Fishing continues to improve during the month of February. Please note that recent unseasonably warm temperatures have caused ice conditions to change throughout the state--it is extremely important to use caution when heading out! Anyone considering a trip out onto the ice must first check with local bait shops and resorts for the most current ice conditions. Anglers venturing out are asked to carry ice claws and a long rope, wear a floatation device, and check ice depth often. Please stay informed, and brush up on Minnesota DNR Ice Safety Tips before heading out on your next ice fishing adventure. The most current Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Reports may also be useful.

The fishing season for walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass in most Minnesota waters remains open through February 26, 2012. Smallmouth bass, however, are catch-and-release only through February 26. The winter season for lake trout within and outside of the BWCA runs through March 31, 2012. The winter season for stream trout in southern Minnesota is catch-and-release only, and also runs through March 31, 2012. And, Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2012/2013 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. The fishing season for stream trout in streams is catch-and-release only April 1-13; the regular season beginning April 14. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--please check out the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations pages to learn more.

Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236 or accessing DNR License Sales.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

On Rainy Lake, walleye continue to hit jig and minnow combinations early in the morning and as sunset approaches. Sand Bay continues to produce lots of fish, and the newly opened ice roads heading east into Voyageurs National Park have provided anglers with access to many other great fishing spots. Large northern pike are being pulled from the mouth of Black Bay and near Cranberry Bay. And anglers are also taking quite a few crappies from Sand Bay. And area snowmobile trails are in good shape, and more snow is expected prior to the weekend. The ice roads on Rainy Lake are open and the snowmobile trails are marked and groomed. 1-800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Recent warm temperatures have not affected ice conditions, with anglers and snowmobilers benefiting from the lack of slush and strong, clear ice on lakes Kabetogama and Namakan. Anglers are doing well using tip-ups. Northern pike are attacking most offerings, and some walleye have turned less finicky and are starting to take small suckers. Walleye action has been decent overall, with quite a few keepers coming in along with many in the protected slot range. Walleye anglers are also taking lots of nice perch and an occasional sauger. The best approach has been a small jig tipped with a minnow worked in 28-32 feet of water--late afternoon to early evening hours have been the most productive. The most popular areas for fishing have been via short jaunts off the ice road that runs from the Kabetogama Visitor Center to the Ash River Visitor Center. 1-800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Ely

Trout fishing remains excellent, with some nice numbers of rainbow trout coming from several area lakes. Fish measuring up to 20-inches have been fairly common. Anglers are taking the majority of fish on small jigs and waxworms, with forage minnows and small buckshot spoons rapidly becoming favorites. The fish are suspending just below the ice so anglers can even "sight fish." Crappies have not yet schooled, but if you do some hole-hopping you'll likely take your limit. Small minnows, as well as jigs tipped with waxies or micro-size soft baits are producing lots of slabs. And some large northern pike are coming in on suckers fished just under the ice along weed edges and drop-offs. 1-800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

1-800-648-5897; www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage

Trout fishing has been very good throughout the area. At the end of the Gunflint Trail on Saganaga Lake, the lake trout have been schooling in waters 50-65 feet deep--rainbow chubs and ciscoes with spoons and jigs have been the most effective presentation. On Greenwood Lake, midway up the Gunflint Trail, the lakers remain very active and can be found suspended in 60-plus feet of water. Spoons and ciscos have been best for these fish. Splake, a cross between male brook trout and female lake trout, are active on Thrasher, Mink, and Trout lakes just outside of Grand Marais. These colorful fish are getting hooked on ice flies with waxies or minnow heads--a beaded hook with a minnow or cisco is also working well. On Devil Track Lake, just out of Grand Marais, walleye anglers are catching some fish in 30-40 feet of water on twisters and jigging rapalas. Northern pike anglers are reporting aggressive fish coming from Caribou Lake, just outside of Lutsen, with one lucky angler pulling in a 9-pound northern! www.visitcookcounty.com

Grand Rapids

www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

On Lake of the Woods, fish continue to come from roughly 33 feet of water, with some good action occurring in shallower waters during early morning and late evening hours. The best color for lures has been gold or anything that glows. The bite remains very light so use a fish finder to maximize your time and efforts. At the Northwest Angle, anglers are seeing lots of slot-size walleye, as well as good numbers of sauger, perch, and smallmouth bass. Crappie action has slowed a bit, but anglers continue to bring in six to eight fish in one outing. Northern pike action remains excellent. Area snowmobile trails are in good shape and the trail from Wheelers Point over to Warroad has been staked. The land trails remain closed due to a lack of snow. Please do not venture off the marked snowmobile trails as ice conditions vary all over the lake. 1-800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

