Thick ice and good fishing can be found around the Park Rapids area!
Crappie fishing has been good—with many of the lakes providing action all day long! Depth ranges can vary from 12-25ft depending on the lake that’s being fished. Crappie minnows on a plain #6 hook under a bobber has been the ticket on most days. However, a spike or wax worm on a small tungsten or lead glow jig has also been good—especially during low light periods.
Walleyes have been coming top side courtesy of gold or silver jigging spoons like the JBlures Weasel or Glow Bones spoon. Try the ¼ oz sizes.
Northern Pike have been hitting shiner minnows like crazy suspeneded about 2 ft off the bottom over 9-12 ft of water. Weeds are a must for good all day pike spot. Try hooking the minnow on a #2 chartreuse hook for added attraction.
Bluegills can still be found in large numbers in the shallow weeds as well. Try weed flats near deep water (but connected to shore) in the 7-12 ft depth range. A small Northland Tackle puppet minnow will attract and catch the big ‘gills, but I have been getting a ton of nice eater sized gills on a Jb lures 1/16 oz Big Bad Bo spoon or a #10 sunfish colored Glitter Glow.
Lotsa Fish! Lotsa Fun! Minnesota Fishing Guide Service, Captain Josh Hagemeister.
Helpful links:
Park Rapids American Legion Fishing Derby – February 2
Our new Discovery Guide is out, request one at this link for lake maps and all the lodging info you’ll need to plan a fishing trip.