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By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted
On the south end... Lake of the Woods ice fishing is still going strong. Ice trails and ice roads are doing well. Some anglers report slush when going off of the roads and creating their own trails. Good idea to work through your favorite resort and outfitter this time of year. Ice fishing is still readily available if you want to get out. Both day houses and sleeper houses are out and can be through March 31st. The forecast ahead has high 30's during the day and teens at night. Work through a resort or outfitter as they monitor conditions closely on their ice roads. The walleye and sauger season extends through April 14 and the pike season never closes. Perch, eelpout, tullibees and crappies are also in season. A good week of fishing for some, mixed for others. Walleyes seem to be moving this time of year. If you are on them, it is normally good. The combo of the jigging line and deadstick is working well. One day they want it moving, the other, the deadstick is the ticket. Huge pike continue to be active with good reports this week. Setting up in 5 - 15 feet of water is the depth most anglers are targeting. On the Rainy River... The morning / evening bite has been best for walleye anglers. This time of year, extra caution is needed if fishing around moving water. No open water fishing to report as of yet. On the Rainy River, ice can go out quickly, only Mother Nature knows. We will keep you posted. Remember, on Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River, catch and release only for walleyes and saugers through April 14th. The big lake is still open for harvesting walleyes and saugers through April 14th. Up at the NW Angle... Good walleye and pike reports by anglers this week up at the Angle. Like the south end, a plain hook or small glow jig with a live minnow has been working well. Walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, big pike and eelpout in the mix. Crappies continue being caught on the Ontario side of the lake amongst the islands. We recommend using a guide as ice conditions amongst the islands with current and neck down areas, etc. For those looking to access the NW Angle while avoiding customs, snowmobiling across the lake on the marked trails are in good shape or utilizing the Lake of the Woods Passenger (bombardier) Service keeps you in Minnesota. During the open water months, boating across or charter boat service is available keeps you out of Canada. -
By Hookmaster · Posted
Drove out again on Tonka yesterday late afternoon and fished sundown. Six other vehicles on the bay. Ice in great shape. Lost a lot of snow since last Wednesday. Snow melt starting to drain down the access so that'll go first. My hot spot was still hot but not as many bigger crappie. Had to coax them a little to bite. Still got a 12 (inhaled the jigging spoon), a couple 11s and several 9-10. They were 80-90 feet away from where I caught them last week in 20-22' instead of 18-20' maybe because of the bright sun. Gotta love LiveScope for helping to find them. At 4:24 pm (spring solstice) I thought the fish might start jumping out of the holes or at least go on a ravenous bite, but nothing changed. When all that bit were little bluegill I went looking for the crappie and didn't find them. I did find 2 schools of sunfish. One in 15' that had 7" fish and one in 18' on a ridge between shoreline and a hump that separates 2 deeper holes. Those were 8" average. -
By Wanderer · Posted
I rarely buy live bait in the summer also, with the exception of leeches. But all of it needs to be kept cool and oxygenated so the bait coolers do prove their value. You might want to shop around for bait prices though. Maybe out of the 7 county metro you could call ahead. I found decoy suckers for $3 each over the winter. -
By gimruis · Posted
Part of my issue with live bait is that it generally results in a higher hooking mortality than artificial does, especially in the heat of summer. 95% of what I catch is intended to be released, so in order to maximize that, it helps to avoid using live bait. I'm not saying you can't accidentally kill a fish with artificial that is deep hooked, because you certainly can. But as a general rule, they are more often hooked in the mouth with artificial. The cost is also ridiculous for some live bait too. Crappie minnows and waxies aren't bad, but when you start talking shiners, jumbo leeches, and decoy suckers...it gets out of hand quickly. The last time I bought a big decoy sucker for muskie fishing years ago, they were $14 each. 15 bucks for a dozen shiners and half of them are dead by the time you get to the lake? Take my left arm too why don't ya. -
By Bloatlord · Posted
End of April is my guess for lakes along the I90 corridor. -
By Rick · Posted
A weekly list of news briefs about fish, wildlife, and habitat management.Discuss below - to view set the hook here. -
By leech~~ · Posted
Great. Have to swing by soon to see what they have, then over to Petti Bros for some jerky and sticks! -
By Dash 1 · Posted
Great news. They opened last Wednesday. Sounds like it’s about twice as big. Looking forward to checking it out soon. -
By Luv2BowHunt · Posted
It was dismissed before court via email correction from enforcement officer Robert Gorecki. -
By Luv2BowHunt · Posted
It was dismissed before court via email correction from enforcement officer Robert Gorecki.
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Question
stoneeyes317
I have read somewhere here that using a mono backing, or taping a reel before attaching fireline helps with the operation of your drag. I would prefer not using a mono backing, so what type of tape and how much should I use on my spinning reel?? I bought some fireline crystal last week @ Cabelas and I'd like to get it on before next weekend. Any advice is greatly appreciated...
eyes317
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