Wired2Fish April 3, 2025 "Veteran Pros Sound Off: Are Anglers Forgetting How To Fish?"
"Jimmy Houston has mixed feelings about forward-facing sonar. He doesn’t want to come off like a grumpy old-timer and say it should be banned. He uses LiveScope, which shows real-time movement of fish, at times and enjoys studying how the fish react to his baits. His point is, it can go too far. Many of the young guns who grow up fishing video-game style are missing out on some of the basics that will make them a better angler, Houston said.
“Forward-facing sonar has taught a lot of younger people to stop ‘fishing.’ They’re hunting now,” said Houston, one of the sport’s all-time greats. “They’ve got their heads down, staring at that screen, and they won’t even make a cast until they spot a fish. That’s really changed the ..." Read Full Story and Learn More >> Veteran Pros Sound Off: Are Anglers Forgetting How To Fish?
News Release April 2025 "MN DNR seeks public comment on Lake Superior fisheries rule proposals"
"News release: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is taking public comment on a proposal that would adjust the trout season dates for Lake Superior anglers and allow more harvest of Atlantic salmon.
The proposed rule revisions would change the start and end dates for the open season of trout fishing in stream tributaries above and below posted barriers.
For brook trout, splake, rainbow trout, and brown trout above barriers and splake and brook trout below barriers, the change would move the opener date from the Saturday nearest April 15 to the second Saturday in April. The season close date would move from Labor Day to Sept. 30 annually. These proposed dates would provide more consistency in trout fishing regulations in streams across northern Minnesota.
The rulemaking proposal would also eliminate a ..." Read Full Story >> MN DNR seeks public comment on Lake Superior fisheries rule proposals
More Recent Fishing Reports
Follow on X • Follow on Facebook • 4-3 Trout Fishing • 4-2 Minnow Supplies • Lake of the Woods 4-1-25 • MN DNR Fish Summit 2025 • MN-FISH Angler Summit 2025 • Ely MN 03-27 • Mille Lacs 2025 Walleye Limits • Mille Lacs Perch • 200 • Ice Out Predictions • Ely MN 03-06 • Perch Fishing • Sundin 02-24 • MN DNR Rule Changes 02-13 • MN Hall of Fame 01-24 • Charts 1-23-25 • MAPS 1-22-23 • Upper Red Lake 12-8 • Barotrauma Study 1-25-24 • Fish Consumption • Forward Sonar • Panfish Workgroup
April 2, 2025 "Minnesota Minnows Growing The Grow-Able"
Supplying Minnesota’s anglers with live minnows for fishing bait has always been a big job. Amidst concerns about importing “Aquatic Invasive Species”, strict regulations prevent the importation of minnows from out of state. Regulations prevent trapping minnows from AIS infested lakes and rivers taking a lot of prime water out of production too. Minnows that were once easy to harvest are now off limits because of fear that bait dealers will inadvertently transfer zebra mussels, faucet snails, spiny water fleas or a dozen other nasty critters that we haven’t even heard about yet.
Climate changes may also be altering the biomass of small ponds and streams, allowing predator species to flourish, while forcing declining minnow populations in the process.
Competition between bait trappers is fierce too; locating places to catch live minnows is increasingly complex. And when they find them, potential fishing waters must first be tested for purity, at the trapper’s expense, before any minnows can be taken. Add it all up and it’s easy to see why keeping up with angler demand is a seemingly impossible job for bait dealers in Minnesota.
One bright spot, or at least a potential point of light has been the birth of commercial bait farming in the state. A small number of private growers are beginning to deliver farm raised minnows to local bait shops. In Monday’s recap of the MN DNR Fisheries Summit, I mentioned one presentation about how supplying farm raised live bait can mitigate shortages of wild caught minnows.
“We’ve let our lakes and streams down and now, our lakes and streams are letting us down”, said Barry Thoele, owner, operator of Lincoln Bait LLC, in Staples Minnesota. Also serving as the baitfish representative for the Minnesota Aquaculture Association, Thoele provides consultation to the MN DNR. A veteran in the live bait business, Thoele has operated a wholesale bait business for over 32 years. Thoele believes that the historically fruitful methods of trapping wild minnows is simply not going to work going forward.
Thoele’s fish farm in Staples MN, features 13 ponds, a 3-raceway spawning system, 7000 square feet of hydroponic greenhouses, and 1 aquaponic research greenhouse. Dedicated to baitfish and locally grown food in central Minnesota, Thoele also raise produce for hospitals, school districts and local sales and is currently working on LCCMR funded research directed at producing Golden Shiners (a well-known baitfish) in modified systems.
As I followed along with Thoele’s presentation, I couldn’t help but think that if I had known about this 20 years ago, I’d probably be in the commercial bait farming business myself right now. The initial investments are modest, the turn-around times are reasonable and the demand for product is both immediate and robust.
During a break, I asked Thoele about the potential for raising other minnow species besides golden shiners. One species of particular interest to me, the Brassy Minnow is a wonderful alternative to both shiners and large fatheads. Brassies are lively, hearty, have a goldish-silverish shiny sheen and are the perfect size for walleyes and large panfish. Thoele, familiar with the Brassy Minnows says; “I don’t see any reason why they can’t be raised commercially, its just that nobody has thought of trying them yet. I’m pretty sure that if we tried them, it would work.”
I Thoele’s view, the bait industry would be better served by having lots of small growers, rather than a handful of large producers. “If bait store owners become dependent on a few large operators, and one of them suffers a crop failure, or seasonal setback, we’d be right back in the same pickle we’re in now,” Thoele concluded.
