GRAND RAPIDS — Walleye season may officially be over on inland lakes, but there are still opportunities.
"If you're willing to explore some of the Boundary Waters — Lake of the Woods is an obvious choice for many, but most folks haven't realized how many other places [there are] to fish for walleyes during late winter and early spring," said Jeff Sundin, the Early Bird Fishing Guide on the KAXE Morning Show.
Sundin has a list of possibilities in Canada, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin here.
Sundin also gave a reminder to purchase a fishing license for the upcoming year, for ice as well as open water fishing.
“Every year, I go into the bait shop in the summertime, and I see people standing in line waiting for half an hour or 45 minutes to get their fishing license. And you don't have to do that,” he said, encouraging people to purchase well in advance or by getting your license on the DNR’s website. Paper copies can be printed or a downloaded PDF version on your phone is legal.
Ice fishing
Dark houses, fish houses and portables must be off the ice on lakes south of State Highway 200 by Monday, March 3. Shelters located north of the highway must be removed by March 17.
Sundin said while walleye season is over in the region, perch fishing is starting to pick up, especially on Mille Lacs Lake.
“I'm starting to get the tingle in the back of my neck," he said. "The perch start to get pretty good this time of year.”
He explained perch will start moving toward spawning areas in the flats, mentioning that Lake Bemidji, Cass, Winnibigoshish and Leech lakes are all good for perch.
Listen to our full conversation above and find more information at Jeff Sundin's website.
Have you been fishing recently? Let us know!