Articles

Paul Nelson column for June 26: Walleyes spread out as summer arrives

The hot weather this past week caused a spike in surface water temperatures in Bemidji area lakes, which quickly moved bass, crappies and sunfish into the shallows to spawn.

Water temperatures likely near their peak for the season

Surface water temperatures in the Bemidji area are holding steady in the low to mid 70s, which is near the high point for the summer in most lakes.

Eelpout Festival to be held on Leech Lake this weekend

It takes some imagination to see signs of spring when temperatures are below zero, the woods are full of snow and the lakes are covered with more than 20 inches of ice.

Panfish action hot as area lakes begin to melt

Spring arrived this week and many anglers have given up on ice fishing for the season, but there are still a few die hard anglers out on the lakes enjoying some great late season ice fishing.

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March comes in like a lion

The 2006-07 fishing and shelter licenses expired on Thursday, so anglers will need to buy new fishing and shelter licenses to continue ice fishing in Minnesota waters.

Fish move to wintering areas

October arrives on Sunday, with peak fall colors in most of northern Minnesota expected this week.

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Wind big factor in fall fishing

Fall was in the air this week as some areas got nipped by frost for the first time this season. There hasn’t been a killing frost yet, but some of the leaves on the trees are starting to change colors anyway because of the dry conditions.

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Low water levels creating hazards on area lakes

Classes are now in session in schools and colleges across Minnesota and the summer tourist season is over in the Bemidji area.

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Busy weekend ahead for lakes in the Bemidji area

Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer tourist season in the Bemidji area. Some summer residents will begin to pack out their cabins and take out their docks this weekend in preparation for fall.

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Fall cooldown means new patterns for fish

The fall cooldown has begun on area lakes and some fish have started to move into their fall patterns. Each morning there is another layer of dead algae on the lakes from the cool overnight temperatures. The water in the lakes will get progressively clearer as the algae dies, which increases visibility for the fish.

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Columns

Paul Nelson column for Nov. 13: It’s too warm for deer, but just right for fishing

The weather in the Bemidji area is turning out to be just like the proverbial box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get.

Paul Nelson column for Nov. 6: Deer hunting starts; anglers lament season’s end

The rifle deer season opens Saturday morning in the Bemidji area and most of Minnesota.

Paul Nelson column: If weather cooperates, fish can still be found

November arrives on Sunday with 10 hours and 2 minutes of daylight. The Bemidji area is losing about 18 minutes of daylight per week, which is about 2½ minutes per day.

Paul Nelson column for Oct. 23: Bemidji area lakes getting ready to freeze

If the current weather trend continues, this month will go down as one of the coldest Octobers on record in Minnesota. This comes after last month was one of the warmest Septembers. Who knows what we can expect in November.

Paul Nelson fishing column for Oct. 16: Anglers still hoping for some fall fishing

Winter is long enough without adding a month to the season, which appears to be what is happening this fall.

Paul Nelson column for Oct. 9: Weather better for duck hunting than fishing

Cold, rain and wind kept most anglers off Bemidji area lakes this past week. The extended forecast for this weekend includes lots of cold and wind, with a possibility of snow, which will likely be better for duck hunting than fishing.

Paul Nelson column for Oct. 2: Fish move into fall patterns as water cools

The Bemidji area was hit with its first hard frost this past week and the leaves on the trees are turning color fast.

Paul Nelson column for Sept. 25: Fall fishing patterns beginning to develop in Bemidji area

Fall has arrived on the calendar and it is starting to feel more like autumn in the Bemidji area, especially in the mornings.

Paul Nelson column for Sept. 18: Fishing still good while hunting seasons open

The first half of September has had some of the nicest weather of the summer in the Bemidji area. Temperatures have been unseasonably warm, the weather has been stable and the light winds have been mostly from the south.

Paul Nelson column for Sept. 11: Cool summer helps fish grow and survive

The Bemidji area received some of the nicest weather of the summer the last couple of weeks, which is entirely consistent with the unpredictable nature of weather patterns in northern Minnesota.