Outdoors Weekly Fish Tales Archive

April 25, 2008

Anglers: Please note that ice conditions can change very quickly during the spring. And as usual, reports are sporadic this time of year. Please call the numbers below for an up-to-the-minute report.

ANNANDALE - B.J.'s Bait & Tackle, Bill, west side of Clearwater Lake, between the two public accesses, www.bjsbait.com (320-274-3730) The ice has shifted around out front here; it should be close to being out by the end of this weekend. Give us a call or stop in and make plans to get into some great springtime panfishing.

BATTLE LAKE - Ben's Bait & Tackle, Josie, Junction of Hwy 78 and 210 (218-864-5596) The ice is going fast; the ice is starting to look really black now and is starting to break away from shore. We don’t recommend any travel on the ice anymore this season.

BEMIDJI - Bluewater Bait & Sports, Mark Cook, 1 mile north of the Hwy 2 & 71 Intersection, www.bluewater-bait.com (218-444-2248) Some are still walking out for panfish, but it is starting to get iffy out there. A lot have been out shed hunting and finding quite a few. Other then that, it’s been pretty quiet out there.

BLACKDUCK - Timberline Sport & Tackle, Carl Adams, Junction of Hwy 71 and Blackduck Lake Rd. (218-835-4636) ) The ice is just starting to get questionable now. A few are sneaking out on foot, but we don’t recommend it. It’ll be a few weeks now before open water… hopefully before the opener.

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 ice should be off by the weekend. So start hitting the shallow bays on the south ends of the lakes. Stop in and get your bait and find out where to go. The suckers are running in the rivers and creeks. We’ve had a lot of turkeys registered so far this season.

CROSBY - Oars-N-Mine Bait and Tackle, Jesse Williams, 22640 Hwy 6 N (218-546-6912) Ice fishing has come to an end, and already our fishermen are looking to any open water they can find in search of some ice-out crappies and sunfish. Many of the lakes still have a lot of ice on them, although it won’t take much for those lakes to bust up with the warmer temps and some wind. Some of the creeks and channels have been open for a while now so it shouldn’t be long before the fish really start running. Still a little early yet for most spots. Some of our guys and gals have been hitting the rivers for sucker action just to break out the long rods again, and have been doing very well with a good mix of redhorse, suckers and an occasional bonus species. This week we will hear of more panfish action on some of the river backwaters and by this up-coming weekend the bite will be pretty good. For updates on ice-out call our store or stop in!

CROSSLAKE - Holiday of Cross Lake, 35610 Cty. Rd. 66 Crosslake, Lee (218-692-2708) Everybody is waiting for the ice to go out now. Looking forward for the ice to be out the middle of next week or next weekend on some of the smaller lakes.

DULUTH - Fisherman's Corner, Scott, 7 miles north of Miller Mall on Hwy 53, www.fishycorner.com (218-729-5369) The inland water ice is in limbo. On superior, guys are catching some fish, mainly steelhead, in the rivers and coho off the pier. The guys out trolling are doing well and are mainly catching coho using stick baits, silver in color.

DULUTH - Marine General, 1501 London Road, on the edge of Lake Superior, www.marinegeneral.com (218-724-8833) Lots of people out in the streams taking fish, steelhead and loopers. Guys in the streams are using bright string and spawn. Guys have been having success trolling for coho between Duluth and Two Harbors, trolling with small sticks and bombers. They are running 8 to 10 feet down in about 80 feet of water. Shore lines, guys are using crawlers off the bottom. A few smelt might start this weekend, but probably about a week away for the really run.

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)

FOREST LAKE - Mikes Bait on 8, Rich, 1/2 mile east of 35 on Hwy 8 (651-464-5150) Lakes should be starting to open up this weekend. Guys should start hitting the shallow bays, and the north side of the lakes. We are all ready to go for summer fishing, the latest and greatest in new summer tackle. Stop in and check it 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) The ice is not safe out there anymore, a few more rain showers and some wind, and it will be going out quickly. Maybe another week or so… Stop in and check out the new tackle for the 2008 season. We also have a big clearance table of 50% off items.

HACKENSACK - Swanson's Bait & Tackle, Jim Tuller, Hwy 371 on the north end of Hackensack, www.swansonsbait.com (218-675-6176) Ice fishing is down to the final days now. Warm weather and wind has melted most of the snow that we had over the past week (30"-36") and has started to take the ice. Most of the small ponds are pulling away from shore rapidly and the lakes are pulling away from shore in spots. With the highs in the 60's with rain last week, I do not expect the ice to last long. We are down to foot traffic only already. There have only been a few anglers venturing out since the snow, not much for reports other than a lot of water. It would be a good time to start cleaning up the boat and getting the open water gear ready.

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 provided much needed normal temperatures. Some shorelines are beginning to show signs of water so the thaw process is in progress. No reports on crappie action; most folks are waiting for ice out. Speaking of ice out, all early indications would lead one to believe that it will be out by opener.

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 Lake of the Woods area is in transition, the track vehicles have been put away for the summer and the boat are ready for a new season of open water fishing. The Rainy River is open and folks are having a great time fighting big sturgeon. Although it's catch and release only there is plenty of excitement when wrangling one of those prehistoric monsters. The water level continues to rise and the water is a bit murky, but the sturgeon don't seem to mind. Good fishing is being reported all the way from Birchdale to Four Mile Bay. Walleye season opens on May 10th. There are still openings at area resorts so it's not to late to spend opening weekend at the Walleye Capital of the World!

