Minnesota fishing report

BRAINERD/NISSWA
Glow jigs, Flu Flu's, or plain hooks tipped with wax worms or minnows are producing a lot of sunfish and crappies in shallow water on most area lakes. Look to the bays, harbors, and boat channels to hold better numbers of fish. A few days of bright, warm weather will find these fish at their peak.
ALEXANDRIA
Crappie fishing has been decent despite the weather. Lake Geneva, Lake Darling, and Lake Oscar are the area's best bets. When the sun is out, these fish have moved shallow. You'll find the majority of these fish along the first break on cooler, cloudy days. Sunfish reports are limited, with the exception of a few smaller fish mixed in with the crappies.
ANNANDALE
The shallow bays and channels on lakes such as Clearwater, Cedar, Pleasant, and Sylvia continue to produce good numbers of crappies and a few sunfish. The turkey season has gone very well throughout the area. Hunters are reporting that birds have remained very active during the recent season as well.
BATTLE LAKE
The bay on Elbow Lake is kicking out a few crappies early and late in the day. The shallows of Blanche Lake and Clitherall Lake also are producing crappies. Sunfish have been tough to find.
CASS LAKE AREA
Crappie action has been very consistent in Allen's Bay on Cass Lake, the north arm of Kitchi Lake, and Rice Lake. Perch also are biting well in 26 to 30 feet of water all around Cass Lake and Pike Bay Lake.
CHISAGO
The shallow bay on Chisago Lake continues to produce numbers of sunfish and crappies. The south end of North Center Lake and the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom Lake are worth noting for panfish as well. The shallow shorelines and bays on most area lakes are producing panfish. Between 30 and 40 turkeys have been registered here, with a 25-pounder being the largest so far. Birds continue to come in daily and most hunters report active birds in the field.
CROSS LAKE
Crappie action continues to be spotty with warm days providing lots of action. Minnows on plain hooks are working best in the shallow bays and channels of Cross Lake, Pelican Lake, and Rush Lake.
DETROIT LAKES
The cold weather has meant a hit-and-miss crappie bite throughout the area. The south side of Cotton Lake and Little Detroit Lake are probably the area's best bets for a few crappies once the weather warms the water enough to push these fish shallow.
EAST-CENTRAL MINN.
Crappies are hitting very well on most area lakes in water as shallow as a foot. Look to Green Lake, Blue Lake, Elk Lake, Baxter Lake, and Knife Lake for numbers of active crappies. Blue Lake and Baxter are the area's best bets for sunfish.
FAIRMONT
Crappie reports are limited and a few days of sunshine would really help get these fish cranked up in this area. The only crappie action to report is taking place at the power plant on George Lake during the evening.
FARIBAULT
The panfish bite remains quiet due to cold water and cold temperatures. The turkey season has been much better than the fishing action. There are approximately 50 birds registered so far, which is up just a bit from last season. There are many more jakes than adult birds being taken so far and most hunters are happy with the number of birds they're seeing in the field.
GRAND RAPIDS
The cool water hasn't helped the crappie bite at all. It's been so cold it even snowed a few nights earlier this week that the number of anglers fishing also has been minimal. The shallow bays and channels on most area lakes should start producing panfish as soon as it warms up.
HUTCHINSON
The crappie bite has been spotty. Look to Lake Allie for a few crappies and Lake Washington for an occasional flurry of sunfish activity, but that's been about it. The water is still very cold, which has kept the majority of panfish out of the shallows.
LAKE KABETOGAMA
The Ash River and Sullivan Bay areas are the best targets for early season crappies. It hasn't been real consistent yet, but it's been cold and the ice just went out, which hasn't helped.
LAKE WACONIA
Waconia Bay is giving up crappies near the standing reeds, just on top of the matted milfoil in six feet of water. The north shore, near Nelson's Flat, is also giving up crappies. In these same areas, you'll find quite a few sunfish, although the majority of them have been small.
LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH
There aren't many anglers out chasing perch yet. Everyone in this area seems to be geared up for the walleye season. Look to the shallow shoreline and points for the best action this weekend.
LAKE OF THE WOODS
There really isn't much to report as far as fishing goes. Most anglers are waiting for the walleye season to open this weekend. The good news is that the lake is wide open. The ice completely went out last week, even in the Northwest Angle area.
LEECH LAKE
Panfish reports are tough to come by in this area. The cooler water has kept these fish from moving into the shallows. The walleye opener should go well here. Look for better numbers of fish to be concentrated in shallow water.
MADISON LAKE
The sawmill area on East Jefferson Lake is producing a few crappies. Madison Lake and the Second Point area on Lake Washington are producing crappies in deep water, 24 to 28 feet. The weather also has affected the turkey hunt in this area. There aren't many big birds being harvested, with jakes making up the majority of registered turkeys.
