Minnesota Fishing Reports April 2018

Current Report • Saved Reports • Fish Videos • Fish Articles • Fishing Links • Guided Fishing Trips • Fish Recipes

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report "Countdown to the Minnesota Walleye Opener" April 30, 2018

They say a picture is worth 1000 words and after our Sunday drive around the McGregor area, I've got more pictures than I know what to do with.

I've been getting a lot of emails asking about the ice conditions specific to one lake or another. Knowing that I'll never have enough time to write back about every one of them individually, I thought it best to just take a tour and grab some pictures. Since there were a few questions about Big Sandy Lake in particular, we decided to take a Sunday drive south from Grand Rapids, through McGregor and then west to Hwy 169 for the return trip home.

Except for Big Sandy, the lakes that we stopped at were chosen in random order and for no particular reason. One of them, Turner Lake on Hwy 210 was already wide open, completely ice free. The rest of them were still covered with varying amounts of sloppy looking, candled ice. We did not see a single lake that had enough ice to support foot traffic and most of them were only within days of being totally ice free.

The target lake, Big Sandy had been the topic of discussion on one of the social pages on Saturday. The reader's question about about an estimated ice-out date for the lake was answered by somebody who's obviously been locked up inside. His answer was 3 weeks, but we saw the lake with our own eyes yesterday and the ice on Big Sandy will be lucky to last until tomorrow. In fact, I'm sure that the photos I have linked to this map are already obsolete; they were taken at about 2:00 PM on April 29, 2018. By now, there are probably hundreds of more acres of open water that did not exist at that time.

Anyway, this will be the last report that focuses on when the ice will go out. That's because after what we saw yesterday, I can assure you that there's no need to worry. There will definitely be open water for the walleye opener in 2 weeks.

I'd say most, if not all of the smaller lakes in north central Minnesota will be ice free within a week. The larger lakes, especially ones with clear water are warming a bit more slowly, so they may still have some ice remaining after this week, but I can't see any reason to expect it to impede anglers from fishing on the opener.

For today, view the images from our Sunday drive by clicking on the yellow dots. For tomorrow, lets start talking about fishing again and the countdown to opening day! - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Wired2Fish April 30, 2018 "The Wrong and Right Way to Set the Hook Flipping and Pitching"

Don't make this common mistake on the hookset with a flipping and pitching rig. Tommy Biffle shows us how to do it properly.

Most bass anglers spend a good deal of their fishing season slinging a Texas-rigged worm or creature bait around the shallows - let's call it flipping and pitching. It's fun and produces big-time bites, but also spells big-time misses if you're setting the hook wrong.

Tommy Biffle is a Jedi master with a flipping stick in hand and highlights the biggest mistake he sees anglers make when they get bit. He then outlines the proper way to set the hook to get a 1-pound or 10-pound bass away from the cover and headed toward the boat." Learn More >> The Wrong and Right Way to Set the Hook Flipping and Pitching

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report "Countdown to the Minnesota Walleye Opener" April 29, 2018

Images of open water in north central Minnesota are getting easier to find every day. On Saturday, there was open water along the shoreline edges of every lake we stopped at. Most of them were barely beginning to open, but in some cases, the open water areas were expansive.

Sadly, there’s snow cover left, except for areas protected by heavy shade, so over the short term, we can’t count on any heavy runoff to help speed up the ice-out.

Even without the aid of running water, ice is already melting fast and today, Mother Nature is bringing us an extra special gift. She’s bringing in sunny skies, temperatures in the high 60’s and strong winds. Not just any strong wind, NOAA has issued a “Red Flag Warning”; winds could gust up to 30 MPH! On Monday, highs in the 70’s, sunny again and more wind. For Tuesday, rain and continued warm temperatures.

Remember the article, “Lake Ice- Lake Ice from a Recreational Perspective” that I referenced last week? In it, the author writes; “Top Surface Melting is most strongly driven by warm wind. A 24 hour, 50 degree thaw with winds in the 20-30 mph range can melt a couple inches or more of ice.”

Apply those statistics to our current forecast and it means that we’re going to lose as many as 6 inches of ice over the next 3 days. On most of the lakes I’ve seen, that would easily take out at least 1/3 of the ice sheets that currently exist. Actually, on some of the lakes we visited this Saturday, these conditions will take out all of the remaining ice cover in just a few days.

Let's not forget that ice will melt faster on April 29th than it would on March 29, even if the weather is identical. That's because the angle of the sun is more direct now than it was during winter. The solar, internal melting effect is greatest when there is no cloud cover, but even on a cloudy day, radiant heat reaches below the surface of the ice. "This causes relatively slow loss of thickness but can dramatically weaken the ice. Thicker ice takes longer to weaken but it also takes longer to recover its strength when the weather turns cold."; the Lake Ice article says.

My supposition about open water for the walleye opener was supported further yesterday evening by images of folks out on their lakes, breaking up the ice, installing docks and fishing from kayaks. In my own case, I was able to identify 2 well known Walleye lakes that are guaranteed to be ice free well before the fishing opener. So now I have both “Plan A” and “Plan B” already in place.

For me, this means that my prediction of ice-out on May 3rd will be at least partially correct. More importantly, for Minnesota anglers, the likelihood of having open water for the fishing opener on May 12th, 2018 is very high.

Ice-out aside, the north central region of Minnesota remains very dry. Even if it doesn’t arrive in time to help melt the ice, it would be fantastic to receive some heavy rainfall to raise water levels. So if you’re like me, optimistic about the ice out, then I think it’s a good idea to start focusing our special requests on some rain.

