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Report from the Dock

Ice thicknesses have improved quite a bit since last week’s cold front, and with nicer weather this week, there have been a lot more people fishing. Generally, ATVs, snowmobiles, and side by sides are now being used on lakes across the state. Throughout northern Minnesota, trucks have started to be seen on quite a few lakes, but they’re still not recommended in most locations. Walleye activity continues to be best during low-light periods and after dark. Jigging spoons seem to be drawing fish in, but most fish are being caught on deadsticks or tip-ups with minnows, especially at night. Crappies are being found suspended over deep basin areas on most lakes, but you’ll still find some pods of fish in shallow water and around weeds or mud, along with bluegills. Northern pike seem to be weed-related and active in most areas, and trout reports sound favorable around the Ely and Crosby areas with a mix of lake trout and stream trout being caught.

Leech Lake Report

Daytime walleye action has been spotty with some fish being caught away from main-lake structure in 22 to 30 feet. Low-light periods have been more productive around Pelican Island and the main-lake rocks in 14 to 18 feet. The 20- to 28-foot shoreline breaks in Walker Bay are also producing walleyes early and late each day.

Perch action has been best off Pine Point in 9 feet and out from the Acorn Hill Resort area in 14 to 20 feet. You’ll find suspended tullibees and whitefish over 20 to 30 feet out of Horseshoe Bay. Trucks are being used in some areas out of select resorts, so work through them, while ATV use is an option on other parts of the lake.

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• Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
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Report from the Dock The first extended stretch of cold air of the season has improved ice depths across the state. Unfortunately, this past week has been so cold and windy that it’s prevented most people from getting out and fishing. There were many more reports indicating that snowmobiles, ATVs, and side-by-sides are now being […]

Report from the Dock It’s taken a while but ice depths are slowly starting to improve across the entire state. They’re by no means as good as they should be this time of year, but there seem to be some promising signs moving forward. This week’s cold weather, the first extended stretch of real ice-making […]

Report from the Dock This ice-fishing season took another strange turn last week with warm weather and measurable rain eliminating a lot of the ice that had started to take hold. There were even anglers fishing from boats… in some cases on lakes or areas within a given lake that had enough ice to walk […]

Report from the Dock Another round of wind, rain, and unseasonably warm weather continues to limit the ice-making process in most areas. Heading into January, you’ll still find pockets of open water on some big lakes and marginal ice conditions across the southern half of Minnesota. Despite these less-than-favorable ice-making conditions, anglers are getting out […]