Lake of the Woods
Some of the best fishing reports along the south shore are coming from five to seven miles out in 30 to 32 feet of water. The bigger walleyes have been suspended, so good electronics are essential.
Farther west, anglers fishing near Springsteel have had their best luck in 16 to 18 feet of water near the "DNR Reef" and the south tip of Buffalo Point. Zippel Bay Resort opened its "Igloo" bar for the season Sunday, and the best fishing reports are coming from 23 to 25 feet of water during the day and in 7 to 10 feet of water mornings and evenings.
In the Northwest Angle area, Frank Walsh of Bay Store Camp on Oak Island said winter fishing is off to its best start in years. Anglers fishing rock reef structure are catching numbers of walleyes, he said, including many in the 18- to 19-inch range.
Devils Lake
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Fishing was good in the days leading up to the latest storm system, according to Thursday's report from Woodland Resort. The resort is plowing about six miles of trails on Creel Bay but beyond that, access is basically limited to tracked ATVs or snowmobiles. Slush is an issue in some areas.
Pike fishing is good, the resort said, with some of its spear houses producing some big fish. Walleye fishing has been good for some. Perch action is spotty, but anglers fishing the resort's rental houses have caught some dandy jumbos.
Downhill ski report
- Buena Vista Ski Area near Bemidji: 20- to 38-inch base, groomed powder, making snow, 25 inches of natural and manmade snow in the past two weeks; open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday for skiing and snowboarding and noon to 8 p.m. on the same days for tubing. Info: www.bvskiarea.com .
- Frostfire Ski Area near Walhalla, N.D.: 25- to 35-inch base, trace of new snow, making snow when necessary. Open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Monday. Info: www.frostfireskiarea.com .
Cross-country skiing report
- Turtle River State Park, N.D.: Cross-country ski trails (loops A and B) are open and in fair condition with a trail base of 4 inches. Trails were groomed Dec. 22.
- Lake Bemidji State Park: Very good conditions, 2- to 3-inch base, 10 miles groomed, local snow depth 12 inches.
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- Lake Bronson State Park, Minn.: Excellent conditions, seven miles groomed, local snow depth 18 inches.
- Zippel Bay State Park: Excellent conditions, 8-inch base, seven miles groomed, local snow depth 15½ inches.
- Icelandic State Park, N.D.: Trail in poor condition and closed.
- Grahams Island State Park: The three-mile cross-county ski trail is open in good condition and was groomed Wednesday; local snow depth 30 inches.
Snowmobile trails report
- Red River South: Northern portion of the trail system is in the process of opening. Trails around Grand Forks are open and were groomed Dec. 23. More grooming is planned after the storm subsides. Conditions: 5-inch base, local snow depth 12 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
- Red River North: System is open and sections are being groomed; no more grooming planned until more snow falls; 5-inch base, local snow depth 10 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
- Northeastern N.D.: Northern portion of trail system closed for preparation, and the eastern portion is closed because of lack of snow. Sections in southwest portion are open and being groomed; 5-inch base, local snow depth 14 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
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- Devils Lake Region: System is open and groomed, and conditions are good; additional grooming planned when storm and winds subside; 13-inch base, local snow depth 27 inches. Trail hotline: (701) 328-5377.
- Beltrami Island State Forest East: Fair conditions, with part of the 52.5-mile system groomed; local snow depth 12 inches.
n Lake Bemidji State Park: Good conditions, groomed, 1- to 2-inch base, local snow depth 12 inches.
- Lake Bronson State Park, Minn.: Good snowmobile conditions, trails not groomed, local snow depth 18 inches.
- ippel bay State Park, Minn.: Excellent snowmobile conditions, groomed, 8-inch base, local snow depth 15½ inches. -- Herald staff report
