Bemidji Area Fishing Reports by Northcountry Guide Service

[Matt Breuer]

Unless "Teacup" goes by a different name, no, I've never heard of it!

Let's start off with some ice reports... Lake Bemidji is mostly cinched up. I did find 2 good slush pockets running the sled on Sat. I would guess that this -50 degree snap will finish those off as well. Still seeing variable ice thicknesses on Bemidji, with as little as 12.5" in spots, and as much as 22" on plowed areas.

Fishing on Bemidji was absolutely fantastic until the wind switched and we went into the deep freeze. One group of renters reported non-stop action, and we had a great night on the sled last week as well, putting hooks to limits and some 'pout. Now it's more difficult, but everyone is still catching something. Friday was tough, with renters reporting 3 walleyes, 5 walleyes, and 7 walleyes in the 24 hour period, with some of them being little tikes. With some stable weather, I expect fishing to get back on track.

Smaller lakes vary. Some are like skating rinks, as the snow sucked up all of the slush/water and froze solid. Others are still holding some pockets of slush, which are hidden by a layer of crust on top. Be careful on some of the smaller lakes, especially the spring fed buggers!

Panfishing has been stellar when a guy can get out. The brutal cold makes hole hopping an arduous task. Once you locate a pod of fish, you can sure hunker over them and make hay though.

The weekend ahead looks beautiful. Can't wait to feel my fingers again!

[zero]

Unless "Teacup" goes by a different name, no, I've never heard of it!

Let's start off with some ice reports... Lake Bemidji is mostly cinched up. I did find 2 good slush pockets running the sled on Sat. I would guess that this -50 degree snap will finish those off as well. Still seeing variable ice thicknesses on Bemidji, with as little as 12.5" in spots, and as much as 22" on plowed areas.

Fishing on Bemidji was absolutely fantastic until the wind switched and we went into the deep freeze. One group of renters reported non-stop action, and we had a great night on the sled last week as well, putting hooks to limits and some 'pout. Now it's more difficult, but everyone is still catching something. Friday was tough, with renters reporting 3 walleyes, 5 walleyes, and 7 walleyes in the 24 hour period, with some of them being little tikes. With some stable weather, I expect fishing to get back on track.

Smaller lakes vary. Some are like skating rinks, as the snow sucked up all of the slush/water and froze solid. Others are still holding some pockets of slush, which are hidden by a layer of crust on top. Be careful on some of the smaller lakes, especially the spring fed buggers!

Panfishing has been stellar when a guy can get out. The brutal cold makes hole hopping an arduous task. Once you locate a pod of fish, you can sure hunker over them and make hay though.

The weekend ahead looks beautiful. Can't wait to feel my fingers again!

.

Sorry Matt, i found out it called tincup, i guess it has brown trout in it.

Just wondering if you know anything about it.

Thanks

[Matt Breuer]

Ah, by Zerkel. Never fished it. Fish other lakes in the area for trouts...

[zero]

I think so, thanks away, I'll tell you what I find out going to check it out in a week or two and this summer.

I caught rainbows and brookies, but not a brown

thanks again

[ducksnbucks]

Matt,

I just sent you a PM. Thanks.

[Matt Breuer]

Been way too busy to sit down and get online to throw up reports, but thought I would toss up a recap now that walleye season is coming to a close, to showcase other species on the prowl...

Been a banner year for crappies. They stuck to the basins most of the season, with some fish found mixed in with bluegills off the breaks and on shallow flats. Still finding them in the basins, and the bite should only continue to get better! We've had some clients pull in some brutes this year, and some good numbers of eaters as well!

Bluegills as mentioned above, have been mostly on shallow flats or suspended off of breaks. A few big ones mixed in out in the basins riding very high as well. They seem to be roaming a lot this year, more than most years. Maybe it seems that way because it's been too cold to hole hop for long periods of time. With warmth, the 'gills will become our main target!

Perch have also been a steady platform for fisherman hitting Lake Bemidji. While guests waited for the twilight walleyes bites, the perch kept them busy. Still some good perch fishing to be had!

Of course, the lesser targeted species are still out there to be had. 'Pout are getting ready to spawn, as are the 'bees! March will be a blast for both species!

Don't let the end of walleye season keep you from the ice!

[Matt Breuer]

My wife was helping a friend on Sat. morning, so our group of 3 didn't hit the water until 1pm on opening day. It took us a bit to find a school of fish and to shake off the rust, but once we did it was pretty solid. Managed our 18 fish, with 2 over 20". Ended up being a pretty nice day despite a little chop. We found all of our fish hanging around bars, and they seemed to be lake spawners. Fish were caught in 18-21' of water for the most part... We were the only people on the lake for the last few hours. It was wonderful.

Sunday we went to bigger water and still fished alone most of the day. We once again filled the limit of anglers in need, but no bigger fish. All solid 15-19" fish. Completely different bite, as we fished 7-9' of water on sand/sand grass.

Monday I guided a group for a half day and they were able to capitalize despite some really cruddy weather. Temp. had dropped 20 degrees and it was spitting rain all day. Again, a couple limits and 3 fish over 20" all caught in 7-10' of water again on sand/sand grass.

Nothing huge over the weekend, but some really solid fish. A lot of males were still milking when reeled in. On Sat. my boat was covered in it... Golden or spottail shiners worked, didn't notice a huge difference between the two like I do most years. 1/4oz. jigs were the mainstay, blue and pink dominated.

[Matt Breuer]

Haven't been on the forums in ages, but figured I'd get some reports up now that I've got a spare minute...

Ice is looking good in the Bemidji area. Not a lot of snow, and a pile of cold weather has the ice sheets in GREAT shape. Most lakes in the area have anywhere from 5-11" of ice. Use caution in current areas, or lakes with spring as ice can vary...

Fishing has been tremendous. Red has been on fire as most know, but local lakes are kicking out some fish as well.

The panfishing in the area is lit up like the holidays. Crappies and 'gills are easily located in their late-fall and typical early-ice spots.

We'll all be down at the St. Paul Ice Show this weekend, so stop and say hello and chat some fishing. We also still have openings in our rentals this winter, and have private guided snowmobile trips open yet as well...

[Jmeyers]

Nice report Matt, Thanks! what kind of auger is that in your top picture?

[BartmanMN]

Vexilar K-Drill.

[Matt Breuer]

Nice report Matt, Thanks! what kind of auger is that in your top picture?

It's a K-Drill from Ice Fishing Today. Vexilar doesn't make them... they are just sold out of the same distributing spot (AWC Distributing). I have it teamed up with a Milwaukee red lithium ion cordless drill. I also run the 8" K-Drill bit on my Clam powerhead. Love them to death, lifetime guarantee on the bits, re-open holes like a dream. Awesome bits.