Where Beauty & Nature intersect

The sun is shining and the fish are active on the Park Rapids area waters. While the birds are using fishing line as nesting material; our local anglers hope to use it to pull in a monster bass for this weekend’s opener. The ten day weather forecast is predicting most days to be in the […]

The frost is still growing on the windshields of Park Rapids area vehicles in the early morning hours but the weatherman is predicting that summer will get a firmer grip in the coming ten day forecast. If the predictions become reality, our area water temperatures will finally warm up and so will the angling action. […]

The 2014 Park Rapids Area Fishing Opener is upon us….at last! The buzz of the line winding station has been heard daily as the fishermen have been preparing for another heavy opener day walleye bite. We had one of the coldest winters on record and the surface water temps reflect that fact by remaining below […]

Mother Nature is slowly setting the stage for summer. The ice is out and the Loons are back! A year ago excitement was spreading about hosting the Governor’s Fishing Opener. It seemed everyone was involved in preparations. Leaders made lemonade out of lemons. When the big day came and most lakes were still frozen, the […]

Weekly Fishing Report Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store As the temperatures are predicted to rise into the 50’s over the course of the next week, the bite will be progressively more active in the Park Rapids Area. The lakes will re-oxygenate as the sun melts the surrounding snow and ice. The panfish bite has […]

April 2014Chasing spring As a friend says, the first day of spring is not the same as the first spring-like day. We wait for the snow to leave, the lake ice to melt and the loons to return. Like gardeners deciding which seeds to start indoors and which ones to sew later, community groups gather […]

Weekly Fishing Report  Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store The Park Rapids Area Fishery has been putting smiles on the faces of local anglers as the bluegill, perch and crappie action is heating up. Don’t be afraid to start moving to shallower waters; as the lakes re-oxygenate, the crappie will move as shallow as 6 […]

Weekly Fishing Report Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store Thursday, March 13, 2014 Our recent above average air temperatures in the Park Rapids Area have helped to melt snow and re-oxygenate our waterways. Take advantage of an active spring panfish bite; which is now underway. Find a weed bed in 10 to 18 feet of […]

  Weekly Fishing Report – March 6, 2014 Submitted by Smokey Hills Outdoor Store The weatherman is finally predicting some more manageable ice fishing weather. Temperatures in the high 20’s to high 30’s will make fishing from a portable fish house more enjoyable in the coming days. Skandia’s™ Pelkie™ ice jig tipped with a waxie […]

Tired of winter? Embrace it Snowmobilers, cross country skiers and those who just enjoy the beautiful landscape are loving the snow Mother Nature delivered this winter. Walleye, pike and bass fishing season has ended in this part of Minnesota, but avid anglers can still enjoy excellent pan fishing here. Subzero nights have kept the ice […]