Report from the Dock
While there are still plenty of ice fishing options across the northern part of the state, lakes in central and southern Minnesota are no longer accessible. In the far south, some lakes are already ice-free, and others will follow suit this week. If there’s still ice in place, it’s rotten and deteriorating more every day, while most shorelines and access points have busted loose as well. With that, you can find ice to fish on from Brainerd and locations north of that area. Some shorelines have also started to open, especially anything that’s south facing or at accesses that were heavily used throughout the winter. But you will be able to fish through the ice somewhat comfortably this weekend to the north. You might have to walk out on the southern edge of the ice range, but it’s likely ATVs or side-by-sides will be good to go the farther north you travel. The number of people who continue to ice fish has been minimal, but options remain.
Leech Lake Ice Fishing Report
Depending on the access, ATVs or walking out could be options this weekend, but there are some heaves that developed throughout the lake with the warm weather last week, and many shorelines and accesses have started to open. In addition, this area received about 8 inches of snow last weekend, so there’s water on top of the ice. This has resulted in very little fishing activity and a level of uncertainty with the current main-lake ice conditions.