Detroit Lakes Fishing Report (3/14/25)

Thick ice continues to cover area lakes, which is great news for panfish anglers that like to get out this time of year. The evenings have been cool which has kept most shoreline ice passable on many local lakes. Today

As I mentioned last week, crappies will be transitioning to their pre-spawn patterns soon.  Currently, you will still find them suspended over deep holes, but also on the edge of weedbeds and other structure, anywhere from 8’-22’.  You’ll find sunfish in those areas too, albeit at different times of the day.  Small hair jigs tipped with wax worms are extremely effective for panfish this time of year. 

The hardwater walleye bite is excellent on Lake of the Woods right now, but the ice conditions are changing so you need to be careful. Rainy River is not accessible quite yet so those planning to fish the river have some more time to prepare.

Next week I will talk more about ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, the early river season and the current conditions at Rainy River.  For those with the itch, there’s no better place to start the open water season than up north.  Until next week, good luck ice fishing…or prepping that boat!