Detroit Lakes Fishing and Ice Report (2/17/26)

As a unique winter storm approaches, anglers should prepare for a sloppy mess over the next few days, until everything freezes up again–especially at public accesses.  This won’t spell the end of the ice fishing season, as there is still a lot of strong ice covering area lakes.  It may get tricky from now on though if we get frozen slush on top of that ice.  If you keep your house on the ice–like me– I suggest you add another block or two beneath it in the next 24 hours to keep it from freezing down to the ice.  Right now, big pike are feeding on shiners near weedlines during the day (and into the early evening), and crappies and walleyes are biting during low light.  The crappie bite has been fluctuating by the day, with minnows or minnow heads working one day, and wax worms the next.  My advice is to bring both with you!  Fatheads double as good walleye bait, too.  Be mindful and stay safe out there.

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