By Jed Ninefeldt

When another season for fishing inland lakes for walleyes and northern pike comes to a close each February there are some particular places that make for good fishing.  The weather may not be the best but some consistently productive late season local destinations are there for your hard water fix.  For late season walleyes, it’s a toss-up between Boulder Lake, Northwest of Duluth, or Eagle Lake, just outside of Cromwell.  Neither one of these lakes are going to produce the next state record, but you’ll catch plenty of walleyes roughly the size of a 20 ounce pop bottle.  If big Pike is your goal, then Big Hanging Horn, just outside of Barnum, Lake Winnibigoshish, or  Leech Lake, outside of Bena, are prime locations.  With all of these lakes I would fish the weed line and breaks.  

If you have the time and want to travel, Red Lake and Lake of the Woods are producing walleyes.  The better number of walleyes on Lake of the Woods are coming from Knight Shoals and Garden Island.  It’s at least a fifty minute drive across the ice if you access the lake at Wheelers Point.   

If you’re tired of fishing hard water then the Mississippi River/Lake Pepin is your ticket for fishing open water.  Pepin is producing a good number of walleyes and the Sauger limit is six combined and the season never closes.

If the weather does not cooperate for the last weekend of inland fishing there is always the boat show this week at the DECC.  There will be plenty to see and dream about.  It’s always a great chance to get out and see the new gear and gimmicks.  Plenty of dealers will be on hand to price out docks, boat lifts, boats, etc.  It’s also a chance to plan your summer vacation through with one on the resorts.  And, if you really need a fishing fix, head for trout in the trout pond