North Central MInnesota Fishing Report – December 26th, 2014

LAKE MILLE LACS 

East – Perch action has picked up on the north end in 18 feet and in Wahkon Bay over 12 feet. Northern pike continue to hit in most bays in less than 12 feet and walleye reports are improving. Look for small walleyes to be active during low-light periods on the reefs and shoreline breaks with bigger ‘eyes coming off the flats during the day in 23 feet or deeper.

Johnson’s Portside (320) 676-3811

West – Walleyes and a few good-sized perch are being caught on the 16- to 23-foot shoreline breaks or on the rock piles in 18 to 21 feet. Northern pike continue to provide action along the weedlines in most bays. Look for more travel to the main lake flats soon.

Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430

LAKE OF THE WOODS

Walleye and sauger action continues to be tough with small windows of activity during the afternoon hours. Look to Four Mile Bay, Pine Island, and Morris Point Gap areas in 18 to 31 feet. From Zippel Bay, Long Point, Twin Islands, and Rocky Point; 24 to 26 feet has been best, but again catching fish consistently has been difficult. All snowmobile trails on the Rainy River, across the lake, and Northwest Angle are marked and open, but watch for some cracks near Knight Island. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes have bit best in 18 to 26 feet.

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

LAKE VERMILION

The rock reefs and points in Big Bay are producing walleyes and perch in 25 to 30 feet. Northern pike action remains strong in less than 12 feet in most shallow bays with Stuntz and Larson bays producing the biggest fish.

Pike Bay Lodge (218) 753-2430

LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH

Perch continue to hit at a good pace in 7 to 10 feet along the south and west sides of the lake. Walleyes and northern pike are hitting best during the afternoon and early evening hours on the main lake bars and humps in 15 to 25 feet. Spearing for pike also has been strong in shallower water.

Lake Winnie Resort Association

LEECH LAKE

Angling and spearing for northern pike has picked up in less than 12 feet in Steamboat Bay and Walker Bay. The Pine Point area is giving up perch, northern pike, and a few walleyes in 10 to 14 feet, while walleye reports from Walker Bay remain mostly slow.

Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505

Shriver’s Bait Company (218) 547-2250

RAINY LAKE

The Birch Point area of Sand Bay is kicking out walleyes in 25 to 30 feet. Setlines and shiners or jigging spoons are both turning fish. Some nice walleyes have been caught in the past week. Ciscoes or sucker minnows are producing northern pike during the afternoon hours in 10 to 20 feet throughout the Rainy Lake City area. 

Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850

RED LAKE

Walleye action remains strong along most shorelines in 8 to 10 feet during low-light periods and 12 to 15 feet throughout the day. While there’s lots of ice on the lake, anglers need to beware of pressure ridges. Reports of consistent walleye action at night with rattle reels also remain strong. A few crappies, perch, and northern pike are mixed in. 

Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128

BEMIDJI AREA

Walleyes are hitting best at night in 28 to 30 feet near Diamond Point on Lake Bemidji. Lake Plantagenet is producing smaller walleyes in 18 to 23 feet earlier in the day. Look for suspended crappies over 32 feet on Larson Lake, while spearing and angling for northern pike has been strong on most lakes in 12 feet or less.

Taber’s Bait (218) 751-5781 

BLACKDUCK AREA

Perch remain active during the day in 10 to 12 feet on Blackduck Lake and you’ll catch a few walleyes here in 18 to 20 feet during low-light periods. Anglers are finding bluegills and crappies in 16 to 22 feet on Gilstead Lake, Lake Rabideau and Pimushe Lake.  

Timberline Sports and Tackle (218) 835-4636

BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA

Look for sunfish in 8 to 10 feet and crappies over 10 to 28 feet at North Long Lake, Round Lake and Gull Lake. Rainbows and fathead minnows are producing walleyes during low-light periods in 17 to 28 feet on Round, North Long, Gull and Pelican Lake. Tip-ups and sucker minnows are working best for northern pike in 12 feet on the south end of Gull.

S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Guide League      (218) 829-7010

CASS LAKE AREA

Work the 5- to 7- foot sand/grass or bulrush areas on Cass Lake for perch. Center Bar on Pike Bay Lake continues to hold perch and walleyes in 14 to 16 feet. Allen’s Bay on Cass also is giving up walleyes during low-light periods in 12 to 16 feet. Northern pike continue to cruise the shallows on Cass and crappies are biting in 10 feet on Lower Sucker Lake. 

Sunset Cove Resort (800) 279-4831

CROSBY AREA

The Deerwood end of Serpent Lake continues to give up a few walleyes in the evenings over 18 to 23 feet. There’s some crappies coming off Perry Lake in 15 to 18 feet and Lake Mahnomen continues to produce sunfish and pike in 10 to 14 feet. Upper Dean Lake is giving up crappies in 17 to 22 feet and northern pike in 12 to 14 feet. 

Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle (218) 546-6912

EAST CENTRAL MN

Sucker minnows and tip-ups are producing northern pike on most lakes in 8 to 12 feet. Work Green Lake and Blue Lake with glow jigs and minnows for crappies over 17 feet during the evening hours. Green continues to give up sunfish as well in 12 to 14 feet.

Tales and Trails Sport Shop (763) 856-3985

HACKENSACK AREA

Walleyes are hitting minnows on setlines late each day on Woman Lake, Birch Lake and Little Boy Lake in 14 to 18 feet. Look for sunfish in 10 to 12 feet and suspended crappies over 17 to 20 feet on Birch, Webb Lake, Pleasant Lake, and in Broadwater Bay on Woman. 

Swanson’s Bait and Tackle                     (218) 675-6176

LAKE KABETOGAMA

Walleyes and perch are starting to be found on main lake structure in 28 to 32 feet; walleyes are hitting best during low-light periods. Northern pike are keeping anglers and spearers busy in most bays over 10 to 15 feet. 

Gateway Store (218) 875-2121

ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA

Crappies are hitting glow jigs tipped with minnows or plastics in 16 to 22 feet on Horseshoe Lake, Rice Lake, Cedar Island Lake and Long Lake. Look to Pearl Lake for crappies and a few sunfish in 12 to 14 feet. Northern pike remain active on Grand Lake and Lake Koronis in 8 to 15 feet. Koronis is giving up a few walleyes in 14 to 22 feet.

Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248

SAUK CENTRE AREA

Crappies continue to hit on Lake Osakis in the Battle Point area on the north end over 34 feet and the south end near Half Mile Bar in 20 to 22 feet. Sauk Lake also is producing crappies in 22 to 24 feet during low-light periods. Walleye and sunfish action has been slow, but northern pike can be had with tip-ups and sucker minnows on the weedlines of Sauk, Osakis and Long Bridge Lake. 

Fletcher’s Bait Shop (320) 352-2155

STAPLES/LITTLE FALLS AREA

Green Prairie Lake started giving up crappies throughout the day in 18 to 22 feet. Work the 8- to 22- foot breaks during low-light periods on the east end of Lake Alexander for walleyes. Look to Pine Island Lake for a few crappies early and late each day as well.

Da Fishin’ Hole (320) 631-0056