The last weekend of the ice fishing walleye/northern pike season has ended, but the ice fishing season is not over! We have phenomenal panfishing and more in March, also known as “late” or “last ice!” This is also a good time to renew your annual MN fishing license! We’ve noticed about 18-25 inches of ice in the area, and some drifting is occurring due to the recent snowstorm! Snow can make travel difficult, have backup plans for traveling on and off the lakes. Foot travel, plowed roads, ATVs with tracks or chains and snowmobiles recommended. There are several lakes with plowed roads from accesses or resorts; please don’t drill holes or fish on or right next to roads. Please ensure you’re checking ice conditions frequently (follow the MN DNR Ice Guidelines).
-Catch crappies and bluegills in basins/holes of 20-30ft (finding fish suspended in the water column). Jig crappies with 5mm or 7mm Tungsten jigs tipped with a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum or wax worms, 1/16oz Frostee Spoon or glide-bait style lure, such as a Crystal Reaper or Jigging Rap (I’ve had a lot of success with a small tungsten jig with a soft plastic or wax worm too). The same tactics are working for tullibees/ciscoes. Schools are roaming slowly now, and moving to varying spots is a good idea until you mark fish; unless you plan to sit out the wait for a school to circle through your location. At times, try still fishing without jigging to see if fish are being deterred by the vibrations from jigging. Jig higher in the water column, a good rule of thumb is splitting the depth in half and jigging at that location in the water column as well as jigging within 2-3ft from the bottom. Pluck fish from the top of schools to avoiding scattering the school. Bluegills continue hitting tungsten jigs tipped with the tail end of a Mister Twister Sassy Stingum or wax worm on weed flats or soft bottom areas in those similar locations. Other great options to target include tullibees or inland trout.
Good luck out there! We’re looking forward to the late ice season! Have fun, stay safe and Happy Hawg Hunting!
Dustin Monson
Hawg Hunterz Guide Service LLC
Ph: 320-293-2442
Email: mrhawghunter@hotmail.com
Website: Www.hawghunterzguideservice.weebly.com