Lake of the Woods
Anglers had good fishing in 24 feet to 32 feet of water last week along the south shore with the warmer temperatures, Lake of the Woods Tourism reported in its weekly update. In addition to the traditional daytime bite, some anglers reported catching fish after dark on structure, which is not typical on Lake of the Woods. Anglers continue to find walleyes in 15 feet to 17 feet of water during the morning and evening hours. Resorts and outfitters have been busy keeping ice roads in good shape during the warm weather, which caused the ice to shift in places.
Up at the Northwest Angle, ice conditions are good where resorts have ice roads or trails, and fishing has remained steady in 18 feet to 28 feet of water. Snowmobile trails on and around the lake are marked and groomed, Lake of the Woods Tourism said.
Devils Lake
The recent cold snap improved ice conditions, and there's now anywhere from 14 inches to as much as 20 inches of ice on parts of the main basin, Tanner Cherney of Devils Lake Tourism reports. Walleye action has been best that first hour of daylight in the morning and the last hour before dusk, Cherney said. Gold has been a good color for both walleyes and perch. As always, the key to perch success is hole hopping to find and stay on the fish. Pike anglers have reported good fishing, especially later in the afternoon, fishing smelt below tip-ups in shallower water.
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In related news, all systems are go for the 34th annual Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department Ice Fishing Tourney, set for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday on Six-Mile Bay. Alvin Schroeder, one of the tournament's organizers, said the area of Six-Mile Bay where the event is held had 22 inches of ice a couple of weeks ago. A crew of volunteers will hit the ice about 8 a.m. Saturday to drill about 6,000 holes for the tournament, Schroeder said. This year's event features more than $325,000 in prizes. Saturday's forecast for Devils Lake calls for cloudy skies, a 30 percent chance of snow, a high of 14 degrees and a northwest wind of 14 to 18 mph, with gusts up to 29 mph so tournament participants should dress for the conditions. More information and a full schedule of events is available at dlvfdicefishingtourney.com.
Ski and trails report
• Buena Vista Ski Area near Bemidji: 18- to 40-inch base, making snow, no new snow. Sunday, Jan. 28, is "Honor Our Troops" day, with with special prices for lift tickets and ski and board rentals for all military members, including veterans, and their immediate families. Info: (218) 243-2231 or bvskiarea.com.
• Detroit Mountain Recreation Area near Detroit Lakes, Minn.: 19- to 60-inch base, no new snow, making snow. Info: detroitmountain.com.
• Turtle River State Park near Arvilla, N.D.: Trails were listed as open and in excellent condition and scheduled for grooming Thursday, Jan. 25. Snow depth 12 to 13 inches.
• Grahams Island State Park near Devils Lake: Trails were in good condition and scheduled for grooming Friday, Jan. 19, as of latest update Jan. 12. Local snow depth 10 inches.
• Hayes Lake State Park near Roseau, Minn.: Ski and snowmobile trails are in excellent condition with a 5-inch base; 6 miles of snowmobile trail groomed; local snow depth 14 inches.
• Itasca State Park, Minn.: Ski trails are in good condition with a 4-inch base and 13 miles groomed. Snowmobile trails are fair, with a 1- to 3-inch base and 31 miles groomed; local snow depth 10 inches.
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• Lake Bemidji State Park: Ski trails are excellent with a 4-inch base and 9 miles groomed. Snowmobile trails are excellent with a 4-inch base and 3 miles groomed; local snow depth 11 inches.
• Lake Bronson State Park, Minn.: Ski trails were groomed Jan. 20 and are in very good condition with a 5-inch base. Snowmobile trails are fair and partially groomed with a 5-inch base; local snow depth 8 inches.
• Old Mill State Park, Minn.: Snowmobile trails are groomed and in good condition with a 5-inch base; local snow depth 11 inches.
• Zippel Bay State Park on Lake of the Woods: Ski trails are groomed and in excellent condition with a 7-inch base. Snowmobile trails are listed as very good with a 7-inch base and 3 miles groomed; local snow depth 14 inches.
• Red River North snowmobile trail: Open trails are in poor to fair condition. Other trails in northeast North Dakota are listed as closed because of inadequate snow conditions. Info: snowmobilend.org.
-- Herald staff reports
