North Central Minnesota Fishing Report – January 25th, 2013

LAKE MILLE LACS

East – Look for bigger numbers of active walleyes away from the structure in 25 feet or more during the day. This deep water, “in the middle of nowhere,” also has produced notable numbers of jumbo perch. At night, setlines and bigger minnows are turning walleyes on the 15- to 20-foot structure closer to shore. Isle Bay continues to produce northern pike in 10 to 15 feet on sucker minnows.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West – Walleyes are hitting best off the flats such as Seguchie’s and Eight Mile in 34 feet. The 14- to 18-foot weedline in St. Alban’s Bay continues to give up walleyes and northern pike. Work the deep rocks off Seguchie’s Point for a mixture of walleyes and jumbo perch during the day.
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Most anglers are fishing in 30 to 34 feet on the south end and catching a mixture of walleyes and saugers. Results have been mixed with the recent cold front, some walleyes are suspended, and there has been more saugers than walleyes caught. Hot jig colors have been gold, red glow, and blue glow and there has been some decent walleye action from 12 to 16 feet during low-light periods as well. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes and sauger are being pulled from 22 to 30 feet north of Garden Island, Little Oak Island, Oak Island, and Four Blocks.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE

If you can stay mobile, you’ll put together a nice bunch of perch in eight to 14 feet off Pine Point, First Duck Point, Second Duck Point, the Hardwoods, and north of Goose Island. Walleyes also have been active with fish coming off the 16- to 20-foot break from Sand Point to Cedar Point. There’s also been walleyes coming off the humps in Walker Bay from 25 to 35 feet.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
Shriver’s Bait Company (218) 547-2250

RAINY LAKE

Since the cold weather arrived, walleye action has slowed and the fish being caught have mostly been small. Look to Birch Point in Sand Bay in 30 feet or more for walleyes during low-light periods. The pike being caught in the Rainy Lake City area also have diminished in size with most of them hitting ciscoes in 14 to 18 feet.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

You have to do some sorting, but limits of keeping-sized perch are being caught on the bars such as Horseshoe, Snaghole, River, and on Hunter’s Hump in 16 to 18 feet or 28 to 32 feet. Northern pike have been active in these areas and they will give up an occasional walleye as well. Walleyes have bit better during low-light periods on Big Muskie Bar and South Moses Bar in 16 to 20 feet.
Lake Winnie Resort Association

BEMIDJI AREA

Walleye action has slowed up, but if you downsize your minnows and jigs and work the tops of the bars during low-light periods on Lake Bemidji, you’ll hook a few fish. Perch action has remained consistent through the cold front with Bemidji producing fish in 18 to 42 feet. Panfish have been difficult to find in recent days, although Big Wolf Lake is giving up crappies in 28 feet.
Taber’s Bait (218) 751-5781

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Fishing pressure has been limited since last weekend’s cold front arrived. Once the weather improves, look for walleyes to continue biting in 15 to 34 feet on Round Lake and Gull Lake. Northern pike have continued to hit sucker minnows in 10 to 14 feet on Lake Edwards, North Long Lake, and Gull. Rosy red minnows are producing crappies during the evening hours in eight to 14 feet at Nisswa Lake, Cullen Lake, and Round.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League (218) 829-7010

CROSBY AREA

The Deerwood end of Serpent Lake and the west bowl of Rabbit Lake are producing walleyes during the evening hours in 18 to 26 feet. Crappies are being pulled from Cedar Lake during the day and from Bay Lake in the evenings on glow jigs and minnows. Sunfish reports have been best off Bass Lake and Crooked Lake with Eurolarvae and northern pike are keeping flags flying on tip-ups at Little Black Hoof Lake and Lower Mission Lake.
Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

EMILY AREA

Fishing action has been limited since the cold air arrived, but prior to that Lake Esquagamah was kicking out crappies in 23 to 25 feet on glow jigs and minnows. On Ruth Lake, tip-ups and sucker minnows are producing northern pike in 10 to 12 feet, while Kego Lake is worth noting for sunfish in 25 feet.
Redding Sports and Spirits (218) 763-2191

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

The recent cold spell has limited fishing activity, but northern pike action continues to be productive at Lake Pokegama, Ball Club Lake, and Lake Wabana in 10 feet or less. Walleye action is limited to the evening hours in 18 to 34 feet on Pokegama, Moose Lake and Deer Lake. Big Splithand Lake is producing crappies in 20 to 22 feet and Bass Lake remains a safe bet for bluegills in eight to 15 feet of water.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

RED LAKE

Recent cold fronts seem to have slowed the walleye bite a bit. The best reports are coming off the mud flats in 13 feet, but there has been some decent action coming from eight to 10 feet as well. There continues to be some northern pike and keeping-sized perch in the mix from the same areas.
Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Prior to the cold front, crappies and walleyes were hitting on Rice Lake and Lake Koronis in 20 to 25 feet. On the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes, crappies were hitting in 14 to 20 feet during low-light periods. Look to Clear Lake for crappies in 12 feet and Mud Lake is giving up rainbow trout in six to 12 feet. Spearing has improved on most lakes now that the water has cleared up.
Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Crappies continue to hit on the north end of Lake Osakis, north end of Big Sauk Lake, and Big Birch Lake in 24 to 40 feet – look for suspended fish. Osakis continues to produce sunfish in 18 to 20 feet, while Big Birch is producing walleyes in 28 to 30, as is Osakis in 24 to 30 feet.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155

EAST CENTRAL MN

Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows on Little Elk Lake and Little Ann Lake in seven to 11 feet. Look for crappies at Blue Lake in 17 feet and at Green Lake in 16 to 18 feet. Stanchfield Lake is kicking out crappies and sunfish in 14 to 17 feet. An occasional walleye is caught during low-light periods on Blue, Green, or Elk lakes on setlines.
Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985