FISHING REPORT

The big lakes still have quite a bit of ice, but the small lakes have opened. Look for crappies in the channel at Bar Harbor and in the ditches near Squaw Point on Gull Lake.

Duluth area

Lake Superior anglers are trolling plugs near the surface around Park Point and catching cohos. Kamloops and steelhead are being caught on spawn sacs and yarn-tied hooks at the Lester, Knife, and Sucker rivers.

East-central

Elk Lake is the best option for crappies in shallow water. Look for the shallows of Green Lake and Blue Lake to start producing fish soon. Small jigs tipped with minnows placed under a float is the way to go.

Ely area

There were still a few ice anglers on the lakes last weekend. Crappies and perch continue to bite on Fall Lake, but the shorelines are starting to pull away. Many areas of the Kawishiwi River are now navigable for small boats and canoes.

Grand Rapids area

The warm water discharge plant on the Mississippi River is producing panfish for open-water anglers. All lakes are ice-covered although open water is evident along the shorelines and bays of most fisheries.

Lake Kabetogama

The shorelines have opened so ice fishing opportunities have ended. Ash River has opened into Sullivan Bay so Kab and Namakan shouldn't be far behind. The ice is expected to be out by opening weekend.

Lake Mille Lacs

There are crappies being caught in the marinas and boat harbors. The north end has some open water extending out from shore and the bays have started opening.

Lake Minnetonka

There were a few crappies caught last weekend, but the cooler weather seems to have pushed these fish out of the shallows. Once it warms look to the north side of Wayzata Bay, Maxwell Bay, Excelsior Bay, and Black Lake for crappies.

Lake Winnibigoshish

There's about 150 yards of open water along the shorelines. The entire main lake is ice-covered and blanketed with a foot of snow as of Tuesday morning. The wind is pushing the ice around, but has yet to bust it up.

Lake of the Woods

There's a lot of ice on the main lake and it's been cold enough to prevent it from opening much beyond the shorelines. On the Rainy River, crawlers are producing sturgeon despite the recent cold weather.

Leech Lake area

There was ice fishing taking place on Shingobee Bay last weekend. The small lakes have started to open, while Leech Lake remains ice-covered.

Park Rapids area

Most small lakes are now open, but the cold weather and last weekend's snow prevented the big lakes from opening. There has been some limited open water panfish action reported at "The Fill" on Long Lake.

Rainy Lake

The shorelines have opened but there's a lot of ice on the main lake. This area received nine inches of snow last weekend so it has slowed the ice-out process. There is some sturgeon action on the Rainy River.

St. Cloud/Eden Valley area

There is some sunfish action in the bays and culvert areas of a few lakes. Koronis, Rice, and the Horseshoe Chain have produced the most fish in recent days in less than six feet of water. Small jigs tipped with waxworms or minnows have worked best.

Twin Cities

NORTHEAST METRO - The recent cold spell has slowed the crappie bite. A few fish continue to be caught at the marinas along the St. Croix River. The shorelines of Vadnais Lake are producing crappies, while walleye action has slowed on the Mississippi River.

WEST METRO - The Minnesota River continues to produce catfish and white bass. Panfish action remains slow although there aren't a lot of people fishing due to the cold.