MILLE LACS
Crappie action has slowed during midday hours. The early morning and evening hours are giving up a few fish. Look to Father Hennepin, Izaty's and Mac's Twin Bay as a few of the better spots. Most channels and harbors along the south end also are giving up a few crappies and perch.
ORTONVILLE
The evening walleye bite has been best on Big Stone Lake, although it hasn't been real consistent. The Lagunna Beach and the Meadowbrook areas are your best bets with minnows or leeches under slip bobbers working best.
PARK RAPIDS
The crappies are biting, but mainly in deeper water. Fish Hook Lake and Long Lake are your best bets in eight to 12 feet of water. Look for the shallower bays and shoreline areas on these lakes to start holding more crappies as soon as the weather warms. Sunfish, at least good-sized fish, have been tough to find.
PERHAM AREA
Panfish reports are minimal due to the cold and windy weather. Not only have the fish been tough to find, but the number of anglers going out has been minimal due to the weather. These fish should really get active again with the first hint of warm, bright weather.
RAINY LAKE
Northern pike are very active in the shallow bays and along the shorelines. Black Bay hasn't started giving up any crappies yet. The good news is that the ice is completely gone, so there shouldn't be any concerns for the opener.
RED LAKE
The ice is out, but the open-water crappie bite has been slow to develop. There are a few fish biting in shallow water along the shorelines in this area. Small jigs and minnows are working best. This bite will pick up once the water warms a bit. The fish are there, but the cold water has kept them from actively feeding.
RED WING
The walleye bite has slowed down a bit. The post-spawn bite has spread the majority of fish out on the Mississippi River. Look to Lock and Dam 3, the Wisconsin Channel, and Bay City Flats; three-way rigs and crawlers or crankbaits have worked best. There are a lot of turkey hunters in this area and the number of birds registered reflects that. Harvest totals are up and the biggest bird taken weighed just under 28 pounds.
SAUK CENTRE AREA
Bailey's Bay on the north end of Sauk Lake is kicking out sunfish and crappies. Fairy Lake and the south side of East Long Lake are also giving up a few panfish.
SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA
The streams are clear and low, which has meant tough fishing for trout anglers. The fish are spooked so fly fishing has been more productive than spinners or jigs. The Root River is best with slightly stained water keeping the fish more active. Rain would help dirty the water and improve fishing.
ST. CLOUD AREA
The shallow bays and channels on Cedar Island Lake, East Lake, and Schnieder Lake are producing a few crappies and numbers of smaller sunfish. The Sauk River Chain of Lakes also is producing quite a few catfish on crawlers or minnows.
STARBUCK AREA
There are a few sunfish coming from the Starbuck Marina on Lake Minnewaska. Fish Hatchery Bay on the Glenwood end of Minnewaska is producing limited sunfish and crappie action in 8 to 10 feet of water as well. The fish are in deeper water.
TWIN CITIES
SOUTHWEST METRO -- Anglers fishing from shore on Lake Bavaria and Stieger Lake are finding consistent crappie action. The southwest corner of Lake Riley and the channel on Lake Minnewashta are giving up crappies for anglers fishing in boats. Pink and white or pink and green jigs have worked best tipped with wax worms or small minnows. The sunfish being caught have been relatively small on most lakes.
NORTHWEST METRO -- The channels and bays are producing crappies and a few sunfish in five to eight feet of water on several area lakes. The bite has been best when the sun is out. Look to lakes such as Howard, Maple, and Ramsey for better numbers of good-sized panfish.
NORTHEAST METRO -- When the sun shines, the crappie bite has been consistent in less than six feet of water. Lakes such as Linwood, Peltier, White Bear, and Beaver are your best bets. There are a few sunfish mixed in with the crappies.
LAKE MINNETONKA -- The crappie bite has involved a lot of work in recent days. In short, the bite has been tough. The fish that are hitting are coming from six to nine feet of water along the north side of most bays. Sunfish reports are pretty limited as well, with just a few fish coming from five to seven feet.
WHITEWATER AREA
The turkey season has gone well here and the birds have remained active. As this issue went to press there were already 12 birds registered for the first day of the fifth season. In all, 169 turkeys have been registered here with a 25 pounder being the largest. Most of the trout coming in from area streams have weighed just under five pounds.
WILLMAR
Shoreline crappie reports have been scarce due to the cold and wind. Lakes such as Andrew, Norway, Games, and Foot are probably your best bets. It will improve once the weather does. Smaller jigs and wax worms have worked best on these sluggish crappies.