Walleye activity has been on the slower side lately, and the prolonged stretch of cold weather is definitely playing a role. Anglers are reporting a lot of “lazy fish” that come in to look at the bait but refuse to commit. Expect short, inconsistent bite windows, with the best opportunities coming during low-light periods around sunrise and sunset.

The good news is the panfish bite remains solid. Crappies and bluegills haven’t slowed down much, with a steady basin bite continuing on most area lakes. Euro larvae and crappie minnows have been the top live bait options, while plastics are producing just as well.

Perch fishing has been phenomenal this winter and continues to shine even in the heart of the winter. Lakes within the Mississippi River flow are no secret when it comes to producing quality perch, and they’ve been consistent all winter long. Small spoons or tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or larvae are all you need to stay on fish.

Trout fishing has also been strong. Stream trout action has been excellent, with a good number of solid-sized rainbows being reported. Lake trout have been more hit-or-miss, depending on the lake and weather conditions. Be sure to check the Minnesota DNR website for a list of stocked trout lakes in the area.

Good luck out there, and as always—be safe on the ice