1/26 Rochester Area Fishing Report

  • hof
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 2443
    #1317613

    Most area ice is around 6-10 inches, but there may be a few areas with thinner ice due to the warmer weather. Use caution and remember that the DNR always says that no ice is ever 100% safe.

    Foster Arends Lake:
    Minnows, waxies, and power bait are working on trout or try flash lures like Swedish Pimples. Some small crappies, perch, and gills are also being caught.

    Lake Zumbro:
    Some nice bluegills and a few crappies are being caught. Fish are fairly tight to the bottom in deep water. Ice jigs tipped with waxies or spikes seem to be working best, but minnows are starting to produce a few fish. Some catfish are also biting. Small stripers or shiners can be pests.

    Chester Woods:
    Some nice gills and a few crappies are being caught on ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike. Be careful around exposed wood as it absorbs heat and the ice will be thinner around the wood.

    Willow Creek:
    Some nice gills are being caught on ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike.

    Boyscout (Gamehaven) Lake:
    Good action on gills and crappies. Ice jigs tipped with spikes or waxies are working.

    Mississippi River backwaters:
    Most of the backwaters have 4-10 inches of ice. Some of the areas do have some current or springs, so the ice may not be safe in those areas. Wilcox, Finger Lakes, West Newton, the Dike Road, Moseman’s, and several boat harbors should be worth checking for action on gills and crappies. Ice jigs tipped with a waxie or small jigs with plastic (like Ratso’s) are usually best.

    Stop by Hooked On Fishing for all your fishing needs. We have the largest selection of ice jigs in the area, and offer new ice auger blades at the lowest prices. We also have minnows, waxies, and spikes.
    We are located 1 1/2 miles past 37 St. NW on Hwy. 63 (North Broadway.)

    Good Fishing,
    Mike

    StaleMackrel
    Posts: 443
    #414930

    Mike, Fish catching has slowed down a lot, as usual, at this time of the year. I was on the Finger Lakes last Thursday and Friday. I had to hang in there to catch 7 1/2 to 8 inch sunnies. I also kept two huge perch. Huge is 12 inches! I spent a lot of time and did a lot of drilling to catch those fish. My reports from my friends in the Rochester area lakes say the same. Just my 2 cents worth. JJ

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    #414987

    I have found late morning and right around sundown to be good for gills to bite. Depths in the 4-5 ft and 7-10 ft were best for me over the last two weeks on reserviors in the Rochester area. Ice jigs with waxies were the bait used. Look forward to hearing everybodies fishing reports on how you do this weekend as I will be at the Sport and Boat show all weekend.
    Thanks, Bill

    hooknfinger
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 1290
    #415028

    i was all over last weekend. West newton was dead, LOTS of fish on teh aqua vu, nothing would bite. The dike road was horrible, but did see a huge dog fish on the camera we tried a spot right by teh bait station in alma and there was a lot of people and lots of little sunnies being caught.

    wilcox was slow and but was marking a lot of fish on the vex

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    #415044

    Had the same problem during the afternoon. Tons of fish on the Vexilar but didn’t care to bite too much til it became closer to sundown and then it was a different world. FISH ON!
    Thanks, Bill

    lars
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 308
    #415189

    Dito on marking fish with small results, we went to Zumbro on the 26th and I was marking fish pretty much the whole time with minimal results. There was three of us and the best presentation for us was a chart. or orange colored hook under a float with a waxie. I was switching jigs and colors for a while then got tired of tying, we pulled out with keeping 13 real nice sunnies, no craps and the ocassional whitey.

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