new guy

[northspear]

Hello everyone! Im from bemidji and plan on moving to the duluth area. Im an ice fishermen and really like to spear and tip up fish. I was just wondering if there is anyone that spears around the area. and what good lakes there are for pike, walleye, and some pan fish. Anything helps. Thanks!

[Northlander]

Keep reading the local reports for panfish and walleye reports.

For spearing check the spearing forum but I would recomend Rice Lake or parts of Fish Lake.

[Jarrid Houston]

northspear, I moved from bemidji in 06'. Fishing is a little different here, being the lakes are numbered compared to Bemidge...However, you'll learn them after putting in a little time. I would take notes from the threads to get started, and start exploring. Feel free to PM me if your interested in getting out someday. Good luck...

[traveler]

I'm a transplant here as well, though it's been over 20 years now (nope, still not a "local"

I'm from Central MN, and the local lakes here are kinda...lame, compared to what I grew up with. BUT, theres Lake Superior, the St.Louis river fishery,the BWCA wjthin striking distance, Vermillion, LOTW (kind of)...So while the opps are different, they are sure out there.

I find myself doing less day to day fishing (unlesss Superior is producing) and more weekend trips. Doesn't help for a local spearing lake I guess.

And i apologize in advance for calling the local lakes "lame!"

[Surface Tension]

Your going to like it around here. Lots of lakes and diversity.

Then there is Lake Superior.

Like said look at the reports thread and go from there.

DNR Lake Finder is a good place to find info and lake accesses.

There is a fairly new thread on some of the clearer lakes to spear.

We don't have a lot of lakes with "Special Regs" but double check.

St Louis River and Harbor has a slot for eyes.

[northspear]

well thanks guys. and its not my choice to move to duluth. my girlfriend is from there and wants to move back. so i figure what the heck. i do like the duluth area but i was just not sure on the fishing part. i know the bemidji lakes really well now. but im always up for a new lake and studying it.

Thanks for all the tips.

[BD110]

Welcome,

Seeing how you mentioned Northerns Caribou lake is a managed lake. The lake is just outside Duluth and has a slot limit for Northern pike. I haven't fished it in a couple of years but it's a lake that would be worth a look. It may also work for some of your pan fish interest as well.

[Jarrid Houston]

I have fished Caribou before, there are a decent amount of pike in there, but in my experience the size of them runs a little small. But I am sure there are some bigger ones in there, just like any other lake...

[Steve Foss]

well thanks guys. and its not my choice to move to duluth. my girlfriend is from there and wants to move back. so i figure what the heck. i do like the duluth area but i was just not sure on the fishing part. i know the bemidji lakes really well now. but im always up for a new lake and studying it.

Thanks for all the tips.

We have a cabin on a lake 10 miles north of Bemidji, and have been fishing that area for over 25 years. Great stuff around there. But when we moved to Duluth, I had a great time exploring new water. One thing to remember is there are a TON of lakes within striking distance in Wisconsin, which is only a non-resident fishing license away. When I lived down there, it was in Superior, so I was already a Sconnie resident, but got a non-res Minnesota license and had a flat out blast fishing new water in both states.

[tacklejunkie]

Rice Lake is good for pike in numbers and eating size.

Not had good luck on Island but some swear by, or at, it. The St Louis River is great for walleyes in spring and most of summer.

[live4chrome]

Rice Lake is good for pike in numbers and eating size.

Not had good luck on Island but some swear by, or at, it. The St Louis River is great for walleyes in spring and most of summer.

used to be, until it got fished out.

[Northlander]

Still plenty of Pike in Rice Lake Chadwick you just have to get away from the usual haunts that people used to pound. I used to fish it a lot and just walk out on early ice or have someone pull me with a wheeler or something. I drove a few times but after seeing trucks go through and someone die not far off the landing that everyone uses I stay away from there.

I think its BD110's favorite pike lake.

[Fish Slayer]

Northspear,

I am from Duluth and now living in Bemidji so let me know if you are interested in exchanging some info sometime.