2/13 Rochester Area Report

Lake Zumbro –Bluegills are being found in deep water and holding close to bottom. Crappies are usually 2-5 ft. above the bottom in deep water. Minnows and waxies are working. Some nice perch are also being caught. Ice is 10-15 inches with possible thin ice in areas. There is some current running through this body of water, so be extra careful!

Chester Woods – Bluegills and crappies are being caught. The fish will usually be at least 10-15 ft. deep over even deeper water. Try small jigs tipped with either a waxie or spike. Minnows may produce some crappies. Low light periods have been best for crappies. Ice is approximately 10-15 inches thick. Stay clear of wood sticking out of the water as it absorbs heat from sunlight and the ice will be thinner near it.

KR7 reservoir – Lots of smaller fish being caught with an occasional nice perch or bluegill. Try to locate the deeper water which is only 7-10 ft. and use smaller ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike. Minnows might also produce perch or crappies. Ice is reported to be 12-16 inches.

Foster-Arends Lake – Some trout are being caught, as well as some crappies and sunfish. Minnows, jigging spoons, or small jigs tipped with a waxie are working well. Power bait can also be very good for the trout. Ice is 10-15 inches most places.

Country Club Manor pits – Bluegills and crappies are being caught. Try small ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike.

Willow Creek Reservoir –Bluegills are being caught using a small ice jig tipped with a waxie or spike. Ice is reported to be 9-15 inches.

Gamehaven (boyscout) Lake – Bluegills and crappies are being caught using a small ice jig tipped with a waxie or spike. Minnows are also producing some crappies. Ice is reported to be 9-15 inches.

Mississippi River backwaters – Areas with any current need to be avoided because ice will be thinner. Crappies, bluegills, perch, northern, bass, etc. are available. Try a variety of different baits including ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike, jigging spoons, minnows, or plastics (like Ratso’s). Most areas have at least 10 inches of ice.

Thanks Mike.

Please be sure and support Hooked On Fishing with your bait and tackle needs in appreciation of all the fishing reports Mike provides for all of us anglers so we may enjoy our time on the water/ice more.
Thanks, Bill

Awesome Mike!!!

Here’s a quick report from my findings the last week (because Bill asked nicely )

We fished Lake Zumbro last Saturday…..action was slow but steady. Lots of trucks on the ice. Numbers were lacking but size was decent (average Lake Zumbro sized sunnies).

Backwaters around Winona have been Slooooooooow. Abundent sunnies at Airport, but you’ve really got to sort for anything decent……not worth getting cold fingers if ya ask me ….same situation on Lake Winona unless you know what you’re doing for nicer crappies (I don’t )

The Main River on Pool ” ” gave up 6 decent sauger tonight in a couple hours (12-17″). Blue jiggin raps…..fish vanished after 6pm .

Patiently waiting for SPRING!!!!

Thanks Jake. May I please kindly ask you to keep giving us reports and updates on the Winona area along with wherever you fish? I’m sure everyone appreciates all the fishing info they can get their hands on. Again Thanks Bud.
Thanks, Bill

Got to agree with Jake on Bartlett. Was there Wenesday and about 20 little ones for every decent one. Jake do you have any idea what they are doing below the spill way at Prairie Island? Fish that a lot during the summer and hate to see them change it too much.Thanks.

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Jake do you have any idea what they are doing below the spill way at Prairie Island?

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I have no idea, but they’ve sure got some big rigs workin out there. It was pretty impressive watching them half way across crushing up the 2′ of ice below the rocks.

Tried fishing out there one day last week and it sucked