Work on it however you like, do a rain dance, chant your mantra, say a prayer or just wiggle your nose. Don’t be over-eager though, we just want some rain, not a typhoon so over-do it!

- Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Bowen Lodge "Lake Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux 2018 Fishing Outlook" April 27, 2018

"The ice on Little Cutfoot is receding and there is open water at the Mosomo campground that stretches southward past the steel posts where the DNR sets up the walleye egg harvest operation. Open water at the landing on the south shore of Little Cutfoot is surrounded by soft ice and on Thursday, the wind forced that ice to pulsate like a rolling wave.

That rolling action means that the ice has "candled" and is no longer rigid enough to remain stationary during a strong wind and that Little Cutfoot is likely to be ice free in the very near future.

The late ice melt may not allow us a ton of extra time to prepare the marina and the grounds for the upcoming fishing opener. But we do feel optimistic that all systems are green for go and that the resort will be ready for the fishing opener.

Overall, the 2018 fishing forecast for Lake Winnibigoshish is a good one, especially for versatile anglers who take advantage of opportunity when it comes along.

Like you, we would definitely like to see a strengthening of Lake Winnie’s Walleye population. That said populations of catchable walleyes remain stronger than many realize. A testament to this was the fantastic walleye fishing that occurred on Winnie during the past winter. Anglers enjoyed some of the most consistent winter fishing action that they’ve experienced in many years. In fact, ice fishing for walleye exceeded the expectations of many anglers who tried it this winter. What fueled the good fishing action were primarily walleyes from the ..." Read >> 2018 Winnibigoshish Fishing Outlook

St. Croix River Under No-Wake Restriction Washington County Sheriff's Office April 26, 2018

image of no wake zone The St. Croix River has exceeded the 683.0’ threshold for a 'Slow-No Wake' Zone from Taylors Falls to the Mississippi River in Prescott, WI; signs will be posted at the accesses and marinas. The river is predicted to rise to 686.3’ by Wednesday May 2nd.

The St Croix River in Stillwater is predicted to exceed 683 feet late Tuesday April 24th or early Wednesday April 25th enacting

The St Croix River level predictions may change due to additional precipitation and extend the 'Slow-No Wake' timeframe. Marinas and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) public water accesses along the St Croix River will be posted advising of the 'Slow-No Wake' Zone.

"Slow-no wake" means the operation of a watercraft at the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage and in no case greater than five miles per hour.

The no wake zone protects boaters from flood related hazards such as floating debris and river currents. The no wake zone also helps minimize damage to shorelines, levees, and islands which are more vulnerable to damage from wakes during high water events.

April 25, 2018 - "Leech Lake Ice Conditions Report"

On April 24, 2018 Charles Bigler wrote; Q) "Have you heard much about Leech Lake? I would like to get out one more time this Thursday off of pine point!

A) Charles, I reached out to my friend Josh Bullivant at Trapper's Landing Lodge (218-326-2500) for some advice about Leech Lake yesterday.
Josh wrote; "Yes there are still people heading out up there. Some of the ice is starting to get a little weak around the edges for truck traffic but ATV traffic is still good. Perch fishing has been great and getting better."

Josh's report, along with the photos he sent over were almost persuasive enough to make me put the boat back in the garage and head over there. But I'm gonna stick with my plan and focus on open water which by the way, is coming quickly and that leads me giving you a word of caution.

The ice is probably still okay for another trip on Thursday, but no one can be 100% sure about that. There are already some reports about anglers breaking through the ice on other lakes while driving ATV's, including one that ended with a fatality. Conditions are changing so fast right now that there's no way to predict when "good ice" will turn to bad ice. Like I said on Monday, I need all of the readers I can get, so please be extra cautious and if it looks questionable, play it safe and bail out.

News Release April 25, 2018 "Penn State says wilderness is too risky for outdoors clubs"

042518 Is there any wonder why participation in outdoor sports is declining?

Here's an article from the Associated Press that ran in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press on April 23, 2018. I think this one will leave you scratching your head!

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. "A near-century-old outdoor recreation club will now refrain from going outside because it is too dangerous out in the wilderness, according to officials at Penn State University.

The Penn State Outing Club, originally founded in 1920, announced last week that the university will no longer allow the club to organize outdoor, student-led trips starting next semester. The hiking, camping and other outdoors-focused activities the student-led club has long engaged in are too risky, the university’s offices of Student Affairs and Risk Management determined.

Richard Waltz, the Outing Club’s current president, said that the decision was made by an ..." Learn More >> Wilderness Trips Too Risky For Outdoor Clubs

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 24, 2018 "Our Icy Days Are Numbered"

image of ice conditions at deer river On Sunday, I was surprised, I thought finding areas of flooded ice and open water would be easier; but signs of ice-out were tough to locate.

On Monday, I was surprised, I thought finding areas of flooded ice and open water would be harder; but signs of ice-out were easy to locate.

I guess that goes to show how fast the sunshine can work whenever it gets the chance.

The upshot of my own tour on Monday was that ice conditions are deteriorating fast. The ice at boat landings is softening and many of them are now engulfed by pools of open water. Small rivers like the one you see here are cracking wide open and the so is the Mississippi River. In fact, Jake Premo at Four Seasons Resort posted the photo of a nearly ice-free river at the west shore of Lake Winnibigoshish just yesterday. The Rainy River is now open all the way out to the gap on Lake of the Woods as well.

image of ice conditions at Cutfoot Sioux I stopped at Little Cutfoot and although open water was advancing well past the bridge, there was still no open water at the pipes where the walleye egg harvest will eventually take place. That places the annual egg harvest well behind the average schedule and we are now officially 3 days past the dates that the harvest was completed in both 2017 and 2016.

