Just like that, the general inland fishing season for game fish is over.
For most of northern Minnesota (except for Ontario border waters) and now northern Wisconsin, we have to leave walleyes, bass and pike alone. This is very important as it gives fish a chance to get ready for spawning when the water warms up in spring. Of course we can still fish, but we can only target fish that are continuously open like crappies, sunnies and rough-fish.
For our team, we will now be finishing up the sports show season (this weekend in Minneapolis at the Northwest Sports Show and, the last weekend of March, at the Douglas County Fish and Game Show in Superior). We also will be chasing late season panfish before packing our bags and gear to head for the early shot walleye spots like the Rainy River or Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Let’s get into our weekly report:
Lake Superior ice anglers continue to chase a few pike, perch, trout, salmon and whitefish in and around Chequamegon Bay. Jigging bright, shiny spoons tipped with meat has been best. Kastmaster spoons or Leech Flutter spoons have been good. What is more important is to continue to spread out to find low-pressure fishing spots. Set lines are still important. A few burbot are starting to show up in many areas as well. Low-light periods are best when targeting eelpout. Ice conditions are spotty and will quickly deteriorate as we move farther through March. Make sure to check in with locals and as always check ice for yourself.
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The St. Louis River Estuary went from full-throttle angling pressure this last week to lonely and empty. Except for areas that harbor some perch, crappies and a few sunfish, anglers have more or less moved on and started to put away any river chasing plans.
Inland lakes continue to be challenging for ice travel. Snow track machines are necessary. Before the close of Wisconsin’s game fish season this past weekend, pike, bass and walleyes were going gangbusters in weedy drop-off areas. Some big, fat-bellied fish were chewing on smaller prey-sized panfish. The anglers that are still getting out are finding lots of these said panfish. Tungsten jigs tipped with meat have been great, but soft plastics from Northland Fishing Tackle, Clam or Panfish Plastics have been dynamite. Panfish have been in a few locations. Some locations in and around the 6-15 foot vegetation, as well as mud basin areas are holding good fish. Word of caution, if you elect to fish deep holes, you will kill fish! Barotrauma is a real thing.
Lastly, come visit the big Northwest Sports Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center this weekend (Match 9-12). So many boats, resorts, gear, and big stage names in the industry under one roof. Yours truly will be conducting real life fishing demonstrations on the big fish tank and helping promote great fishing brands like Northland Fish Tackle, Blackfish and Lund Boats. When not on the tank, I’ll be with our Northland brothers and sisters at the Marine General area. Be safe out there.
The Trust Project
