Bitter cold – for a change – keeps anglers off the lakes

BIG SIX

LAKE MILLE LACS

East – The deep edge of the Three Mile Flat continues to provide
steady perch action in 32 to 36 feet of water. A setline, plain
hook, and small minnow are turning bigger perch, while jigging
spoons have provided better numbers. Walleye activity is limited to
a few fish during the evening hours on the shallow rocks or tops of
the mud flats.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

www.johnsonsportside.com

West – The edges of Seguchie’s Flat and Seven Mile Flat remain
the best options for jumbo perch. The deep rock started producing
better numbers of jumbos as well. Start with a jigging spoon and
minnow head, but jigging spoons tipped with waxworms or Eurolarvae
also have turned fish. Walleyes are reportedly mixed in with the
perch.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

Tutt’s Bait & Tackle (320) 692-4341

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Limits of walleyes, a few sauger, and some jumbo perch are being
pulled from the Oak Island area of the Northwest Angle in 18 to 22
feet of water. Fishing also continues to improve along the south
shore in 12 to 25 feet of water. Along with more walleyes and
sauger, jumbo perch and northern pike also have been biting more
consistently. The best bite is taking place close to shore during
the morning and evening hours.

Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE AREA

Walleye and perch reports have been limited due to the cold and
wind last weekend. With some stable, warmer weather, look for perch
to start biting in 12 to 14 feet of water off Pine Point and Sand
Point. Shingobee Bay remains the best option for sunfish and
crappies in 16 to 20 feet of water, and this bite should improve as
March approaches. Walleye action has been slow, although the Walker
Bay humps remain the best bet.

Walker Bait Company (218) 547-2248

LAKE MINNETONKA

Numbers of small sunfish continue to be caught along the inside
and outside weed edges of Lake Minnetonka. Northern pike remain
active on top of the weed flats, and the bigger fish seem to prefer
sucker minnows and plain hooks. An occasional walleye has been
pulled from 30 to 35 feet of water after sunset, while many of the
area’s small lakes are worth noting for crappies.

Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227

RAINY LAKE

There’s a consistent evening walleye bite in American Narrows in
30 to 36 feet of water. The main lake reefs and the Franzen Island
area also have provided walleyes during low-light periods of the
day over 34 to 38 feet of water. Northern pike continue to be
pulled from the Rainy Lake City area, but crappie action remains
inconsistent.

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

When they decide to bite, perch are hitting on the north end
humps in 28 to 32 feet of water. Stay on the move until you find a
school of active fish. The humps off Raven’s Point also have kicked
out perch this week in 30 feet of water. The main lake bars remain
the best bet for northern pike in 16 to 20 feet of water.

Pines Resort and Campground (218) 246-8546

Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226

TWIN CITIES METRO

NORTHEAST METRO

The Bayport area of the St. Croix River is kicking out walleyes,
sauger, and crappies. There’s also been a steady crappie bite
occurring on Demonterville Lake in 15 to 22 feet of water. Look for
numbers of small sunfish on lakes such as Peltier and Little in 12
to 14 feet of water. Sucker minnows remain the ticket for northern
pike along the 12- to 14-foot weedlines of Big Marine Lake, Lake
Jane, and Demonterville.

Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle (651) 777-2421

WEST METRO

Look to Lake Parley for crappies in 16 feet of water during the
evening hours. Northern pike continue to bite on sucker minnows
along the 12- to 14-foot weed edges of Lake Minnewashta and Pierson
Lake. Although the bite has slowed, Prior Lake continues to produce
a few sunfish in 18 feet of water during the morning hours.

Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022

LAKE WACONIA

Look to the milfoil edges of Waconia Bay for sunfish, crappies,
northern pike, and an occasional walleye. The weed edges off
Anderson’s Reef and Pillsbury Reef continue to hold crappies and
walleyes, which seem to be most active during the evening hours.
Generally speaking, shiner minnows are turning northern pike along
most weedlines in 12 to 16 feet of water.

Mases In Towne Marina (952) 442-2096

STATEWIDE

ALEXANDRIA AREA

You’ll have to sort through numbers of small fish, but lakes
such as Mina, Le Homme Dieu, Geneva, and Smith are producing
sunfish and crappies. Walleye reports have been poor, with just an
occasional fish coming off Lake Miltona or Le Homme Dieu in 30 feet
of water after dark.

Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle (320) 763-3255

ANNANDALE AREA

The 40-foot hole on Clearwater Lake holds suspended crappies,
which activate after sunset. Lake John, Lake Sylvia, and Sugar Lake
are the best options for sunfish in 12 to 16 feet of water. Cedar
Lake and Granite Lake have kicked out a few crappies in deep water
as well. Walleye action has been limited to an “accidental” catch
on lakes like Clearwater and Cedar. Northern pike will hit sucker
minnows in 12 to 16 feet of water on Pleasant Lake, Bass Lake, and
Clearwater.

Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297

BATTLE LAKE

Look for sunfish in 15 to 17 feet of water on South Turtle Lake,
Ellingson Lake, East Lost Lake, and Star Lake. Northern pike are
hitting sucker minnows in the weeds of Otter Tail Lake and
Clitherall Lake in 17 feet of water. A few walleyes continue to
come from 35 feet of water on Otter Tail and West Battle Lake.
Crappie action remains slow.

Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Golden shiner minnows are producing walleyes on Gull Lake and
Pelican Lake. The active fish are as deep as 35 feet during the
middle of the day, but as shallow as 12 feet at sunset. Whitefish
Lake and Lake Edwards continue to produce northern pike on sucker
minnows in 14 to 16 feet of water. Look to North Long Lake, Round
Lake, and Nisswa Lake for a few good-sized sunfish in 12 to 18 feet
of water.

S & W Bait & Tackle (218) 829-7010

CHISAGO AREA

Sunfish continue to be pulled off the south end of Chisago Lake
in six to eight feet of water. Look for sunfish and northern pike
in 10 feet of water on Sunrise Lake and some crappies in slightly
deeper water. South Lindstrom Lake is kicking out crappies and
you’ll find sunfish near Pancake Island on South Center Lake.

Frankie’s Bait (651) 257-6334

FARIBAULT AREA

On Lake Mazaska, look for crappies in 30 feet of water and
bluegills in 22 feet. French Lake still is producing crappies over
30 to 40 feet of water. There’s some decent evening walleye action
taking place in 14 feet of water on Roberds Lake. West Cedar Lake
remains the area’s best option for northern pike.

Lake’s Bait and Tackle (507) 334-2768

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

There’s some evening crappie action in 15 to 18 feet of water on
Big Splithand Lake and Rice Lake. Gile Lake started producing
sunfish and crappies in 20 feet of water. Walleye action remains
slow, but tip-ups and chubs are turning northern pike on Lake
Pokegama in 14 to 18 feet of water.

Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

Rapids Tackle (218) 326-9838

LAKE VERMILION

Look for walleyes in 18 to 25 feet of water during lowlight
periods and in 26 to 40 feet of water during midday hours. Small,
less aggressive presentations also work best this time of year.
Look for a good panfish bite to start very soon.

Lake Vermilion Trading Company (218) 666-6052

lakevermiliontradingco.com

MANKATO AREA

The narrows on Madison Lake are producing walleyes and crappies
on jigging Rapalas over 30 to 35 feet of water. Church Bar on
Madison also has produced walleyes. Baker’s Bay on Lake Washington
is giving up crappies and sunfish in 16 feet of water. The shallow
water on St. James Lake is a safe bet for sunfish with small jigs
and waxworms.

The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228

McGREGOR AREA

Sucker minnows are turning northern pike along the weed edges of
Big Sandy Lake and Lake Minnewawa. Tulibees continue to be found
suspended over 30 feet of water on Big Sandy as well. Rat Lake is
providing the area’s only crappie bite, during the evening hours,
in 10 feet of water.

Willey’s Sport Shop (218) 426-3382

PARK RAPIDS AREA

Look for suspended crappies over 30 feet of water on Pickerel
Lake and Big Mantrap Lake. Northern pike also are hitting sucker
minnows on Big Mantrap and Fish Hook Lake in 16 feet of water.
Shiner minnows have been the ticket for walleyes during the evening
hours on Long Lake in 24 to 26 feet of water. Bluegill action
remains strong on Fish Hook in 12 feet of water with waxworms and
small jigs.

Delaney’s (218) 732-4281

RED LAKE

Crappie reports continue to improve, although not everyone is
catching limits. The best bite is taking place within
one-and-a-half miles from shore. You’ll find scattered crappies
further out, but there will be more walleyes than anything else. A
few big northern pike have been caught as well.

Rogers Campground (218) 647-8262