When someone talks about diverse fisheries, one place that always comes to anglers minds is Grand Rapids. There is so many species and opportunities to choose from and there is another season upon us in the winter that holds additional angler options. Inland trout fishing and sometimes called stream trout season recently opened and can be a hoot when experienced. Grand Rapids is loaded with small walk on trout lakes that offer stocked Rainbows, Browns, and even some have Brook Trout. Our DNR has maintained good populations of trout stocking to provide opportunities for anglers that want to do something different in their winter ice fishing expeditions. There are also opportunities to catch Lake Trout in a few designated lakes in the area and every season there are Lakers in the 10 plus pound category that are put on the ice.

For the smaller trout species some of the lakes to try are Kramer, Moonshine, and Taylor Lake outside of Hill City. Only one line is allowed and a Trout Stamp is required to fish all designated Trout Lakes and its so important to know the best options you will have and how to catch them. Electronics are so important to ice fishing and being able to track the proper depth that these amazing species are traveling. For Rainbows, Browns and Brookies small jigs baited with waxies or euro larvae are key. Live minnows are not allowed on designated trout lakes. Small flashy spoons or #3 Jigging Raps are also good choices for success and lite line such as 4# test mono is crucial to getting bit. The Humminbird Helix 5 or 7 are excellent units for finding and staying on trout in the winter.

Bruising Lake Trout are a different breed. Again they can be in several areas of the water column, but will generally be in deeper depths than their smaller cousins that occupy shallower locations. Depths of 30-90 feet can be locations that Lake Trout will be in the hunt for a meal. Again good locations of Lakers can be tracked with the use of good electronics. Baits can vary, but most Laker anglers like bigger jigs and plastics that resemble bait fish such as smelt, shiners, and tullibees. A great place to stop in Grand Rapids to discuss the best options for Lake Trout tackle and places to chase them are 1000 Lakes Sports and talk to their talented staff on your best options. Some of the best lakes to contact nice Lakers are Sherry’s Arm on Pokegama Lake, Trout Lake (connected to Wabana) and Bluewater Lake.

These are again why people come to Grand Rapids for the diverse fisheries that are offered. We offer the best opportunities in all of Minnesota to catch fish all through the year.

Thank you to those that submitted Ice Fishing photos to us this week:

This week’s Grand Rapids Ice Fishing Report presented by Tom Neustrom, professional fishing guide and professional fishing industry representative.

A winter so far to remember will be the talk in bait shops, stores, at home, and places where people gather safely. Visitors from all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and even Michigan are coming to the Grand Rapids area to enjoy what winter has to offer in so many ways. The community has been busy with folks coming in and around during the holidays to enjoy outdoor activities during the unusual weather. Ice fishing, skating, snow shoeing, sliding, and cross country skiing have all been very popular.

Ice fishing is probably the most popular of all winter sports in our area and for good reason. We have some of the most diverse fisheries in Minnesota and there is something for everyone.

Many anglers are concentrating on the panfish with hundreds of lakes to choose from in the Itasca County and Grand Rapids area. Bluegills and crappies are the most sought after and lite line and tackle are the norm for chasing these guys. Many times, tungsten jigs have been the popular lure of choice with a wax worm, euro larvae, or soft plastic imitation. The tungsten jigs are heavier at times in some situations and therefore especially when panfish are suspended, can pass directly through the schools. Keeping another rod pre-rigged and ready to go with a lighter lead jig or spoon, can flutter at just the right speed to trigger a bite. Keeping a close eye on my Humminbird Helix 7 allows me to track the correct speed and fall of the jig and how it influenced a bite. Most often with aggressive fish it doesn’t seem to matter, but there are instances where it will put a few more fish on the ice. A few lakes to try for good panfish opportunities are Bass Lake in Cohasset, Little Moose, Big and Little Bowstring, Pokegama, Little Cutfoot, Dunbar, and Burrows lakes. All have good populations of panfish to catch.

Minnesota is one of the very few states in the country that allow dark house spearing for northern pike during the winter months. The season is from November 15^th to the last Sunday in February and requires a special license to participate. All size restrictions that apply to the open water season also apply to the winter and spearfishing regulations. It has been a long standing sport for many decades and is enjoyed by a very dedicated group of anglers. Artificial decoys and live sucker minnows are usually used to attract pike within range of the angler to spear. Being very stealth and quiet is key to a successful day of spearing. Northern Pike, especially in the winter, are one of the best table fare of all species.

Walleye fishing is still good on several area lakes with early and late in the day the best times to target them. Big Cutfoot, Winnie, Pokegama, Moose, Jessie, and Round have all been giving up a fair share of walleyes and several nice Jumbo Perch .Glow, with orange or chartreuse buckshot spoons with a minnow head, Jigging Raps, and blade baits are all putting fish in the bucket. A dead stick in another hole with a live shiner or chub, adjacent to the one you’re jigging in will many time entice a strike from a walleye that wants a slower mover.

Whatever your choice of winter activity, Grand Rapids and Itasca County have it all for you and your family to enjoy. Special thanks to those that shared their Ice Fishing pictures with us this week:

This week’s Grand Rapids Ice Fishing Report brought to you by Tom Neustrom. Tom is a professional fishing guide and representative.

What a pleasant winter we are having in the northland. Folks are getting out and enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer with ice fishing taking center stage and other options as well. Anglers are finding good ice conditions on Grand Rapids area lakes with foot, snowmobile, and 4 wheeler traffic still the recommended way to access area lakes. Many lakes in the area are providing good panfish opportunities and moving in and around to different lakes seems to be the best option to find active fish.

Northern Pike fishing has been good on area lakes and tip up anglers are enjoying some of the best pike fishing of the season. Being allowed 2 tip ups per angler allows you to drill several holes in the area that you have decided to fish and move your tip ups occasionally to locate active pike. With the use of your electronics and Lakemaster mapping, it makes short work of locating productive areas. Inside turns and cabbage/weed points can be critical spots to set tip ups on the edge of deeper water access areas leading to shallow feeding locations. Some of the better pike lakes to fish in the Grand Rapids area for numbers and size are Big Balsam, Big Jessie, Big Turtle, Pokegama, Big and Little Winnie, and Big Ball Club lakes.

Having a couple family members with and spreading out several tip ups can secure the possibility of finding active pike. It’s exciting when a flag goes up and there is a run to the flag to see what’s on the line. Hand over hand combat with a big pike or really any pike can get the heart throbbing. Smaller 3-6 inch suckers minnows or chubs are most often the best baits for arming your tip ups. They are active live baits that attract hungry pike and make no mistake there may be a hungry walleye or two that may come sniffing around as well. When setting your tip ups make sure your bait is anywhere from 1 to 3 feet from the bottom depending on the depth. Change your baits often and the location of your tip ups every 20 to 30 minutes if you haven’t had a bite. Once the flag goes up and line peals off the reel, wait until the line stops, and tighten up slack before hand setting the hook. Quick strike rigs, when used, can be set much more quickly and are very effective. It also prevents bigger pike from swallowing the hook and cause unnecessary injury before being released. Northern pike are one of the best eating fish available if cleaned and taken care of. Sometimes I will cut my pike filets into 4-6 inch pieces and soak them in 7Up for 4-6 hrs. in refrigerator before grilling Yummm.

Ice fishing and other winter sports are great opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy winter in the Grand Rapids area. Snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and just enjoying Mother Nature’s winter splendor.

Thank you to everyone that shared their ice fishing photos from the Grand Rapids, MN area with us, you can email your pictures to: info@visitgrandrapids.com.