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image links to fishrapper.com Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism February 12, 2025

image of women's ice fishing party and a big walleye caught on Lake of the Woods "Ice fishing remains strong on Big Traverse Bay, spanning across the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Resorts and outfitters are staying on top of nice schools of walleyes and saugers with ice roads extending up to 16 miles out. Many of the fishing shelters are positioned over deep water and mud bottoms and most fishing activity is taking place in 26 to 32 feet of water. Some of the rental shelters, depending on resort's specific operating areas are on structure like deep points or reefs.

Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken. The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31, 2025. The open season for walleye and sauger remains open through April 14, 2025 and the northern pike season never closes.

Overall, February has been very productive for most anglers, but it is mid-February, and there are periods of slower action mixed in. Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year. Some big eelpout are also showing up. Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home. Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons. There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time.

The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go. On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent. Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well. Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water. Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line. On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.

On the Rainy River, the start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them. It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.

Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice.

Up at the Northwest Angle, ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes. Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well. Big crappies are still being caught just over the border. Fish houses are available, check with a Northwest Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.

Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31, 2025 and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14, 2025. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round."  Lake of the Woods Tourism, (800) 382-FISH


image links to wired2fish Wired2Fish February 12, 2025 "Pro Fishing Legends: Where Are They Now?"

image links to fishing article about world famous bass fishing pros "Do you ever wonder what some of the legends of the pro bass fishing game are doing now that they’ve retired? They follow the same retirement plan that many retirees do. They go fishing.
Wired2Fish tracked down seven of the all-time greats of the game and we found out what they are up to.

Roland Martin, one of bass fishing’s pioneers, just can’t quit. At age 84, he still guides on Florida’s Headwaters Lake and Lake Okeechobee for the hefty sum of $1,500 per day. And he’s still in demand. “People want to catch that bass of a lifetime, and I can help them with that,” said Martin, who still lives in ..." Read Article and Learn More >> Pro Fishing Legends: Where Are They Now?


image links to mn dnr news release News Release February 11, 2025 "Minnesota DNR Fisheries Rulemaking | Proposed Fishing Gear Rules"

image of automatic hook setting tip up for ice fishing "The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking for the public to comment on proposed rules about fishing methods that, if adopted, would go into effect in March 2026.

The rules propose increasing the maximum allowed distance between hooks in tackle configurations with multiple hooks from 9 to 18 inches. The rulemaking also allows for the use of certain automatic hook-setting devices for ice fishing that currently are not allowed and includes clarification of the definition of “hook.”

These changes would allow anglers to use a wider range of commercially available products and be more practical for bait commonly used. The changes are anticipated to reduce the number of swallowed hooks and deep hook sets, thereby decreasing hooking mortality without posing a threat to conservation.

Comments can be submitted through Thursday, March 20, 2025 by email to bethany.bethke@state.mn.us opens in a new browser tab or mail to Bethany Bethke, Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator, Fish and Wildlife Division, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155."

Editors Note: The image upper left, courtesy In-Fisherman, links to an October 2017 article about automatic hook setting devices for ice fishing. The specific products depicted may, or may not be under consideration in the rule change process. For more details aboiut specific lures, and fishing gear under consideration follow this link. >> More Information, including the proposed rule language and contact information for comments, is available on the fisheries rulemaking page of the DNR website.


image links to mn dnr news release News Release February 2025 "Mille Lacs Lake Fisheries Advisory Committee | Meeting Set For February 18, 2025"

image of the Lake Mille Lacs walleye statue at Garrison Minnesota "The Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee (MLFAC) will meet from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Izaty’s Resort (8383 Izaty’s Rd, Onamia, MN 56359) and via online video conference. The agenda will cover winter creel survey updates, an update on the multi-year plan discussion with the 1837 bands, an update on the fall night ban, and a discussion on regulations for 2025.