I stopped at the US Forest Service landing at the Williams Narrows Campground on Cutfoot. I spoke with two men who were preparing to travel onto the lake using an ATV. They had fished Cutfoot on Saturday, found 24 to 26 inches of solid ice and expected to find good ice again today.

The anglers cautioned about deteriorating conditions on smaller lakes though. “Small panfish lakes, especially the ones with dark water are getting bad fast. We were out on one small lake last week and the auger was pulling out big chunks of wet ice as we drilled. It won’t be long before the ice gets really dangerous on some of those little lakes.”

Further advancement of the notion that ice conditions are becoming dangerous came in the form of a conversation with a friend of mine. He reported about one angler breaking through the ice on Lake Vermilion while traveling by ATV. I could not find official confirmation of this report, but will update later.

Another report from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department confirms the fatality of 82 year old Wallace Schulke of Wright, Minnesota. The ice accident occurred on Prairie Lake near Floodwood, MN this Monday. Authorities say 61-year-old son, Mark Schulke of Duluth, was able to climb back on top of the ice after their side by side vehicle broke through the ice. Schulke stayed under water for about 20 minutes before his body was recovered.

No matter where you're travelling, the time to exercise extreme caution on the ice has arrived. I need all of the readers I can get, so please be careful out there!

If you're thinking about Sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River, the outlook is improving. There were some mixed reports, but most of the fishermen reported slow action on Saturday. Many of them noted that Sunday was somewhat better and by Monday, there were more fish being caught and they were larger too.

Sturgeon should begin advancing into the river now that the water connecting to the main lake has opened up. The number of fish entering the river will increase rapidly as long as the weather remains stable. Despite a slight temperature drop today, conditions do appear to be favorable for most of this week.

A parting thought about whether we'll see ice-out in time for the fishing opener on May 12th, 2018.

As far behind as it feels this year, spring's arrival is still well ahead of the scenario that played out during the spring of 2013. At this time 5 years ago, the ground was still covered with snow and we were still waiting for warm weather to arrive. On April 24, 2013 I wrote; "Brace yourselves, go find your goulashes and move the livestock to high ground! In a few days, we're gonna have more water than we know what to do with! Temperatures in the 60 degree range are predicted for the weekend and that is a serious warm up!

There's gonna be a lot of snow looking for somewhere to go. Granted, a lot of it will be in puddles on top of the ice for a while, but at least that will help get the ball rolling toward an eventual ice-out.

If you've been grumbling about the long winter, then unpack your smiles again and puh-leeease, start using them! The folks who find themselves under water might just need the support!"

That was then and this is now, Mother Nature seems to be playing along more nicely this year. As warm as the weather is this week, the temperatures are predicted to get even better for next week. How can that not make you wanna stand up and cheer? - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Lake of the Woods, Border View Lodge April 24, 2018

image of rainer river "The River in front of us is now open! It’s surprising what a couple days in the 60’s will do to the ice. The landing next to us was opened up on Monday morning. The weather here is beautiful! Spring has Finally arrived!

Walleye season is now closed. However, Sturgeon and Northern fishing are open. Right now, the landing by us isn’t open, but should be opening soon. We will keep you updated on those conditions.

We are still working on our spring remodel projects, with the Great Cabin ready to go, and the deck on the main lodge completely removed, we are prepping the site for the retaining wall. Can’t wait to see it finished!

Burger Night is back and very popular, Friday nights 4.25 for a ¼ pound single, or 5.25 for a ½ pound double, build your own burger bar with chips. Saturday is Taco Night! 7.50 for all you can eat build your own tacos. Both nights were a hit as we sold out of both Burgers and Tacos! Be sure to join us next week for these great specials!

Guided Sturgeon fishing packages are now available for April and May. As soon as the Wheelers Point access is clear and we can put in boats, we will be guiding for Sturgeon through May 7th." - 1-800-776-3474 Border View Lodge

Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism April 24, 2018

"Starting with lake... ice took a beating by Mother Nature this weekend. Large cracks on the lake with thin and soft ice near shore. Lots of ice on the lake once out. Safety first. Ice roads closed, travel at your own risk. Big pike are being caught in pre-spawn areas and shallow bays. Live suckers, big smelt, or hot dogs working. Minnows of all kinds must be authorized through bait dealers. Auger extensions still needed.

Rainy River sturgeon fishing... anglers who stayed mobile to search out good holes fared better. Many 60+ inch fish caught. Finding deeper holes and laying a sturgeon rig (18" leader of 60 lb test with a 5/0 circle hook) with a crawler/shiner mix and a 4-5 ounce no roll sinker is the ticket. All Rainy River Landings (including Wheeler's Point) are now open to all boats. Landings in bays away from current will take a little longer.

Around the lake, pike being caught through the ice in back bays and areas adjacent to spawning areas. As ice is off of bays, anglers will target them by boat. If venturing on ice, have a partner, take precautions and have necessary safety gear. Ice deteriorating very quickly." – Lake of the Woods Tourism, (800) 382-FISH

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 23, 2018 "Preparing the Preparable"

There’s still a couple feet of ice out there, but it's weakening more every day now. I've found one good way to monitor the progress; click on the image or follow the link to view the Williams Narrows Resort Web Cams. They have cameras pointing both toward Big Cutfoot Sioux and toward First River. I’ve been fascinated by checking in every few hours because I am literally watching the ice melt, albeit little by little.

Even though I could still go ice fishing for a few more days, I’m not gonna and even knowing almost for sure that I could probably catch a sturgeon by driving up to the Rainy River, I’m not gonna do that either.

