Fishing Minnesota - Fishing Reports, Outdoor & Hunting News

We have all had a great fishing spot ruined. Whether it is from a mouthy friend who likes to brag, someone else finding your spot, or just dumb luck by a few locals. There isn’t much you can do other than fish with the rest of the crowd (which can amount to torture to me) or find a new honey hole. This can take a lot of work and, at least in my experience, a lot of failure before you hit pay dirt again. Many keep a log of lakes they have fished and what they have caught, sometimes even with pictures or GPS coordinates to remind them. Why keep old lakes that have gotten out in the back of your mind? Simple, because panfish, especially crappies can recover in lakes that have seen the limelight of internet forums, magazine articles, and TV shows, and can return to their once lost ... [ Read More ]

There really aren’t a lot of places where walleye angling starts out good and keeps getting better through July and August and even into September. Lake of the Woods is one such place and is a real jewel and why it might be a good idea to schedule a trip to this northern most border water. Lots of pole bending is what we’re talking about and includes fish of every size; from the smallest sauger to monster ‘eyes and everything in between. Although the action can be red hot it isn’t everywhere and there are some things to look for as well as some specialized equipment needed to be effective. Summer Walleye Pattern The predominant summer pattern is trolling basin areas with crankbaits and is super effective way to cover water and put fish in the boat. There is more than one way to get it ... [ Read More ]

I finally got into them. It was a last minute thought from Blake, last Friday, when he messaged me from work, asking “fishing tonight?” That’s all it took. I’m easy, especially when it comes to fishing. Although both of us work different jobs, we do have the same 6-2 day shift and only live two blocks from one another. This makes those last-minute decisions happen a lot easier so it was no surprise when I got home and found Blake pulling up next to the house, only minutes behind me. We headed to one of my early-spring “go to” spots, hoping the water had warmed up enough to get fish moving in shallow. I had been there a few days prior and it just wasn’t happening. Maybe it was finally ready. I keep a close eye on the water temperatures of a handful of local lakes. Doing this allows ... [ Read More ]

For decades, anglers across the country have said if they could have only one lure in their tackle box, it would be the ever versatile jig. The standard jig has so many ways it can be used to catch fish from vertical jigging and snap jigging, to casting, and pitching. This versatility, combined with the evolution of the fishing industry, allows the fisherman to have an array of choices in his tackle box. Jigs have a diversity in sizes, shapes and colors and we here at LOA, feel that the jig is something that has to be part of every fisherman’s arsenal. LOA’s Jeff Anderson has been fishing jigs since he could tie one on his first fishing rod. Jeff’s range and skill with his jig fishing put him at an elite level and he stopped by LOA country to share some tips. When it comes to ... [ Read More ]

How much does a trophy sunfish weigh? Is there a length-to weight way to gauge the weight of a trophy sunfish? What makes a sunfish weigh-out the way it does? Here are a few answers or "theories" to those questions... How much does a sunfish weigh ?  Real Picture The weight of a sunfish can have a pretty big variance depending on the time of year and body of water. Some bodies of water grow thicker and taller sunfish. A 10 inch sunfish in one lake might be a 1/4 pound off from a 10 inch sunfish from another lake. And when you start getting into the 11-12 inch fish it can be even more fluctuated. An 11-12 inch sunfish is going to be heavy no matter the lake, but the weights can still vary quite a bit. I've seen a 10 1/2 inch sunfish that was thicker than an 11 3/4 inch sunfish. But I've ... [ Read More ]

One of the most exciting fish to catch in Minnesota and the provinces of Canada is big northern pike. Big pike, for many anglers, has gone from a childhood trophy to a secondary fish in many waters, but we at LOA see big pike has an opportunity to catch a fish of a lifetime or affectionately what we call a Hawg Belly. These freshwater sharks lurk beneath the surface of a frozen lake stalking their prey along well-defined weedlines and mid lake structures with reckless abandonment. Furthermore, when other fish shut down during the fickle winter weather, the pike seem to always be on the prowl. Avid anglers relish the chance to do hand to hand combat with these ferocious fish and the sight of a blaze orange tip-up flag tripped by a Hawg Belly is welcomed sight for all. Facts about Big ... [ Read More ]

Perch are one of the tastiest freshwater fish and are a favorite amongst ice anglers everywhere.Catching them through the ice is becoming more difficult but your odds will improve with a solid game plan. You can’t catch em if you don’t know where they live; the search will turn to destroy more often if the “when and where” is understood. A quick study of a detailed contour map or handheld GPS, and consideration of these areas; shallow bays, mudflats and deep basins, will put you on top of the “feed trough”. Hammering into a school of perch is exhilarating, especially when you get into the “Pigs”; those of the 10-14 inch size. At first ice, shallow bays are a magnet to pig perch and here, the dinner bell rings. These bays often hold the healthiest weeds which in turn hold the most ... [ Read More ]

Not long ago, I wrote an article for a major ice fishing publication about a yellow perch fishing technique that’s incredibly popular in my area, but somehow continues to stay under the radar. The article was merely a brief mention, but since that time I’ve received a number of inquiries regarding the specifics of the presentation. The technique I’m referring to is fishing with bait-less wobbling spoons, known locally as “fishing hardbeads”. It began in the Saginaw Bay area, has taken Lake St. Clair by storm, and seems to work wherever perch are relatively shallow. The technique is designed to excite the fish into a feeding frenzy, and then take advantage of their gluttonous attitude. When done properly, this method of fishing may be the quickest ever single-hook method for catching perch. ... [ Read More ]