More than 2 feet of snow ended what had been good panfish action on most lakes. If the snow melts and the water soaks away quick enough, there's a chance anglers could walk out and extend the ice fishing season.
Brainerd/Nisswa area
The ice is in good shape and shorelines are holding up. Panfish are shallow and bigger fish prefer glow jigs and Eurolarvae. Round Lake, Lake Hubert and North Long Lake provide the best crappie and sunfish action.
Cass Lake area
Six- to 8-foot sand flats on Cass Lake and Pike Bay Lake are producing perch. Bluegills and crappies are being found in four to 12 feet in Allen's Bay on Cass and the island area of Big Lake. Look to Sucker Lake, Grace Lake, and Pimushe Lake for panfish as well.
Crosby area
Small plastics are producing decent crappie numbers during the evening on the weedlines of most lakes. Find green weeds in less than 6 feet of water and you'll find plenty of bluegills as well. ATV and foot travel is recommended in this area.
Duluth area
There's a lot of ice on the inland lakes and the shorelines remain intact. Fish Lake has been the best panfish option, with bluegills hitting in 8 to 10 feet and crappies in 10 to 12 feet. Kamloops action has picked up in the French River area of Lake Superior. Shore anglers have done well with waxies under a float or Looper Bugs tipped with crawlers or spawn sacs.
Lake Mille Lacs
ATVs and walking are safe options, but watch the shorelines as they're starting to pull away. Isle Bay, Cove Bay and Wahkon Bay are producing perch in 15 feet and crappies in 8 to 10 feet.
Lake of the Woods
Ice fishing reports have been minimal. The big story in the region has been the open-water bite on the Rainy River. The Birchdale access is wide open, allowing big boats on the river. The bite's been excellent, with 100-fish days reported and large walleyes mixed in.
Lake Winnibigoshish
Until 24 to 30 inches of snow fell last weekend, the west side was producing perch in shallow water. While the ice is solid, deep snow has prevented anyone from getting out.
Leech Lake area
There's plenty of ice, but 20 inches of snow brought a quick end to what had been a good perch bite. Accessing the lake is nearly impossible even with a snowmobile now that slush has settled under the snow.
St Cloud area
If you can still get on, lakes such as Cedar Island, East, Pearl and Horseshoe are worth noting for panfish in shallow water.
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