Instead, this year I’m remembering my own past mistakes and I’m planning to avoid the temptation of playing outside right now. Instead, I’ll use this gorgeous weather to better advantage by using it to make sure that I’ve got my boat, trailer and outboard rock solid before the weather turns crummy again.

Today is the day that I’m clearing a path out of the garage and pulling the boat into the daylight for its spring inspection. I’ll get her all cleaned up and ready for some summer upgrades, but before I do, she’s gonna get her routine maintenance looked after first. I’ll be having the brakes checked getting the batteries tested and having the wheel bearings replaced.

Once I’ve got the routine stuff taken care of, it’s gonna be time to add some fun upgrades like a new Humminbird Helix 12 and this year, I’m adding a bow mount trolling motor too.

Although I remain died in the wool as a tiller man, I just can’t overlook the usefulness of MinnKota’s bow mount features. Using the “spot-lock” feature is going to save me a lot of time this summer by holding my boat in the right place at the right time. Having the trolling power of the big bow mount is going to make it easier for trolling spinners this summer and integrating the Lakemaster Charts with the bow mount will help me stay on fish more accurately too.

While I’m working on all of that, the ice will be melting away at its own speed; which by the way, has accelerated today. Overnight temperatures remainednm above freezing last night and we’re heading toward a daytime high of almost 70 degrees today. This should help weaken the ice on a lot of lakes and I’ll bet that we see physical evidence of the change within a few days now. - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

CBS WCCO TV Facebook Nomination "Best Minnesota Fishing Guide" April 23, 2018

I AM thoroughly grateful for those of you who have helped me out, by plugging my name on WCCO's facebook poll asking about popular fishing guides in Minnesota. I'm not really sure what, if anything actually happens as a result of your participation, but I sure do appreciate your vote of confidence.

Contrary to popular belief, being a full time fishing guide is a humble career, not a glamorous one. I believe that it's best suited for folks who love people and want to serve them. I have especially appreciated comments from those of you who have seen that in me and mentioned it. Thank You!! I promise not to get a swelled head by reading!

New Video April 23, 2018 Fish ED "Lindy Rigging For Post Blow Walleyes"

"Nothing feels better than the first calm, sunny day that comes after a major wind storm.

But walleyes, recovering from turbulent conditions and heavy feeding binges, can be tougher to catch under the Bluebird skies.

This week Jon Thelen reveals tips and tricks for Lindy Rigging that will help you capitalize on “post blow” conditions and put more walleyes in your boat." View Video >> Lindy Rigging For Post Blow Walleyes

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 22, 2018 "How Fast Can Lake Ice Melt?"

At Grand Rapids, ice thickness hadn't changed much by Saturday afternoon. I measured 25 inches of ice on Pughole Lake, a small lake that freezes fairly quickly during early winter. Even though the ice thickness had not been reduced significantly since my last visit, the condition of the ice has. As you see in the photo, there was about 6 inches of heavy, wet slush distributed uniformly across the top of the ice. I like seeing that because the added moisture will help saturate the ice, making it darker and allowing the sun to warm it even more quickly.

Not long ago, I was on a fishing trip with Jason Feldner, Perch Eyes Guide Service and friends at Devils Lake. For most of the trip, we were driving pickups on the ice and moving around the lake freely. Toward the end of the last day, conditions at the landing were deteriorating and although the ice itself was lake was still in great shape, sloppy mud and sand made accessing the ice difficult.

Speculation about how much longer anglers would be able to safely fish led to a discussion in which Jason said something that made me realize he’s watched the “ice-out” process a lot more closely than I have. “There's always a way to get out there, so they'll be able to fish for a while yet, you just have to watch the ice. First the ice will turn white, then it will turn dark; that’s still okay. After that, it will turn light again and that’s when you really have to watch out; that’s when it get dangerous!”

I’ve been thinking about his words ever since and they made me realize that collectively, anglers spend a lot of time talking about “WHEN” the ice will go out. But we don’t talk very much about “How or Why” ice actually melts.

Since Mother Nature has decided to give us extra time to study the subject this spring, I AM.

I started with one simple question; “How fast can lake ice melt?” Luckily, I discovered that there are lots of folks who have already studied the subject extensively. It’s obvious that they are a lot smarter than me and that’s why I’m recommending that you follow along as I read this excellent article that details the thawing process from beginning to end.

In the article, "Lake Ice, ice from a recreational perspective", I learned; “The minimum thickness recommended for activities on cold ice gets a lot of attention but more people break through ice that is weakened by thawing than break through cold ice that is too thin. Roughly half the fatalities in North America probably would not have happened if the weather had stayed consistently below …” Learn More >> Lake Ice From A Recreational Perspective

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 21, 2018 "Mother's Friendly Game of Football"

I’m learning that watching the weather forecast and anticipating its impact on ice-out is lot like watching a Vikings game. At the moment, it looks like we’re in the game, but we won’t know if we’re actually winning until after the 2 minute warning.

Right now, surface snow cover is melting really fast, feeder creeks and rivers are open and some of the ice around boat ramps or user developed landings is breaking up. But on the lakes, there are persistent reports of ice thicknesses ranging from 20 to 30 inches and we continue to see folks driving light trucks, apparently safely, on Grand Rapids area lakes.

Temperatures remain warm enough to reduce the supply of ice by a little bit every day, so that's the bright side. On the gloomy side, conditions throughout the area remain dry and the subsequent lack of runoff from melting snow is slowing down the ice-out process.

A good rain storm would really do wonders for those of us up here in north central Minnesota’s drought region!

