Fishing Report
When is the best time to go fishing? Here in the north woods, every day is the best day. Our area contains a wide range of lakes with varied depths, shoreline structures, and a wide range of fish species. Seasoned anglers know success requires patience and a willingness to try different techniques. If you have a youngster in the group, they will most likely catch the biggest fish - it always happens. So, maybe no technique is a good strategy too. For those interested in learning about lake structure, water quality, or creel surveys, we encourage you to visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lake Finder page. Area lakes will either be found in St. Louis or Lake County. Minnesota Fishing Regulations
| March 3rd, 2026 |
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| Steven Renneberg |
***Fishing Report***
Lake trout - Lake trout fishing slowed down quite a bit this last weekend. Many anglers reported struggling to even mark trout. Anglers that were lucky enough to even mark trout often reported they marked way more than they could even get to chase. Bite windows seemed to be very short and sweet, so be sure to get out early and don’t leave too early. You might miss the bite window open for the day. Bucktails continue to be a very popular choice for anglers. Many anglers have been having good luck tipping those bucktails with a gulp minnow or keitech minnow to add scent. Key depths this last weekend were 35-45ft of water.
Eelpout - Seems like just about everyone ice fishing this last week reported catching a handful of eelpout. Those targeting them reported a slightly slower-than-expected bite. Anglers found eelpout on sunken islands that top out in that 15-25ft of water range. Heavy glow spoons, loaded up with smelly minnows, frozen smelt, or herring, have been effective. Make sure that the spoon glows!
Stream Trout - Stream trout reports were on the slow side this last weekend, too. Rainbows seemed to be the most cooperative of the trout this last week. Small jigs, tipped with wax worms, were the most productive technique. Anglers continue to catch the rainbows anywhere from 5-15ft under the ice, while fishing over 50-70ft of water.
Crappies - Crappie fishing was slow this last week as spring crappie-minded anglers started checking for crappies. Anglers found them suspended just off the bottom, in 20-30ft of water and reported they were sluggish, often unwilling to rise up to the bait.
Whitefish/Tullibee - Angling pressure was light this last weekend, too, for whitefish and tullibees. Anglers targeting them reported some good luck, but also said they had to work them to get them to bite. Anglers continue to find them in 25-40ft of water, about 15-20ft under the ice. Small spoons tipped with wax worms and a crappie minnow suspended under a bobber have both been effective.
