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Spawning walleyes still waiting for warmer temperatures

The record early spring wasn’t as early as it first appeared, at least as far as the lakes are concerned.

Cold water temperatures can negatively impact spawn

Most lakes in the Bemidji area would still be covered with ice if this was a normal spring. Lake Bemidji is usually ice free around April 26.

Final busy weekend of the summer has arrived

Labor Day represents the last big weekend of summer for many visitors to the Bemidji area. The majority of schools and colleges across the country will be in session by next week so summer vacation will be over for many families after this weekend.

Timing, persistence keys to catching walleyes

Summer is a time of plenty for walleyes and other predator species living in the lakes in the Bemidji area. There is such an abundance of food and so many different choices fish are able to live in just about any part of the lake and still be able to find enough food to eat.

Fish begin their transition into summer patterns

Several consecutive days of hot weather was just the boost the bass, crappies and sunfish needed to get them moving onto their spawning beds, but more cold weather can move them back off just as quickly.

Ice conditions on area lakes continue to deteriorate

The end of the 2011 ice fishing season in the Bemidji area is quickly approaching. Warmer temperatures and rain this past week have deteriorated the accesses on many lakes, especially those that are heavily traveled or directly exposed to the afternoon sun.

Spring melt could hamper access to area lakes

The spring melt has begun again in the Bemidji area. How long the ice fishing season will last depends on how fast the lakes thaw. As long as temperatures stay below freezing at night the ice fishing season should be able to continue.

Area lakes continue to make ice as winter lingers

March has arrived and there should be signs of spring everywhere but it still feels like winter in the Bemidji area.

Walleye, northern pike fishing seasons end Sunday

This is the last weekend of the gamefish season for the inland waters of Minnesota. The season closes at midnight on Sunday. Licensed anglers are allowed to fish for panfish and rough fish continuously in Minnesota.

Annual Eelpout Festival becoming a rite of spring

Lakes in the Bemidji area lost a lot of snow cover this past week after several days with above-normal temperatures as high as the low 50s.

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Bemidji area anglers experience mixed results during opening week

The walleye opener was good for some anglers and tough for others. The lakes were extremely busy on Saturday but heavier winds on Sunday kept many anglers off of the lakes.

If weather cooperates walleyes should bite on opener

The long wait for the walleye opener is almost over, with the season opening tonight at 12:01 a.m. The season also opens at midnight for sauger, northern pike and stream trout living in lakes.

Water temperatures on area lakes continue to climb

Surface water temperatures continue to rise, with most lakes in the Bemidji area now in the low to mid 50s. The daily high temperatures have stayed on the cool side but the nightly lows haven’t been as cold recently, which is helping the lakes retain more of their warmth overnight.

Area water temperatures gradually becoming warmer

Lakes in the Bemidji area have been gradually getting warmer but the progress has been painfully slow.

Walleyes, northern pike, perch begin spring spawning runs

The weather has a big impact on how fast the spawn for the various species of fish progresses in the spring. The cool temperatures right after the ice went out on the lakes this year had most of the fish in a holding pattern. Now that the temperatures have begun to warm, walleyes, northern pike and perch have started to spawn in most of the lakes in the Bemidji area.

Open water returns to area lakes in record time

Open water returned to the Bemidji area this week, with many lakes setting records for earliest ice-out dates.

Many lakes should set ice-out records this spring

Spring arrived later on the calendar than it did outdoors this year, which is extremely unusual for anywhere in the North Country.

Warm temperatures bring early end to ice fishing season

Unseasonably warm temperatures have March acting more like a lamb than a lion, which is threatening to put an early end to the ice fishing season.

Bite improves for most species as warmer weather returns

Lakes in the Bemidji area are covered with enough snow to limit vehicle traffic in many areas, which has impacted the number of anglers on the lakes.

New snow cover makes travel on area lakes difficult

The Bemidji area got hit with a significant amount of snow this past week, which shouldn’t be a huge surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to March weather in Minnesota.