Lake of the Woods
Limits of walleye and saugers and the occasional flurry of jumbo perch can be had in 32 to 34 feet on or adjacent to any of the reefs farther out in the lake. Consistent reports also are coming from west of Pine Island, Morris Point and Zippel Bay. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes and jumbo perch are most active in 25 feet of water throughout the day. The Birchdale, Minn., area of the Rainy River has started giving up walleyes, as well.
Devils Lake
Walleye fishing remains pretty good. The recent snowfall hampered travel a bit, but most areas of the lake now have plowed trails. According to the latest update from Devils Lake Tourism, East Bay has trails tying into Ackerman Acres, Six-Mile Bay is plowed to Doc Hagens, Lakewood is cleared at the access only, and Creel Bay is open through Woodland Resort for a $7 fee.
According to the latest report from fishing guide Jeff Dosch, best walleye action is coming from sunken roads and flooded points in 6 to 22 feet of water. Perch fishing continues to be spotty, the report said, so staying mobile is crucial. Pike fishing is good, and fish are hitting smelt or herring below tip-ups; jigging with spoons and a full minnow also is working well, the report said.
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Upper Red Lake
The north shore has started producing walleyes in 12 to 14 feet of water. Work the cribs and rock reefs with jigging spoons or setlines and minnows. On the south shore, reports have been slightly slower, but Center Bar continues to produce some walleyes. The evening and nighttime hours seem to be most productive. Walleye anglers again this week have landed several good-sized pike.
Bemidji area
Walleye reports have been minimal, but perch remain active on the north end of Lake Bemidji and Pike Bay of Cass Lake in 25 feet to 35 feet of water.
Lake Irving is producing perch in 20 to 30 feet. Grace Lake, Beltrami Lake, Movil Lake, Puposki Lake and Turtle River Lake are safe bets for crappies and bluegills. Northern pike are being taken on tip-ups and sucker minnows on most lakes in 10 to 15 feet of water.
Blackduck area
Look to Blackduck Lake for perch on the 20- to 22-foot mud areas. Anglers also are finding a few walleyes late in the day in 10 to 12 feet of water on Blackduck. Other walleye reports are limited, and panfish action has been extremely slow. Anglers are seeing fish on their electronics but can't get them to bite.
Leech lake area
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Walleyes are most active early and late in the day on the Goose Island Flats in 14 to 18 feet of water or the deep humps in Walker Bay. Perch action is improving, with decent reports coming from 8 to 12 feet in the Narrows and Goose Island area. Bluegills and crappies remain tough to find in most bays and small lakes.
Downhill skiing report
- Buena Vista Ski Area near Bemidji: 36- to 48-inch base, 8 inches new snow in the past week, snowmaking in progress. The 27th annual Buena Vista Logging Days is set for Saturday with numerous events on tap. Skiing hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Terrain park: 4 to 8 p.m. today and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Info: (218) 243-2231 or on the Web at www.bvskiarea.com .
- Frostfire Ski and Snowboard Area near Walhalla, N.D.: 24- to 35-inch base, 12 inches of new snow, all runs open. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today through Sunday. Info: (701) 549-3600 or on the Web at frostfireskiarea.com.
Area snowmobile report
- Grand Forks area (Red River South): Trail system is open and being groomed, 10-inch base, 2 inches new snow, local snow depth 20 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
- Grafton, N.D., area (Red River North): Trail system is open and being groomed except for Trail CR 4, which is closed; 8-inch base, 2 inches new snow, local snow depth 20 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
- Pembina Gorge Trail (Northeast): Trails are open, in good condition and being groomed; 9-inch base, 2 inches new snow, local snow depth 22 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
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- Devils Lake area (Lake Region): Trail system is open, and grooming is scheduled to be completed today. Trail is in good to excellent condition; 9-inch base, 1 inch new snow, local snow depth 19 inches. Trail hot line: (701) 328-5377.
- Beltrami Island State Forest-East: Excellent conditions, 52½ miles groomed, 5-inch base, local snow depth 17 inches.
- Big Bog State Recreation Area: Excellent conditions, groomed, 5-inch trail base, local snow depth 17 inches.
- Lake Bemidji State Park: Excellent conditions, three miles groomed, 5-inch base, local snow depth 13 inches.
- Lake Bronson State Park, Minn.: Very good conditions, three miles groomed, 3-inch base, local snow depth 9 inches.
- Old Mill State Park, Minn.: Good snowmobiling conditions, one-mile groomed, 3-inch base, local snow depth 10 inches.
- Zippel Bay State Park, Minn.: Excellent conditions, two miles groomed, 6-inch base, local snow depth 16 inches.
Cross-country ski report
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- Turtle River State Park, N.D.: Trail conditions are good. The forecast is calling for highs in the 20s and possible flurries throughout the weekend. There is about an 8-inch base for the ski trails. The trails were groomed Thursday, but grooming this weekend will be dependent on snowfall.
- Grahams Island State Park, N.D.: Trail system is in great shape, with a packed base of 10 to 12 inches. There are a few small pillow drifts on the open meadow trail, but the remainder of the trails in the trees are smooth. Trails will be tracked today.
- Icelandic State Park, N.D.: Trails were last groomed Jan. 8; no new report since Jan. 20, when conditions were listed as good but a little slick from recent warm temperatures.
- Lake Bemidji State Park: Excellent conditions, nine miles groomed, 5-inch base, local snow depth 13 inches.
- Lake Bronson State Park, Minn.: Fair conditions, seven miles groomed, 4-inch base, local snow depth 9 inches.
- Old Mill State Park, Minn.: Fair skiing conditions, six miles groomed, 4-inch base, local snow depth 10 inches.
- Zippel Bay State Park, Minn.: Excellent conditions, seven miles groomed, 6-inch base, local snow depth 16 inches.
