North Central Minnesota Fishing Report – December 6th, 2013

LAKE MILLE LACS

Most of the lake is covered with three inches of ice and there is five to seven inches in the bays. But this area received seven inches of wet, heavy snow on Monday so that could delay conditions from improving.
Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811
Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS

There’s seven to nine inches of ice in Four Mile Bay, Zippel Bay, Bostic Bay, and the Morris area. Trails are marked out to 20 feet. There’s good walleye and sauger action in 15 to 19 feet. There’s four to six inches of ice on the Rainy River, with fish hitting in 10 to 13 feet. There’s three to six inches of ice at the Northwest Angle.
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau (800) 382-FISH

LEECH LAKE

Ice depths vary from four to six inches, but eight to 10 inches of snow hit Monday and that will cause issues with travel and ice-making. The best option might be the area’s small lakes that offer more ice.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
Shriver’s Bait Company (218) 547-2250

RAINY LAKE

Most of the main lake is ice-covered and some of the bays have four to five inches of ice. Snow was not an issue on the ice early this week and anglers were walking out but finding minimal success.
Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Six to seven inches of ice is common and fishing/spearing has started on a limited basis, mainly along the west side. This area received six inches of snow on Monday so if additional snow can be avoided, fishing pressure should pick up this weekend across most of the lake.
Lake Winnie Resort Association

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Walleyes are hitting fatheads and rainbows in 15 feet at Round Lake. Crappie action has improved in 20 to 24 feet on Upper Gull Lake and in the Highway 371 Bay on North Long Lake. Anglers are reporting five inches of ice.
S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League      (218) 829-7010

GRAND RAPIDS AREA

Lakes like Hill, Big Splithand, and Little Splithand are kicking out crappies in 20 to 22 feet. Sylvan Bay on the Mississippi River is producing bluegills and crappies, and there’s an evening walleye bite on Lake Pokegama in 17 to 24 feet. The big lakes still offer marginal ice in spots, but most small lakes have five to seven inches.
Ben’s Bait and Tackle (218) 326-8281

HACKENSACK AREA

Most lakes have six to eight inches of ice, but up to eight inches of snow hit on Monday and that has limited fishing pressure. Northern pike action has been good for anglers and spearers on most lakes in less than 10 feet. Prior to the snow, Little Birch Lake and Pleasant Lake were giving up crappies in 12 to 15 feet.
Swanson’s Bait and Tackle                     (218) 675-6176

RED LAKE

Walleye action has been good in six to nine feet along most shorelines. A jig and minnow is working best and most anglers are using ATVs on eight to 10 inches of ice.
Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Walleyes are hitting on the 12- to 20-foot breaks and structure of Lake Osakis and Sauk Lake. Red Barn Bay on Sauk is producing crappies in 28 to 44 feet as is the Hooper Hills area in 18 to 20 feet. Hit the north end of Osakis in 19 to 27 feet or Lilly Lake in 18 to 25 feet for crappies. Five to seven inches of ice is being found.
Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155