What, raising minnows for live bait doesn’t trip your trigger? Okay, aqua culture offers other opportunities too, produce like leafy greens, tomatoes and strawberries flourish in Thoele’s greenhouses. Used as a method of filtration for the minnow water, fresh produce offers a short-term and ongoing income source while minnows reach maturity and can be sold to bait stores. Walleye fingerlings, adult trout, sucker minnows and other larger gamefish can all be produced using these methods.
This is a developing story that I’ll be following and updating frequently. In the meantime, I can honestly tell you that if I was younger, and if I still owned my “hobby farm”, I’d already be making calls about how to get started in my own bait production business. If you’re thinking, “maybe this could be a good fit for me”, then I’d encourage you to investigate this right away. In my opinion, there is a lot of opportunity staring us in the face.
The Minnesota Aquaculture Association was formed in 2019 to support aquaculture in Minnesota. Their website slogan has a nice ring to it; “HEALTHY FISH | HEALTHY PEOPLE | HEALTHY PLANET”. The MNAA is currently seeking volunteers, members and sponsors. I’d suggest using this link to contact them as the initial source for more information. >> The Minnesota Aquaculture Association
Barry Thoele, Lincoln Bait LLC, offered his assistance too. You can learn more about his aquaculture and aquaponics operations with a simple internet search. I'm awaiting permission to share his contact information, and will update that as soon as possible.
As always, your comments and questions are welcome, let us know what's on your mind. 
— Jeff Sundin, The Early Bird Fishing Guide Office Cell Call or Text 218-245-9858 or Email on Facebook on X
Wired2Fish Spring 2025 "The Best Pike Lures of All Time"
"Northern pike (Esox lucius) are eating machines. Highly predatory, they will devour young of their own species and even fish close to their own size, not to mention other game fish, especially perch, walleyes, panfish, and pelagic baitfish like herring and ciscoes. All that considered, the best pike lures are typically outsized, but smaller than you’d fling for muskies, unless, of course, you’re fishing northern Canada or some place in Scandinavia.
These are my go-to baits; before making a choice from this list, I consider water depth, clarity, temperature, the vegetation in the area, and overall weather. I like spoons for cold water, and spinnerbaits slow-rolled. As water temps rise, I’ll fish the same lure, but speed up my retrieve. If I’m fishing around heavy weeds, I reach for the ..."Read Full Story and Learn More >> The Best Pike Lures of All Time
News Release April 1, 2025 "DNR sets open water fishing regulations for Upper Red Lake"
"Anglers fishing on Upper Red Lake during the 2025 open-water season that starts Saturday, May 10, will have a five-walleye possession limit, with only one walleye over 17 inches allowed.
“Upper Red Lake female spawning walleye have been managed at a level that has resulted in a number of strong year classes recently,” said Edie Evarts, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources area fisheries supervisor for Bemidji.
“The summer regulation is an opportunity for anglers to keep abundant young walleye while also maintaining the breeding fish at a level that continues to produce successful year classes.”
To continue producing the most successful year classes, enough female spawning walleye need to ..." Read Full Story >> DNR sets open water fishing regulations for Upper Red Lake
Lake of the Woods, LOW Tourism April 1, 2025
Spring open water fishing has begun on the Rainy River! The river channel is fully open in many areas and as of Monday, March 31, 2025, there are two boat ramps open. The Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale and the Frontier Access (about 8 miles to the west of Nelson Park) are both clear of ice. Boats are running the river and the ice pack is deteriorating by the day.
Initial reports for walleyes are very good with some big fish being caught. Most are jigging with either plastics or minnows. Use bright plastics such as chartreuse, orange, pink and white. for minnows, emerald shiners, fatheads and rainbows have all been productive. Trolling crankbaits against the current is also effective and will catch fish. This is also a good technique to cover water if you are not on fish.
Rainy River walleye fishing is catch and release from March 1, 2025 through April 14, 2025 on all of Four Mile Bay and the Rainy River.
Initial reports for sturgeon are also good. Anchored up in a hole or on the slope of a hole with a no roll sinker and sturgeon rig is the ticket. Lots of walleye anglers reporting sturgeon hookups as well. Here are the seasons for sturgeon fishing.
- Catch and Release Season: May 8th – May 15th and October 1 – April 23rd.
- Harvest Season: April 24th – May 7th and July 1 – September 30.
- Closed Season: May 16th – June 30th.
There is still some ice fishing taking place in select areas along the south shore. That said, most of the resorts and outfitters have pulled their fish houses and called it a good year. Make sure to call ahead to the resort or outfitter for current conditions if you plan on getting on the ice. Safety first always.
For those still fishing, some are still targeting walleyes. There continues to be a good morning or evening bite along the south shore just prior to sunset. Quality fish are being caught in a number of areas.
Most still ice fishing are targeting trophy pike. It was another great week with some big fish caught. Another week of big fish tipping that 40 inch mark with big girths. Suckers, frozen alewife and smelt set about a foot under the ice or just off of the bottom have proven effective.
It has been a great ice fishing season up at the Northwest Angle, but it's winding down. While there are a few locals still getting out, resorts have pulled off their fish houses and called it a year.
Plan for the MN Fishing Opener which is Saturday, May 10, 2025! The walleye and sauger season is open through April 14, 2025. Northern pike fishing never closes, and perch and crappie remain open year-round as well. You can fish for sturgeon through May 15th, 2025." — Lake of the Woods Tourism, (800) 382-FISH
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