LEECH LAKE - Anderson's Resorts, Tim, www.andersonsleech-lake.com (1-800-516-0077) With warm weather in the forecast, we are looking for a great open water season.

METRO AREA EAST - Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle, Oakdale, Josh, www.blueribbonbait.com (651-777-2421) The St. Croix is going right now, for some good open water action. The rough fish are biting like crazy.

MILLE LACS LAKE – Chris Kuduk’s Guide Service, www.kuduksguideservice.com (320-630-1761) A few guys are still trying to get out, but the ice is not looking to great. You better check with the resort owners before you try and head out.

MILLE LACS LAKE - Malmo Market, Lynwood Elliott, State Hwy 47 and 18 East, NE corner of Mille Lacs (320-684-2295) Ice on Mille Lacs is deteriorating quickly. We still have a few brave anglers venturing onto the ice in Isle Bay after crappie, but that should be ending very quickly. Start looking to the shallow bays, Malone Island area and boat harbors to start opening up first. These are great places to start chasing early season crappie. Early crappie fishing is great fun and the only time most of us fish from shore. So dust off those ultra light rods and get out there! Plan on spending opener on the north end sand this year. With a later ice out this will be the first part of the big lake to warm up. Expect some great opening weekend action on the North end sand this year. Have a great spring 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) We are down to some walking only. Use your heads! After all the winds this last week it really helped with the melting of the foot of snow we got the week before. So I predict the ice out day is... MAY 1st. The hit and miss action on the crappies is mostly in the Isle bay area in 7-9 feet of water. Waxies and eurolarvae will be the ticket for your choice. OPENER 2008 IS MAY 10TH.We are busy getting ready for open water fishing, we have lots of new shirts soon coming in, for 2008.

LAKE MINNETONKA - Wayzata Bait & Tackle, Tim or Bob, half mile west off I-494 on Hwy 12 (952-473-2227) A few guys are fishing in the lagoons and the smaller bays. The crappie contest is scheduled for this weekend, and the ice should be all out by then. Pink is the hot color. We are ready to go with crappie minnows and everything else.

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) We have about 2 feet of ice, but you can’t get out on it anymore. We are just waiting for the ice to break up now. There is some substantial break away from the shorelines. We are looking for the ice to be out around the first of May.

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 check out or area resorts website and make plans for your summer vacations now.

PELICAN RAPIDS - Park Region Sport Shop, Lee Brenna, Intersection of Interstate 59 and 108 in downtown Pelican Rapids (218-863-5740) There is nothing left for ice to get on; it could go out as early as this weekend on some of the smaller lakes this weekend, Next week for sure.

RAINY LAKE - Rainy Lake Tourism, www.rainylake.org (1-800-FALLS-MN) Fishing came to an end on the river for walleyes, it was an excellent run. The water stayed clear right up until the end. Get ready now for the sturgeon season.

RED WING - Ike's Bait & Tackle, Ken, 2109 Old W Main St, Red Wing (651- 388-2111) Things on the river slowed down a bit. Most fish are done spawning now and guys are catching them in 5-6 feet of water using plastics and casting into the riprap. Some nice big 10 pound plus fish have been caught, as well as a bunch of eaters. They are still up by the dam and high bridge area, and also by Hay Creek.

SAINT CLOUD - Stop Light Bait, 45 8th Avenue SE, St. Cloud (320-255-9689) There have been a few anglers fishing the Mississippi River, but the fish have not been cooperating. Ice conditions on local lakes continue to deteriorate daily. If the warm weather holds up, and we get some windy days, we can start looking to the shallower bays which will warm up first. And the summer time fishing will begin. We will have night crawlers, angle worms and minnows in stock. We have new store hours opening one hour earlier daily. As soon as leech prices are established, we will start taking leech orders for our customers to make sure you have what you need for the 2008 fishing opener.

SAINT PETER - Hermies Bait, Brad, 43539 French Hill Rd. St.Peter MN 56082 (507-931-6875) Guys have been hammering the crappies and sunnies on Lake Jefferson right now. The trout pond has been doing well. The river has been putting out a few cats.

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) White Bass starting to move in creeks and rivers. Lagoons are alive again with crappies and sunnies. Minnows and waxies work best.

UPPER RED LAKE - White Birch Resort, Monte Sharbono, vacation@whitebirchresort.net (218-835-4552) I think the ice fishing season is finally over. The river is open now and the lake won't be too long. We have open water on the edges of the lake so we will keep you up to date on the lake and when you will be able to go out fishing.

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) Well, back from a great Florida Keys vacation that let me miss all the snow. Of course checking with the resorts on Big Winnie is telling me that the ice might not be off by the 1st week of May. It's tough to make any predictions, but some of the old timers are saying the ice will be off by May 3rd to the 8th, which puts things into quite a predicament. I definitely would call ahead to see the status of the opening weekend lakes and their conditions, and call the local bait shops for the availability of shiners, leeches, etc.. I talked to mnfishingpros guide Charlie Worrath and he told me there were 10-15 anglers on Bowstring Lake ice fishing on the Sunday the 20th. There are reports of up to 30 inches of ice in places on Big Winnie, but with rain, wind, and a little luck the ice will go quickly. I will be in Duluth/Hermantown at Gander Mountain doing a walleye seminar on Saturday. Stop in visit and check out the new tackle for the 2008 season. Let's talk about some of the best ways to have a successful 2008 Opener. Also mark down May 3rd and 4th for Cabela's in Rogers. All the members of the Minnesota Fishing Pros Guide Group will be on hand to talk fishing.