Members of the public may observe MLFAC meetings, but these meetings serve primarily as a way for the committee to hold group discussions. Ten minutes are reserved for public comments and questions. For the upcoming online meeting, members of the public who wish to observe the meeting or speak during the public comment period should contact millelacs.fisheries@state.mn.us by Tuesday, Feb. 18, at noon. Meeting minutes will be posted after the meeting on the Mille Lacs Lake management page.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Mille Lacs Lake area fisheries office by email at millelacs.fisheries@state.mn.us or by phone at 218-429-3031 or using your preferred Telecommunications Relay Provider.

The committee has been active since October 2015. Its purpose is to advise the Department of Natural Resources on the State of Minnesota’s fisheries management program for Mille Lacs Lake.

For more information about DNR’s management of Mille Lacs Lake and how to get involved, visit the Mille Lacs Lake management page. To sign up to receive these email updates, click on “Newsletter” on the left menu and enter your email in the blue box on the page."


image links to fishrapper.com Ely Area, Arrowhead Outdoors Fishing Report February 6, 2025

image of ice fisherman holding big walleye he caught in the Ely Minnesota region "Walleye fishing has steadily improved this last week. Anglers have mainly been catching quality walleyes in 10 to 16 feet of water, overnight, in their sleepers. Less active minnows like chubs have been the bait of choice for successful anglers. Glow demons in orange or green have been the colors to use.

Lake Trout - Lake Trout fishing was good for many this last week. Anglers reported catching trout in 30 to 40 feet of water. Flats and sunken islands have been the best areas to target for lakers. Blade baits, bucktails and tubes in silver, blue and chartreuse have been very effective on lakers. Suspending a sucker 5 to 10 feet off the bottom, under a tip up, has also been effective.

Stream Trout - Splake were a popular catch this last week for many stream trout anglers. Salted crappie minnows or gulp minnows, tipped on a small tungsten jig or jigging spoon, have been very effective. Key depths for Splake have been 20 to 40 feet of water. Rainbow trout have also been biting for many anglers. Small jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms have been effective for them. Key depths for them have been 5 to 15 feet under the ice over 10 to 40 feet of water.

Eelpout - Eelpout continues to pop up in anglers catches. 6 to 12 feet of water continues to be the depth anglers are finding them. Heavy spoons, loaded with minnow chunks and pounded on the bottom, have been very effective. Area anglers have been finding them near river mouths and shallow rocks." — Arrowhead Outdoors, 218-365-5358


image links to fishrapper.com Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism February 6, 2025

image of Tim "Wingnut" Hill and Roger Cormier with nice catch of walleyes and perch "Ice fishing is still going strong throughout Big Traverse Bay on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Some ice roads are now extending more than 16 miles out, with over two feet of ice reported in most areas. Resorts and outfitters continue increasing weight limits.

As a rule, fishing continues to be very good with consistent action for anglers. Most anglers are targeting deep mud with others fishing structure if available where they are going out of. There are fish in both areas. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26 to 32 feet of water. Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fish frys and bring fish home.

On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent. Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well. On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom. Don't lose patience because you never know when the fish will move through the area you're fishing. Anglers fishing the entire day normally have success. Electronics are a big help as well.

Although ice conditions on the Rainy River are good, they can also vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice.

On the Rainy River, the morning and evening hours are the best for fishing walleyes. A jig and minnow combination has been a good presentation. A jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing is still producing some big fish through the ice. There are two sturgeon seasons on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, a catch and release season and a harvest season in which you can keep one fish per calendar year.

The harvest season for sturgeon runs from April 24, 2025 thru May 7, 2025 and again beginning on July 1,2025 thru September 30, 2025. The catch and release season runs from May 8, 2025 thru May 15, 2025 and again from October 1, 2025 thru April 23, 2026.

Up at the Northwest Angle, ice fishing remains good. Resorts continue to move their fish houses staying on fish. Some fish houses are set up on structure while others are targeting deeper mud flats.

Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike, and tullibees. Good numbers of big crappies are still being caught in select areas and hard sided fish houses are available to target them. Check with a Northwest Angle resort for info.

Jigging one line, deadsticking the second is effective. Some days the jigging line is hot, other days the deadstick. Some good colors have been gold, glow red, glow white, wonder bread, pink, chartreuse and orange.

Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31, 2025 and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14, 2025. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round."  Lake of the Woods Tourism, (800) 382-FISH


image links to wired2fish Wired2Fish February 6, 2025 "Electrified Kayak : Old Town Sportsman BigWater"

image links to fishing article about using kayaks for shallow water striper fishing "In my humble opinion, striped bass might just be the perfect gamefish. They eat everything from invertebrates nearly invisible to the naked eye up to 15-inch baitfish. This means you can catch them on just about any type of gear you desire, from flies and light tackle to heavy trolling setups. Among my favorite ways to chase them is with spinning rods; the kind you might use for largemouth. In my mind, there’s no better sport than a 28-inch striper ripping drag as the reel screams.

Another cool thing about stripers is the variety of habitats they utilize. Depending on the season, you can find them in extreme shallow waters with depths measured in inches or ..." Read Full Article and Learn More >> Electrified Kayak : Old Town Sportsman BigWater


image links to fishing guide jeff sundin Jeff Sundin February 6, 2025 "A Night with the Pros" | MN Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame

image links to article about the Minnesota Fishing Museum night with the pros event "A passion for fishing, bred into us for generations gives us a common bond. Today, anglers head outside to “test our luck” on fishing lakes and streams all over the state.

The reward for our pursuits varies, for some, only participation in the highest forms of competition while deploying the latest technology is good enough. For others, standing on the bank, hoping for a bobber to go down is equally rewarding. For most of us, happiness lies fishing somewhere between.

It is rewarding to me, to remember the history of fishing in Minnesota. Honoring where we came from, and at the same time, paying attention to where we’re headed. Minnesota’s Fishing Museum, and Fishing Hall of Fame offer a connection between the two. I wholeheartedly support the Minnesota Fishing Museum, and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame. I’d love it if you would ..." Read >> "A Night with the Pros" | MN Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame 2025


image links to wired2fish Wired2Fish February 6, 2025 "Pike Using Saltwater to Invade More Habitats in SC Alaska"

image links to fishing article about invasive northern pike in Alaska waters "Invasive northern pike are expanding their territory in Alaska by using salt waterways to invade new freshwater areas in the south-central area of the state, according to a study recently published by the journal PLOS ONE titled, “Estuarine dispersal of an invasive Holarctic predator (Esox lucius) confirmed in North America.”

The study says that University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers working with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) discovered the spread of the invasive northern pike by analyzing small ear stones called otoliths from fish caught in the region. This is the first documented proof that pike are using estuaries where fresh water mixes with ocean water to colonize new territories.

The otoliths have a unique composition of strontium isotopes in their layers, which can ..." Read Article and Learn More >> Pike Using Saltwater to Invade More Habitats in SC Alaska


image links to fishing reports by Jeff Sundin February 2, 2025 "Grand Rapids Trout Fishing"

image of Joelle Bellamy holding nice rainbow trout caught near Grand Rapids MN Happily, I graduated recently from my so-called “recovery period” from a minor surgery. Since then, we’ve been thinking about ice fishing, and the kids have been lobbying for a trip on the ice too. Even though I’ve been freed from lifting restrictions, I didn’t want to tackle too much of an expedition. And since Ryder, our youngest grandson was coming along on the trip, there was an extra level of consideration regarding “ease of access to the lake.

Our kids, Joelle and Patrick love to fish for trout and that idea sounded fine to us. So, after researching a few possibilities, we settled on a nearby Grand Rapids area lake with relatively easy access, and a good supply of trout stocked by the DNR Fisheries.