With at least another 5 days of warm weather predicted, I am cautiously optimistic that we can still see ice out on a lot of lakes by my originally predicted date, May 3, 2018. Admittedly though, temperaures must remain warm for the next couple of weeks for this to happen.

Pitting Minnesota anglers against Mother Nature is hardly a fair contest, but occasionally, she does deliver conditions favorable to us. I’m hoping that’s what she does over the next couple of weeks. There’s still time for a late, but still fairly routine Walleye opener.

In other words, we appear to be advancing the ball up field and at the moment, it looks like we’re winning. A fumble, interception or any untimely penalty would be a huge setback.

So Mother, all you have to do is take this ball and run it into the end zone for a touchdown; OKAY? No more cold fronts! - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 19, 2018 "On The Track Toward Ice-Out"

I can’t say that finding signs of a spring meltdown was easy yesterday, but it was definitely easier than it was on Tuesday.

The most notable difference was the appearance of flowing water in small feeder creeks and rivers. It will only take a few days to get rid of whatever snow cover that remains in the bogs, so runoff from melting snow probably won’t last long enough to force the ice-out on most lakes. Still, the flowing water is a gift that is moving things along in the right direction and any progress is good progress.

South of Grand Rapids, we stopped at one small lake just as a couple of young fishermen were driving off of the ice. They’d been in town for a couple of days and reported drilling through 20 to 24 inches of ice in the area they’d been fishing. They reported that execpt for the top few inches, that were honeycombed, the ice was solid and dry.

They said driving their SUV was easy on Tuesday, but was getting a little dicey by the end of Wednesday. One of the men added that he doubted whether or not he’d try to drive on the same lake again today (Thursday) because the surface was beginning to get soft and slushy. Both of them appeared to be pleased that they made it off of the ice without incident.

Panfish were biting they said and the two anglers were sporting big smiles, appropriate for the occasion. Obviously, I din't know where they were fishing or what they were using, but just knowing that the fish were biting did give me a tingle. The news maybe even made me curious enough to get back onto the ice this weekend; we'll see.

Bill Powell at Fred’s Bait caught my comments on Tuesday including the mention that I found the store closed and wrote; “I’ve been fishing early in the mornings, still using the light truck and I noticed this morning that quite a bit of the snow has disappeared.

I don’t think there will be much change before the upcoming weekend, but after that I will probably switch to either my ATV or to walking.
The shop will be open Thursday Friday and Saturday morning in case you need some Night Crawlers or ice fishing bait. From then on, we will be in and out until open water arrives.”

I agree with Bill that conditions on the ice probably won't change much before the weekend. Conditions at the landings might be another story though and I saw a lot of open water at ramps on Wednesday. There were enough trouble spots to convince me that counting on driving vehicles on the ice this weekend is not a good idea. If you're planning one last ice fishing trip, bring your ATV or else plan on hoofing it on your favorite little lake.

If you don't have plans for Friday night and want to get an earful about fishing, then come and join us at the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Fishing Hall of Fame Dinner.

They call the event "A Night With The Pros" and it's an opportunity for anglers to meet and visit with a group of pros who have amassed a lot of fishing knowledge and they're willing to share it with you. This year's event features names like Gary Roach, Kristen Merwin, Dave Genz, Steve Quinn and Mandy Ulrich, just to name a few. There will be 30 pros in all and yes, I will be one of them.

The event is held at the Little Falls Ballroom, 15879 MN Hwy 27, Little Falls. The doors open at 5:00 PM for the meet and greet, the dinner begins at 6:30 and there will be tons of door prizes, silent auctions and other fun stuff.

Tickets are available online here >> MN Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 18, 2018 "Thawing the Thawable"

Public sentiment is obviously weighted heavily against ice fishing these days.

Despite ice thicknesses ranging from 24 to 36 inches and easy access available at public landings, I could only spy one group of anglers on the ice yesterday. That after driving past some of Deer River’s most popular late season fishing spots.

My first clue not to expect seeing much action was when I stopped in to say hi at Fred’s Bait and the store was closed.

I supposed that when the walleye season on the Rainy River ended, so did the flow of traffic and Bill was probably ready for a rest. I don’t blame him at all, but it does indicate that if you’re headed for the lake, call ahead to be sure your favorite bait shop will be open.

Highlights along my route were few and far between; most of the lakes I saw were still locked up with ice and the accesses were in very good condition. There were some areas of open water; both sides of the bridge at Little Cutfoot were open. That open water did not extend to the pipes where the DNR nets will eventually intercept spawning walleyes, but it was still a hopeful sign that spring is coming.

By the time I arrived at the north landing on Round Lake, my concerns about low water were heightened. Despite most of the state being dumped on by recent snowfalls, the north central region remains dry. Water at this landing is easily 3 feet low and looks just like it did during the peak of last summer’s drought. I know that there will be some relief from snow melting, but from what I could see, snow in the bogs is disappearing fast and there was little if any runoff heading toward small tributaries.

Dry conditions won’t help speed up ice out either, without some current flow and seepage from above the surface, ice will linger longer.

At Grand Rapids, the outside air temperature reached 52 degrees during the afternoon. It took most of the day to take ahold, but combined with sunny skies, the warm temperature did take a big bite out of remaining snow cover on area lakes.

During late afternoon, I could see standing water on the ice and that’s good news for anybody who’d like to see open water sometime in the near future.

For now, I’m watching the lakes and banking on one more opportunity to take the Hippie Chick ice fishing this weekend. After that I think it’s going to get dicey, with lots of warm weather heading our way, shoreline conditions will deteriorate fast.

