Detroit Lakes Fishing Report (1/20/26)
- Brady Baxter
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Nasty weather really put a damper on the bite this past weekend, and frigid temperatures will persist through this weekend. It’s not all bad news though—fish still bite when it’s cold. In fact, the bite improved for some on Sunday, the coldest day of the week.
The most successful anglers had one word for me: tungsten. Tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms helped anglers catch finicky crappies all over Detroit Lake. The bite wasn’t fantastic, but it was steady, and many caught crappies during the day—which is a great sign.
These jigs must be paired with a light or ultra-light rod and 3–4 lb line. Any deviation from this setup decreases your odds dramatically. In short, the details matter.
If you’re chasing walleye, downsizing is also key when the bite is tough. Look for ‘eyes in 20’–25’ and broaden your search to include mid-lake structure from here on out.
Go ice fishing...in a nice warm house!
Availability is nearly gone for weekend Ice Castle rentals but there are a few openings left-now is the time to book! I also have single day ice house rentals available still. What do all these houses have in common? The holes are drilled and the heat is on. You just pull up and fish. Click below to book today!