More seasonable temperatures helped to firm-up the ice on area lakes, with good ice conditions now in most areas. While fishing has been slower than earlier in the season, it is still very good for this time of year. The full moon created a good night bite this week for light sensitive species such as walleye and crappies. Walleye are coming from the sides of the structure and on top of the humps in 14-26 feet of water in most lakes. Walleye have been most active during morning and evening hours and on overcast days in lakes with clear water. Stained water lakes, such as Upper Red Lake, offer a good day bite for walleye almost always. Crappies remain deep, with fish coming from 20-35 feet of water. Crappies are suspended and electronics are almost a necessity to locating these fish. Keep bait several feet off the bottom for most species of fish, unless you're fishing for eelpout when it must be on the bottom. Those using electronics can keep their bait several feet off the bottom and then inch it down towards the fish as they move through. 1-800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Cass Lake

1-800-356-8615; www.casslake.com

Bena -Lake Winnibigoshish

The perch bite remains excellent on Lake Winnibigoshish, with good numbers of 10-inch fish being taken. The shore drops remain best from Snag Hole along the South Shore to The Stumps, from Moxey's Hole to The Saddle, and at Sugar and River bars. The best depths have been 24-30 feet, with the larger fish hanging roughly 3 feet off the bottom. Some main lake bars are also producing good numbers of perch, including Moses and the south end of Horseshoe down to 33 feet of water. The west side of Raven Rocks out to the North Bar area has also been good. Walleye anglers are taking some nice fish from humps north and west of Third River Bar, with twilight hours being best. Jigging spoon rattles tipped with a minnow head are working well for the walleye, and smaller glow jigs or gold jigs tipped with small minnows have been good for perch. Northern pike anglers are taking lots of fish on set tip-ups with suckers in the upper portions of the structure, 3-5 feet off the bottom, with 20-30 flags a day being common. Travel on the ice has been good due to 2-5 inches of hard packed snow at most entry points. www.lakewinnie.net

Walker - Leech Lake

Anglers report a February fishing frenzy on Leech Lake! Walleye are coming from 20-28 foot depths in Walker Bay, and especially just west of Cedar Point. Spearing for northern pike is producing limits most days--still, these waters have turned very cloudy this past week which has made it a challenge to see fish as they cruise by. At this time, various holes drilled on various lakes revealed an average of 18-21 inches of ice. And don't miss the 33rd Annual International Eelpout Festival held this Friday, February 17 through Sunday, February 19 at Walker Bay and Walker City Park. Heralded as Minnesota's finest display of ice antics, the Eelpout Festival is an experience not to be missed! In addition to the fishing contest, check out the Torch Lighting, Coors Light Keg Castle, Leisure Outdoor Adventures Trailer, live music and dancing, the Eel Pout Fishing Show with celebrities, Coors Light Castle, free Coors Light and rail drinks with your Official International Eel Pout Button, Eel Pout 500 “On-Ice” Auto Race on Garfield Lake, the Eel Pout Derby, Bikini Ice Fishing Team Fashion Show, and more! Please note that some of the events are weather permitting, however, the ice measures 20-25 inches thick in Walker Bay and the fishing contest and lake-based festivities will take place! 1-800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Park Rapids

1-800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com

Detroit Lakes

Area lakes are reported to offer good ice conditions with very little snow cover making lake travel easy for snowmobiles, ATVs, cars and trucks. A few access points are still impacted by shoreline ice heaves, but accesses on the most commonly fished lakes have been cleared, including on Little Detroit, Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Cotton, Pine, Cormorant and Pelican lakes. Please remember that it is important not to cross pressure ridges and to stay away from current areas, especially when temperatures are mild. The evening bite just before dark still seems to be the most active period, with fish relating to the edges of the flats and the first major breaks to deeper water. And don't miss the 2nd Annual Poles 'N Holes Fishing Derby this Saturday, February 11 on Little Detroit Lake. The derby kicks off Detroit Lakes' Polar Fest, with events scheduled through February 19 throughout Detroit Lakes. Gates open at 9:00 a.m., with the fishing contest beginning at noon--more than $30,000 in total prizes will be awarded! 1-800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area