On Monday, a friend told me that there’s no way my prediction of ice out by May 3rd could come true. Maybe not, but I’m sticking with it; I honestly don’t believe that our ice will last very long once the sunshine starts working on it. I do believe that even if the ice is not “completely out” on every lake, there will definitely be areas where opening day walleye anglers can pursue the elusive Sander vitreus. - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism April 17, 2018

"The walleye/sauger season closed April 14th with a bang. Strong numbers of big walleyes caught on the Rainy River this past week.

Rainy River setting up very nicely for MN Fishing Opener May 12th as big fish should still be there. Some big fish also caught through the ice adjacent to Pine Island. Reports of large cracks opening on the lake. Safety first. Ice roads closed to vehicles and are travel at your own risk.

Big pike being caught in pre-spawn areas and shallow bays. Live suckers, big smelt, or hot dogs working. Minnows and other legal fish used for bait must be authorized through bait dealers. Auger extensions still needed.

Rainy River sturgeon fishing is hot right now. Many big fish being caught this past week. Finding deeper holes and laying a sturgeon rig (18" leader of 60 lb test with a 5/0 circle hook) with a crawler/shiner mix and a 4-5 ounce no roll sinker is the ticket.

Around the lake, pike being caught in back bays and areas adjacent to spawning areas. Again, safety #1. If venturing on ice, have a partner, take precautions and have necessary safety gear. " – Lake of the Woods Tourism, (800) 382-FISH

Lake of the Woods, Border View Lodge April 17, 2018

"The sun was shining a bit more this past week but the temperatures were still a little cool. We look forward to this coming week, with temps supposed to get into the 50’s.

Walleye season is now closed. However, Sturgeon and Northern fishing are open. Right now, the two landings open for river access are Birchdale and Frontier. Vidas has a good chance at opening this next week if we get those temps in the 50’s. We will keep you updated on those conditions. If you are looking to come up and do some northern fishing there is still plenty of ice on the lake to take advantage of.

We are still working on our spring remodel projects, with the Great Cabin close to done and the deck on the main lodge completely removed, we are set to start on site prep and the retaining wall for the new deck this next week.

Burger Night is back and very popular, Friday nights 4.25 for a ¼ pound single, or 5.25 for a ½ pound double, build your own burger bar with chips. Saturday is Taco Night! 7.50 for all you can eat build your own tacos. Both nights were a hit as we sold out of both Burgers and Tacos! Be sure to join us next week for these great specials!

Guided Sturgeon fishing packages are now available for April and May. As soon as the Wheelers Point access is clear and we can put in boats, we will be guiding for Sturgeon through May 7th." - 1-800-776-3474 Border View Lodge

April 15, 2018, Steven Maier, Great Lakes Echo Wrote; "People can once again kill cormorants"

"Control of the double-crested cormorant will return this spring when the bird returns from wintering along the Pacific, Atlantic or Gulf coasts, according to federal authorities. Almost all culling was suspended last year after a federal judge ruled in May 2016 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had failed to adequately assess its impact. With that study complete, the service can again issue permits to kill cormorants to protect property, habitat, airports, fish hatcheries and other birds.

“We’re trying to balance maintaining a stable cormorant population with managing them in the place where they’re causing damage,” said Tom Cooper, a region chief for the ..." Read Full Article >> People can once again kill cormorants

Jeff Sundin April 14, 2018 "Ice; If You're Not Making It, You're Losing It"

Ice almost never stays exactly the same. If the weather is cold enough, the ice will get thicker and if it’s not, then the ice is melting; there’s no in-between. So in terms of both quality and thickness, looks can be deceiving. From a distance, the ice on most Itasca Area Lakes still looks really good. But even if it looks like the ice on your favorite lakes looks just as thick as it did yesterday, it probably isn’t. When one goes out onto the ice and takes a closer look, evidence of an eventual melt-down is mounting.

Yesterday I wanted to get a firsthand look at the quality of ice near home, so I took a walk on a popular Grand Rapids area fishing lake.

The surface was covered by a couple of inches of wet, heavy snow, saturated with water caused by runoff from snow that melted on Thursday. There were some shallow puddles scattered randomly across the lake, but there wasn’t any evidence of significant flooding.

As I began drilling a hole, my auger blade encountered crisp, solid ice that was dryer than I expected. In fact, even as the blade came close to punching out the bottom of the hole, ice chips were still coming up fairly dry. I didn't like that because the solid, dry ice chips were a signal that we haven’t had enough water from surface melting to saturate the ice. Saturating the ice with melted surface water is one way to speed up the melting process. So the dry ice isn't good news for anxious fishermen who want to see the ice go away in time for the fishing opener in 5 weeks.

There was one glimmer of hope though, when I measured the thickness of the ice, my tape measure stopped at a little less than 24 inches. I know that's still fairly thick, but it’s a far cry from the 40 inches of ice that covered the lake a couple of weeks ago. The receding ice thickness also proves that the ice is melting, even if we can’t see it happening.

It’s 5:45 AM and as I write this, the ground outside my office is dry and the skies are clear. Apparently, we’ve been missed completely by the snow storm that blew through Minnesota last night. Unfortunately, we really could have used that precipitation up here. Not only would the runoff have helped get rid of some ice, it would have provided relief for some of the lakes that remain low after last summer’s drought.

My ice out date forecast of May 3, 2018 appears to be in jeopardy at the moment. But I still have over 3 weeks and Mother Nature is full of surprises. So while I’m more cautious than I was before, I AM sticking with my prediction; May 3, 2018 Ice Out. - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Jeff Sundin April 13, 2018 "One Last Chance For Walleye Anglers"

image of ice fishermen I feel bad for everybody in south central Minnesota where yet another “storm of the century” is expected to arrive soon. It’s no fun being stuck inside while there are still so many fishing opportunities available. But the weekend weather forecast for us folks up north doesn’t look bad at all and I hope that some of you can take advantage of it.

Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-to-high thirties will be ideal for folks who’d like to ice fish for panfish or even take one last swing at Lake of the Woods Walleyes this Saturday. In fact, I spent a good part of Thursday checking the availability of lodging, hoping that I could take the Hippie Chick on an adventure to catch her walleye through the ice.

The folks at Border Bait advised me that the ice road going out of Wheelers Point was closed to vehicle traffic just a few days ago. But anglers using ATV’s and snowmobiles are moving freely across 4 mile bay and out onto the lake.

There’s a reason that they closed the road to vehicles, but it’s not because the ice is disappearing. Ice thickness continues to range been 40 and 60 inches, yes that’s right, I said as much as 60 inches of ice still covers certain areas of the main lake. In other words, if you can find your way out of 4 mile bay, you can fish almost anyplace you want on the main lake.

The Rainy River is an option for folks who’d rather fish from a boat on Saturday, but the walleye action isn’t likely to impress you. Folks are catching some fish, but the average size is considerably down from what it was a week ago and the numbers are not fabulous either. Still, the river current is very manageable and there are fish being caught. As long as you're on the water with a fishing rod in your hand, there’s always a chance that you’ll hit the perfect spot at the right time.

Closer to home, panfish lakes have plenty of good ice too and in most instances the accesses are in very good condition. There was some runoff from melting snow on Thursday, but this morning our roads are dry. I’d expect that we’ll have enough solid ice to carry us through the next week.

Both panfish and perch can be found closer to shore these days and that means walking can be a good option for anglers who don’t have ATV’s. With little or no snow cover, it will get slippery out there so don’t forget your cleats!

I've been hearing some rumbling about whether there will be open water for the fishing opener. Looking at ice covered lakes on April 13th doesn't exactly bolster confidence in my prediction that we'd have ice out by May 3rd, but it appears that Mother Nature is bringing some warm weather our way. As temperatures reach into the mid-forties, the quality of our ice will decline rapidly and I still believe that this will put us back on track for an open water fishing opener.

Response to the poll question about walleye bag limits that I posted yesterday has been robust; at the end of day one, there were already well over 3000 votes. The poll will continue to run for 6 more days and I’ll be sure to share the results at the conclusion. In case you missed it, you can learn more and vote here >> Fishing Reports Minnesota Walleye Bag Limit Poll - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Jeff Sundin Poll Question April 12, 2018 "Do you regard a 4 fish possession limit as "A Lot of Walleyes?"

On Tuesday, I wrote; "Referencing Bemidji Area Fisheries Manager, Gary Barnard's comments about Upper Red Lake Walleye bag limits, I found it interesting that he used the phrase "A Lot of Walleyes" to describe the 4 fish bag limit.

I can honestly say that for me, a 4 fish bag limit is fine. I have more than ample opportunity to catch enough fish to eat and I can usually accomplish it within a reasonable amount of time. But that said I still do not view a bag limit of 4 fish as “A Lot of Fish.”

Even the current statewide bag limit of 6 fish doesn’t stretch very far for folks who travel long distances to fish, or for those who have to wait for long periods of time between fishing trips. I suspect that folks who provide most of the tourism dollars to Minnesota’s economy come to our state because of “the promise” that they can take some fish home to eat. That is if they can find fish and if they can catch them.

I’ve written before that I’d love to see our state adopt a possession limit that favors tourism, but limits local consumption. I’d be more than willing to accept a lower bag limit for myself in return for a more generous limit for infrequent visitors.

In an attempt to gather information about public sentiment about the walleye bag limits, I set out to create a poll for the Fishing Reports Minnesota Page on Facebook. I’m afraid that the Facebook polls are very limited in scope, so this poll is admittedly a far cry from being scientific. Despite being allowed to ask only one question, we would still like to know your opinion.

Do you prefer a statewide, 4 walleye bag limit, or do believe that your needs are not met only by the current 6 fish bag limit? Answer Poll Question >> Fishing Reports Minnesota - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism April 10 , 2018

"Ice fishing on the lake doing well. Reefs near Arnesen's and Long Point producing some nice keepers. Some big walleyes being caught along Pine Island. Rattles working well on all spoons. Ice roads all different open to trucks some only atv/sleds, and some closed. Call ahead and work through a resort / outfitter who is monitoring their road. Big pike being caught in pre-spawn areas. Live suckers, big smelt, or hot dogs have been producing best. Pike bait must be through authorized bait dealer to prevent VHS. Walleye Season Closes Saturday April 14. Auger extensions still needed.

Rainy River spring fishing was difficult on weekend anglers as temperatures were overnight temps were in single digits. Birchdale and Frontier landings are open to all boats. Open water line moving west more every day this week as a warmer forecast upcoming. Nice walleyes being caught, colder temps slowed bite a bit. Lots of mid 20 inch fish to some over 30 inches.

Sturgeon fishing season is open through May 15, 2018

The NW Angle walleye bite will continue to be good until the end of the season, April 14. Walleyes and saugers in traditional areas in 15-20 feet during morning/evening and 21-25 feet during the day. Pike in shallow bays. Make sure to get your new fishing license." – Lake of the Woods Tourism, (800) 382-FISH

Lake of the Woods, Border View Lodge April 10, 2018

Burger Night is back, Friday nights 4.25 for a ¼ pound single, or 5.25 for a ½ pound double, build your own burger bar with chips. Saturday is Taco Night! 7.50 for all you can eat build your own tacos.

