Where Beauty & Nature intersect

With the waters warming up in some cases to the low 50 degree range—so is the fishing.  Look extremely close to shore—sometimes in 12-20” of water.  Gently cast a light float and small jig minnow combo past the fish (hopefully you found them by visibly scanning the shallows with polarized fishing glasses) and pull slowly […]

It’s happy days again, the ice is gone on many Park Rapids area lakes and thus begins the official open water fishing season.  And as the water temperatures rise so does the fishing action!  Personally,  I like 54 degrees for easy fishing, but decent fishing will start around 45 degrees.  The easiest way to find […]

Ice fishing is coming to an end quickly.  For me, it’s been a great productive ice fishing season.  Tons of fish have been caught, pictures taken, memories made for countless guests.  In a couple weeks, the open water guide season will start and I will again be working the 75 hour a week grind until […]

Kids on bikes. Shoppers without jackets. Grills on decks. “Snow birds” return. Sure signs of spring invite us to head outdoors to clean up debris winter left behind. Ice is not only retreating but at the stage some call “rotten ice,” spongy looking and poised to disappear with a good rain and a little wind. […]

Not much has changed since last week—except the ice conditions.   Schools of bluegills and crappies can be found in the shallows just under the remaining ice.  Depths of 3-8 ft are common.  On the other hand, there are big schools of pan fish suspended just out over the deep water near the spawning grounds.  They […]

Panfish, Panfish, Panfish.  Shallow water ice fishing has been good and really good when the weather warm up and melting occurs.  Along with the longer days comes the natural triggers of insect activity and baitfish moving shallow to eat—and the bluegills and crappies follow.  Sight fishing in 2-7 ft of water is the main stay. […]

MN DNR FISHING INFORMATION Fishing dates to remember Dec. 31-March 31: Stream trout in lakes entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Jan. 14-March 31: Stream trout in lakes outside the BWCA Jan. 1-April 14: Catch-and-release stream trout in southeast streams (Dodge, Goodhue, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha and Winona counties) April 1-Nov. 30: Flathead catfish season April 15-Oct. […]

With ice conditions failing quickly due to warm weather, rain, and wind.  Make a few phone calls before driving too far.  Walking at this point is the best way to go ice fishing.  Look for the sunfish and crappies in the shallows (3-6ft) in or next to the bulrushes/pencil reeds on larger weedy flats near […]

March weather can be most unpredictable, but once again it has felt more like the end of March than the end of February. Not the greatest news for winter recreation enthusiasts, but an early spring appeals to those tired of short, cloudy days. Walleye, pike and bass fishing season has ended in this part of […]

Crappie action is what’s on my plate now.   Last week proved that a “early late ice bite” can happen.  Although the crappies are still over mid depth ranges 15-20ft, they are starting to concentrate outside future spawning areas and feeding quit good.  They are also using the entire water column.  Keep an eye on your […]