Anglers continue to have success on Otter Tail Lake. Walleye are being pulled from the shoreline breaks and edges of the weeds in 14-20 feet of water. Fish can also be found around Grandpa's Island and the many flat areas at the points. Perch are on the flats in 10-12 feet of water. And on West Battle Lake, some nice panfish are coming from depths of 18-25 feet. And don't miss the Freeze Fest Winter Extravaganza in nearby Perham on Saturday, February 11. In addition to the Freeze Fest Fishing Tourney, enjoy the Freeze Your Face 5K Run, the "Freezin for a Reason" Polar Plunge, and a "Prairie, Lake, Forest: Minnesota's State Parks" presentation and Ministry of Jazz Concert: Dixieland and More. 1-800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com

Pine River

1-800-728-6926; http://www.pinerivermn.com

Whitefish Chain of Lakes Area

www.whitefish.org

Brainerd Lakes Area

Tip-ups and sucker minnows are triggering northern pike in 10-12 feet of water on Gull, Edward and North Long lakes. Sunfish action has been best in less than 10 feet of water on Nisswa, Round, and Gull lakes, especially when using glow jigs and Euro Larvae. Rattle spoons tipped with rainbow minnows or fatheads are turning walleye in depths of 14-32 feet in Steamboat Bay on Gull Lake, at the Highway 371 Bay on North Long Lake, and in Round and Pelican lakes. Crappies can be found suspended in 12-28 feet of water on Roy, Long and Round lakes. And towards the city of Crosby, crappies are hitting glow jigs and minnows on Upper Dean Lake during the day, with fish coming from 20 feet of water on Bay and Nokay lakes during low-light hours. Milford and Bass lakes are producing bluegills in depths of 14-20 feet, while Horseshoe and the Crooked Lake Chain have been giving up northern pike in depths of 8-15 feet. For walleye, hit depths of 21-28 feet on Pelican and Serpent lakes using setlines and rainbow minnows during the evening hours. And while in the area, be sure to check out the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, February 11 at Hole In The Day Bay on Gull Lake in Brainerd, with roughly 10,000 anglers competing for more than $200,000 in cash and prizes in 2012! Lots of activities open to the public will also be offered. 1-800-450-2838; www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs

1-800-526-8342; www.aitkin.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

On the east side of Lake Mille Lacs, the deep mud and gravel areas are giving up walleye and perch in 20-30 feet of water. The perch bite has been best during the day, with walleye being taken at sunset and after dark. Perch and northern pike are active in Cove, Wahkon and Isle bays in 15-17 feet of water. The ice roads have been marked, and most resorts are now allowing vehicle traffic to the flats. On the west end of the lake, the best perch reports are coming from the deep rocks in 26-28 feet of water, especially off Brown's and Seguchie points. Look for walleye in 16-20 feet of water in St. Alban's Bay during low-light hours. Also check out the tops and edges of the mud flats such as Seguchie, Sherman's, Boot, as well as the Five & Seven Mile gravel for good numbers of walleye. Use a vertiglo spoon or swimming jig tipped with a piece of minnow on your jig line, and a glow demon with a whole minnow on your bobber/rattle reel/tip-up rig. Snowmobiles and ATVs are the main mode of travel to the mud flats on west. 1-888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar

1-800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Few reports are available due to current warm temperatures causing changes in ice conditions in many areas.

Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

651/257-1177; www.chisagolakeschamber.com

White Bear Area Lakes

White Bear Lake has roughly 14 inches of ice from the VFW to Belair. Most of the walleye are down to around 17 feet of water on the east side. Crappies are coming from 14 feet in the weeds. Bald Eagle Lake remains entirely blocked off, and foot travel is the only way to access the lake. 651/653-5122; www.explorewhitebear.org

Waconia

952/442-5812; www.destinationwaconia.org

Southern Minnesota
Few reports are available due to current warm temperatures causing changes in ice conditions in many areas.

Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River

1-877-525-3248; www.lakecitymn.org

Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams

1-800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Rochester -Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers

The stream trout bite remains good on area streams! For a list and maps showing designated winter trout fishing streams, visit the Minnesota DNR Winter Trout Streams page. 1-800-634-8277; www.rochestercvb.org

Faribault Area Lakes

1-800-658-2354; www.visitfaribault.com

Albert Lea

Fountain Lake is giving up lots of crappies, perch and sunnies near the Edgewater Park Fishing Pier and in the Shoreland Beach area. On Albert Lea Lake, anglers report good numbers of walleye. 1-800-345-8414; www.albertleatourism.org

Fairmont Area Lakes

1-800-657-3280; www.fairmontcvb.com

Ortonville - Big Stone Lake

1-800-568-5722; www.bigstonelake.com