here's the latest
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Below-zero temperatures this past week have increased Lake of the Woods ice thickness t0 roughly 12 inches in most areas. Please note, however, that there are still some spots with as little as 6 inches of ice. As of December 24, ATVs and snowmobiles were the only vehicle travel reported. Please be sure to use the marked resort trails if venturing out on your own. The lake snowmobile trails to Warroad and to the Northwest Angle have been officially marked. Sauger and walleye are biting in 19-25 feet of water, with plenty of eating-size fish and an occasional trophy-size fish being taken. Eelpout, northern pike, jumbo perch, sturgeon and tulibee have been mixed in with the walleye and sauger. Pink and gold have been hot colors. Roads are plowed from the Northwest Angle to the Islands. There is a solid 10 inches of ice as far as Picture Rock on the Canadian side. Houses are out and many fish are being pulled from depths of 20 feet south of Oak Island. Crappie action has been best in 35 feet of water. 1-800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Bemidji
Ice is growing on lakes in the Bemidji area have after consecutive nights of below-zero temperatures and daily highs struggling to rise into the single digits above zero. Most lakes now have at least ten inches of good ice, with Upper Red Lake having roughly 15 inches of ice. Walleye anglers on Upper Red Lake have been finding walleye moving further out from shore into 9-12 feet of water. Anglers may want to keep moving until they are getting bites or at least until they see walleye moving through on a regular basis on their sonar. Crappie anglers are finding fish on the edges of the deep holes in 25-35 feet of water in most lakes. The crappies are usually suspended several feet off the bottom, so electronics have been helpful to get their presentations at the same level as the crappies. Sunfish usually like the deep edge of the weeds or mud flats in less than 30 feet of water. Sunfish will often stick tight to the weeds or close to bottom where they can feed on insects. Licensed anglers are allowed to fish two lines during the winter in Minnesota. Many anglers like to watch their main line with sonar and fish for walleye or panfish, putting out a tip-up baited with a larger minnow for northern pike,
Detroit Lakes
As of late last week there was 8-12 inches of ice on most area lakes, and temperatures were favorable for ice to rapidly develop. ATV's and snowmobiles were traveling on most area lakes, but more time was needed before anglers could use their vehicles to access the lakes. As always, please be sure to check with local resorts and bait shops for the most current ice conditions before heading out, and remember that 12 inches of ice is recommended for cars and small trucks; 15 inches of ice is the recommendation for regular-sized pickups. The bite was good for walleye, northern pike, crappies and sunnies. Most fish were relating to the first breaks out from the shoreline areas. Walleye could be found in depths of 15-24 feet when using jigging spoons, buckshot rattles and Swedish pimples tipped with minnow heads. Anglers were also taking fish when using jigs or hooks under a bobber, tipped with shiners, small suckers or fatheads. The best action was tight to the bottom. Northern pike were hitting larger minnows under bobbers or tip-ups at the weedline areas. Crappies were coming in on small jigs or small jigging spoons tipped with minnows or plastics. Little Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Island, Toad and Tamarac lakes have been getting the most attention. Many of the smaller bodies of water and smaller ponds have been producing panfish as well. 1-800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Ice ranges from 6-12 inches thick on Otter Tail Lake, and anglers are bringing out their fish houses. Four-wheelers remain the best mode of travel. Fish are biting in 20-30 feet of water. All accesses are now open. As always, please consult with an area bait shop or resort for the most current conditions, and remember that ice is never completely safe. 1-800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