When we set out on the journey, conditions were favorable, the breeze was light, and the air was dry. By the time we made it onto the ice, the wind was picking up and the skies were turning darker. Pat quickly set up the fishing shelter, and got the heater going and then he, and I started exploring. My target depth range was 10 to 15 feet, that’s been my best depth in the past. Of the holes I drilled, my first one was “the best”, I had an active fish appear on the screen almost immediately.  It raced up to my lure, took a quick swing at it but then disappeared.

image of Ryder Everson ice fishing Meanwhile, I was chatting with an ice fisherman when his fishing partner stuck his head out the door holding a respectable rainbow trout. Cool, I thought, we’re in the right neighborhood, and with luck, maybe we’ll have a good day. I moved a further down the shoreline, drilled a couple more holes and not long afterward, I experienced another “drive-by”. A trout faced up again, almost struck, then disappeared.

From outside the hub, Pat and I heard Joelle say that she had hooked a trout. The rainbow pictured here is the one she caught, another respectable trout, and another glimmer of hope for a productive day. But as we explored, the winds picked up, and no trout came to the holes Pat, and I were fishing. The cold winds finally drove us inside the tent, and there, playing with Ryder, eating hot dogs and staying warm became the primary mission. Snow started falling too, and that reinforced the “new” fishing plan.

The fish Joelle caught earlier turned out to be the only catch of the day. She caught it on a green flutter spoon, fishing in a depth of 21 feet. I know, it doesn’t exactly sound like a high-level fishing trip, but that’s okay, that’s the way it worked out. Besides, I don’t recall anyone bumming out about the catch rate, I think we were all happy just to be there. We can worry about the fishing again next time we go out.

My only regret is that nobody rigged up a comfy chair in front of the heater and tucked me in for a nap. I guess there’s a certain advantage to being 8 months old! fish smiley image — Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Office Cell Call or Text 218-245-9858 or Email


image links to fishing reports by Jeff Sundin Maps and Charts 101 | "NEW FishRapper Angling Education Section"

image of 3D chart showing mid lake humps on Lake Winnibigoshish Interpreting the information contained on paper maps and interactive electronic charts was a topic brought up in a recent reader question. In a nutshell, the reader asked where he could find basic information about definitions that outdoor writers, television hosts and other "pro-anglers" use in their reports. Answering those questions led to a week-long project aimed at helping define common terms like breaklines, bars, points and weedlines.

Those individual Q&A replies are now consolidated ito a new FishRapper web page called "Mapping and Charting 101". With the launch of that page, a completely new section of the website "Angling Education" was born. The new section will expand as we add more fishing articles, videos and fishing reports aimed at answering the basic "How-To-Questions" that anglers, new to the sport will find helpful.

As always, your questions and comments are invited, so don't be shy! fish smiley image — Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Office Cell Call or Text 218-245-9858 or Email on Facebook on X


image links to wired2fish Wired2Fish January 28, 2025 "How to Catch More Crappies During Winter Months"

image links to fishing video about how to catch crappies on Lak eof the Osarks during winter "Jack Uxa of Jack’s Guide Service on Lake of the Ozarks shares advice for finding and catching winter crappies on reservoirs. During the colder months, crappies tend to group in larger schools and hold in areas longer, making them easier to target. With the right approach and gear, anglers can experience the finest crappie fishing of the season.

HOW TO LOCATE WINTER CRAPPIES: Winter crappies gather near main lake points, docks, and brush piles. Uxa explains how to find these schools using forward-facing sonar while maintaining the proper distance to prevent spooking the school and make effortless casts. He then discusses where to ..." View Video and Learn More >> How to Catch More Crappies During Winter Months


You Are Invited To Become A Duly Deputized Fishrapper Cub Reporter Too!

image links to fishrapper facebook page If you've been waiting for a gold engraved invitation to participate in the daily reports, then stop waiting and consider this your own personal invitation.

Helping your fellow fishermen and women stay abreast of fishing conditions in your area is good for everybody and it's easier than you think! You don't have to write a book, you don't have to share your secret fishing spots and you don't even have to mention your lake. But even a few words about general trends, seasonal patterns and local weather conditions can really help.

Be like me, become a duly deputized "Cub Reporter", it's good for fishing! Contact Us or if you prefer to be "social", Fishing Reports Minnesota, the Facebook counterpart to this page is open to the public, so you can post your own fishing update or just share a photo of a nice catch.