Field Reports: Anglers enjoy flurry of coho salmon action on North Shore

Coho salmon fishing has been good recently between Duluth and Two Harbors. Anglers fishing from shore at the French River and beyond have been catching plenty of salmon, said Duluth's Ross Pearson of Kamloops Advocates.

"We've seen some really good coho fishing the last couple of weeks," Pearson said. "Good numbers. Lots of people catching pretty fair numbers of fish. Some limits."

The cohos have been mostly in the 16- and 17-inch size range, he said.

"Usually, February is the better coho month," Pearson said, "but this year it started in January. There have been days when 50 to 100 fish have been caught."

Artificial lures like 'Looper bugs tipped with waxworms, especially in black, have been effective, Pearson said. They're usually fished under a bobber. Spawn bags fished off the bottom also have produced fish, he said.

Cohos haven't been stocked in the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior since 1974 and are not stocked in other states' or provinces' jurisdictions on Lake Superior, said Nick Peterson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources migratory fish specialist at French River.

While coho fishing has been hot, Kamloops rainbow trout fishing has been slow, Pearson said, although it's still a bit early for the fish to be staging offshore. That should begin to happen this month, he said.

Last fall's Kamloops fishing was relatively good, he said, given the partial shift in Kamloops rearing to a hatchery other than the French River Coldwater Hatchery.

"It wasn't like it used to be be, but none of us expected it to be," Pearson said.

Yes, it's an easy winter

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' Winter Severity Index is confirming what many would suspect: It's been a mild winter so far.

The index is based on snow depth and cold weather. Most of Northeastern Minnesota remains in the lowest WSI category. Some areas are in the next-lowest category of severity.

"Things are shaping up for this to be a real easy winter," said Dave Olfelt, DNR regional wildlife manager in Grand Rapids. "Except for that cold snap in January, temperatures have been mild. Snow depths are still pretty low. We've had rain and melting that consolidated it."

If this winter continues to be relatively mild, it will mean good things for deer this spring, Olfelt said.

"Last year was very mild," he said. "This is three years in a row. That should manifest itself in good reproduction for deer next spring."

Minnesota's deer herd is recovering after severe winters that preceded the recent mild winters.

While snow depths are low, a crust from rain and sleet around Christmas, as well as January's rain and melting, could be an issue, said Tom Rusch, DNR area wildlife manager at Tower.

"The wolves are on top of the crust," Rusch said. "Our WSI does not account for crusting. It is definitely a factor. Anyone who has busted their way through the woods post-holing through crust can relate. It's very physically demanding. With only 12 to 15 inches of snow, (deer) will be OK, but if we get dumped on, it becomes a game changer."

In calculating the WSI, one point is accumulated each day the temperature falls below zero and another point every day the snow depth exceeds 15 inches.

Mille Lacs bass limit to drop

Effective May 27, the combined largemouth and smallmouth bass limit on Mille Lacs Lake will drop from four to three, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. That's the date Minnesota's bass harvest season begins.

Catch-and-release bass fishing opens the same day as the walleye and northern pike fishing opener on May 13.

Anglers may keep three bass in any combination of smallmouth and largemouth starting May 27. All bass 17 to 21 inches must be immediately released, with only one bass over 21 inches allowed to be kept.

Contribute ideas to deer plan

Minnesotans are are encouraged to contribute ideas and feedback about possible deer management topics that will shape Minnesota's first-ever deer management plan.

"We're asking people to let us know what they think about specific topics that could be included in the deer plan," said Adam Murkowski, big game program leader with the Department of Natural Resources. "We're anticipating that these topics will involve hunting opportunities and also balance a range of perspectives that consider deer management and habitat."

Possible deer plan topics and an online comment form can be found at mndnr.gov/deerplan. Comments also can be submitted by email to DeerPlan.DNR@state.mn.us or at upcoming public meetings. Online and email comments can be submitted through March 5.

During the next year, the recently formed deer management plan advisory committee will review technical information and public input. The committee will make recommendations to the DNR for the deer plan, which is expected to be finished by the spring of 2018.

Upcoming meetings in Northeastern Minnesota (both from 6:30 to 9 p.m.):

• Duluth, Feb. 22, Room W2630 at Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road.
• Mountain Iron, Feb. 23, Iroquois Room at Mountain Iron Community Center, 8586 Enterprise Drive South.