few walleyes and crappies have been biting on Little Rock Lake in the middle afternoon until just past 7pm at night. New 2008 fishing license will be available next Monday. We still have freshwater shrimp in stock. Good luck fishing.

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Sunfish are biting on Roberts Lake, and on Shields they are getting some sunnies too. Duck Lake crappies have been biting right before dark in 10 foot water. On French Lake the walleyes are biting in 20-30 feet of water, and also on Lake Washington between 2nd and 3rd points.

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 Sakatah is producing a few walleyes by the narrows, while Tetonka is also giving up a few near Best Point. Crappies can be caught in the deeper water in the 20 - 30' range. Red spikes seem to be the ticket.

UPPER RED LAKE - White Birch Resort, Monte Sharbono, vacation@whitebirchresort.net (218-835-4552) Last weekend's cold and wind behind us, all the roads are plowed out and people are out and getting around again. The walleye bite has been spotty; some are catching 25-30 a day, while others are only getting a few. You have to move around to get on them. The best bite is coming in the evening, and the early morning. Glow jigs seem to work the best. A few are still getting some crappies, but they are hard to find right now. The northern bite has been pretty good.

WACONIA - Mase's In Towne Marine, Cindy, corner of Lake and Elm, www.intownemarina.com (952-442-2096) The panfish bite has been good, even the crappies are biting in the day time. Try the weed edges by Center Reef and north of Pillsbury by the drop off in around 25 feet of water. Some have been getting northerns on Center by Harms Point. In Waconia bay, things have been picking up too. Northerns are biting on the weed edges and some sunnies out there now too.

WINNIBIGOSHISH – Walleye Visions, Tom Neustrom, 21622 Airport Rd, Grand Rapids www.mnfishingpros.com (218-327-2312) The fronts seem to be creating havoc with the angling on Big Winnie and most of the lakes in the area. It's been tough and getting around, other than on plowed roads has also been a little difficult. The high winds and cold temperatures have kept many fishermen off the lakes. Big Winnie has still been kicking out a few perch for those who are braving the elements to get after them Forage Minnow Spoons and gold Swedish Pimples have worked the best and the perch seem to be favoring the 26-30 foot depths, which should improve as spring approaches. A few anglers are reporting mixed results on northern pike and there doesn't seem to be a preferred depth. There have been pike taken in 10 feet around old weed beds and pike caught on tip-ups in 25 to 30 feet. I think when the weather gets a little more stable things will improve. Remember that the season comes to an end on February 24th for walleyes, pike, and bass, until the openers in the spring. There have been very few anglers on Big Cutfoot for crappies and gills and again as soon as the weather is a little more consistent, things will improve. In the next two months the sportshows will be coming to nearly everyone's community in Minnesota. Stop in and see what's new in the fishing equipment, boating and outdoor seminars that are always informative. With winter winding down it's a great place to start thinking about the up coming 2008 fishing season.