The Great Cabin remodel is wrapping up, we are waiting on some of the new furniture to make it complete. We will be removing the old deck on the lodge as soon as weather permits for a new replacement deck.

Jeff Sundin Fishing Report April 9, 2018 "Sorting the Sortable"

"Our past week, originally set aside for a fishing trip to the gulf to catch Redfish was diverted to a working vacation right here at home.

Merging two households into one is never easy, but pairing down into an 823 square foot house makes the process extremely interesting. Somehow though, the week of sorting the sortable and transferring cartons from one place to another has paid off. The once parallel lives of the Hippie Chick and me are becoming more singular every day.

With all of that moving and shaking going on, I’m afraid that playing catch-up with the latest news about fishing and ice conditions in the Itasca Area will dominate my schedule. But I can definitely tell you that my trip up the learning curve will be a fast one. My next few days will all be spent fishing and they won’t be spent in a boat. No, ice fishing is still going strong and we are on our way to target some Super Jumbo Mega Magnum Perch and I really hope they’re in the biting mood!

However our trip works out, fishing reports and updates about ice conditions will become increasingly plentiful later this week. In the meantime, here are a few tidbits that came in over the wire this morning." - Jeff Sundin 218-245-9858 or EMAIL

April 9, 2018 - Can We Comapare Walleye Spawning During 2013 vs 2018?

image of walleye egg harvest at Cutfoot sioux

"Q) Alan Kirkpatrick wrote; "Do you happen to remember back to the spring of 2013 and what the dates were for the walleye egg harvest at Little Cutfoot? I am trying to make some comparison to this year's late spring and what will be happening up there, someday soon, I hope.

I do realize the length of days for the run, and their stripping operation greatly depends on the given weather conditions of each year, but I'm just looking for a starting date when things got rolling back then. Thanks for your thoughts and time."

A) Alan, as a matter fact I do remember that spring and recall that the dates for the walleye egg harvest at Cutfoot Sioux didn’t begin until well into May of 2013. I checked my own reports from that spring and found this one, dated May 13, 2013; “Surface water temperatures hovered at about 45 degrees today, warm enough to trigger a full scale spawning run. In fact, within one day of setting their nets, DNR fisheries staff at the Little Cutfoot Egg Harvesting Station found them chock full of plump walleye which were “ripe” for spawning. I expect that if the run is on at this location, then spawning runs will be nearly running full scale at most other spawning locations as well.”

There’s no doubt that we’re on a trajectory toward another late spawning run for 2018. But we’re still a long way from May and Mother Nature does have a way of dishing out surprises. The weather is forecast to take a turn toward warmer temperatures this week, the questions are how warm and how fast?

I made a prediction last Thursday on KAXE radio that ice out will occur on May 3, 2018. I am hopeful about that, but we’ll have to see how the rest of this week shapes up before I know how nervous I am about that prediction coming to fruition.

Lake of the Woods, Border View Lodge April 9, 2018

"Cold was the norm last week. Some of the accesses were even refreezing. This week we are seeing warmer temps starting on Wednesday with highs into the 40’s. There is still plenty of ice on the lake (approximately 4 feet) and the shorelines are still frozen, 4 wheelers and side by sides are best for travel on the ice, there is a lot of ice with bumpy travel. The lake has provided more productive catching than the river so far. Frontier seems to be the busiest access the last few days.

Burger Night is back, Friday nights 4.25 for a ¼ pound single, or 5.25 for a ½ pound double, build your own burger bar with chips. Saturday is Taco Night! 7.50 for all you can eat build your own tacos.

The Great Cabin remodel is wrapping up, we are waiting on some of the new furniture to make it complete. We will be removing the old deck on the lodge as soon as weather permits for a new replacement deck.

Guided Sturgeon fishing packages are now available for April and May. As soon as the Wheelers Point access is clear and we can put in boats, we will be guiding for Sturgeon through May 7th." - 1-800-776-3474 Border View Lodge

Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism April 4, 2018

Ice fishing on the lake heated up this week. Reefs to the west produced some nice fish as did areas adjacent to the south shore. Shallows overall producing nicely for the morning / evening bite. Fish deeper in the afternoon.

Rippin Raps hot this week along with plain hook and live minnow. Some ice roads open to trucks some only atv/sleds, and some closed. Call ahead and work through a resort / outfitter who is monitoring their road. Big pike being caught in pre-spawn areas and on top of reefs. Live suckers, big smelt, or hot dogs have been producing best. Pike bait must be through authorized bait dealer to prevent VHS. Auger extensions still needed.

Rainy River spring fishing in full swing. Birchdale and Frontier landings are open to all boats with the open water line moving west more every day. Nice walleyes being caught despite chilly temps over weekend.

Join US On Facebook and Become A Duly Deputized Fishrapper Cub Reporter

Helping your fellow fishermen and women stay abreast of fishing conditions in your area is good for everybody and it's easier than you think!
You don't have to write a book, you don't have to share your secret fishing spots and you don't even have to mention your lake. But even a few words about general trends, seasonal patterns and local weather conditions can really help.

Fishing Reports Minnesota, the Facebook counterpart to this page is open to the public, so you can post your own fishing update or just share a photo of a nice catch. Be like me, become a duly deputized "Cub Reporter", it's good for fishing! Contact Us

"The Early Bird Fishing Guide" Jeff Sundin - Fishing Blue Books, LLC 715 Byington Ave, LaPrairie, MN 55744 218-245-9858
Email copyright©2018 Fishing Blue Books, LLC All Rights Reserved - last revised 05-03-18