Hey everyone,

 

As most of you probably know, Minnesota closes bass, walleye, and pike fishing from the end of February to early May. I really don't want to wait 2 and a half months before fishing again, especially while watching everyone in central/southern USA start fishing again. I'm pretty sure there is a bunch of species that have a year around season though. What do you guys suggest I try fishing for in the mean time? 

Just now, MaceAnthonyBassin said:

Hey everyone,

 

As most of you probably know, Minnesota closes bass, walleye, and pike fishing from the end of February to early May. I really don't want to wait 2 and a half months before fishing again, especially while watching everyone in central/southern USA start fishing again. I'm pretty sure there is a bunch of species that have a year around season though. What do you guys suggest I try fishing for in the mean time? 

Any panfish...that's what I 'chase' between ice-out and bass opener.

Dogfish!

If you are comfortable navigating rivers - Pool 2 and 4 are very good for a variety of species, although many still C&R.  Panfish, white bass can be popular in the spring if you're keepin' 

Limited options.  Rivers/pools that Frydog indicated are open to C & R if you're comfortable navigating them.

 

Panfishing is what most do to scratch that itch before May.  Its what I do too.

 

I know that Wisconsin has a year round C & R season now for bass.  It just started last year.  Depending on where you live, you could go east and try it there before May.  South Dakota has a nice cluster of glacial lakes that never closes near Webster too and their ice will be gone before ours.

Was gonna say I live in Northwest Iowa...and while we don't have closed bass season the largemouth can be tricky right after ice out. I usually spend as much time fishing crappies, bluegills and stocked trout early season as I'd do bass. The pan fish and rainbows are often much more cooperative.

2 hours ago, Michigander said:

Dogfish!

I've caught them on Bass Jigs before.  Fun fight.

In regards to the rivers that share state lines, does a MN resident need a non-resident license to fish when their states season is not open yet?

Not sure on that - I'd ask the DNR

My cure was just to buy a WI one.  Goes to a good cause...and when I don't it limits lakes I can run to quick.  Defended the cure by renting a cabin there for a week.

1 hour ago, BBug said:

In regards to the rivers that share state lines, does a MN resident need a non-resident license to fish when their states season is not open yet?

No. If it is a designated border water then either state’s license is valid.

 

I’ve fished Big Stone Lake and Traverse Lake on the SD and ND border several times with a valid MN license. You can actually go to an access and launch on the other side too but be careful about toting any live bait across the borders because that is restricted.

great thanks

I noticed on Lake Finder that there is recorded data on ice in, and out for many lakes. Is there a web site that gives an up to date status on ice thickness or lack there of ? With the weather we have coming up, I was thinking about launching somewhere just to shake the bugs out of my new additions to the boat and maybe practice casting. Its about 1.5 hours for me to any border waters and It would be nice to know if launching is possible.

7 hours ago, BBug said:

Is there a web site that gives an up to date status on ice thickness or lack there of ?

Yes, there is. The main page of the DNR’s website will have a link to their “ice out” page which is a map of lakes that have lost their ice. It’s probably not posted for 2021 yet though. It relies mostly on volunteers or residents living on the lake. It’s not a real-time update but I have found it to be fairly accurate.

8 hours ago, BBug said:

Is there a web site that gives an up to date status on ice thickness or lack there of ?

 

30 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Yes, there is. The main page of the DNR’s website will have a link to their “ice out” page which is a map of lakes that have lost their ice. It’s probably not posted for 2021 yet though. It relies mostly on volunteers or residents living on the lake. It’s not a real-time update but I have found it to be fairly accurate.

Lake-Link also has ice thickness reports - again dependent on volunteers to send in the data.

as always, Great information. Thanks Much!

On 3/6/2021 at 2:04 PM, gimruis said:

It’s probably not posted for 2021 yet though.

 

Its posted as of today.

 

Here is its.  No lakes on it yet.

 

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html

I'm going to SD 4/23-4/27 to roy lake.