A Minnesota Fishing Vacation

You'll Catch More Fish In Itasca County

Itasca County is known first and foremost for its unparalleled Minnesota fishing vacation opportunities. A wide variety of Minnesota gamefish inhabit the more than 1,400 lakes and rivers here. These include Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Black and White Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Bullhead.

The most difficult decision you'll face when coming to Itasca County is deciding which lakes to fish.  And while we won't be of much help there, we do offer the following information and fishing tips to increase your chances of landing the lunkers.

Click here to view a list of Minnesota Fishing Resorts in Itasca County.

2008 Fishing Opener Dates

•  Walleye & Northern Opener - May 10, 2008

•  Lake Trout Opener - May 10, 2008

•  Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass Opener - May 24, 2008

•  Muskie Opener - June 7, 2008

2008 Minnesota Fishing Regulations Effective March 1, 2005 - February 28, 2006 (in .pdf format)

• Take A Mom Fishing Weekend - May 10 -11: Minnesota resident moms fish free.

• Take A Kid Fishing Weekend - June 6 - 8: Minnesota residents fish free with  youngsters up to age 16.

Helpful Fishing-related Links, Dates and Information...

Itasca County
Bait & Tackle Stores

Maps of Itasca County

Itasca County Lake Maps

Non-Resident Fishing License Fees

Resident Fishing License Fees

Click Here for some Northwoods Fishing Humor!

Catch & Release Fishing - Here's A Great Article on How To Do It Properly
 

Fishing Tips for the Best Fishing Success In Itasca County

Brought to you by The Fisherman's Blue Book

1. Buy and study a good contour map of the lake you are going to fish. Learn as much as possible about the lake before you even get into the boat. Check for fish holding areas, shoreline breaks, sunken bars or humps.

2. Use good electronics to see what type of bottom there is in the lake as well as to locate fish. Learning to use and understand electronics is one of the most important things you can do to be a better fisherman.

3. Don't spend more than 15 to 20 minutes at one spot if you aren't getting any fish. Move to another promising location and return to the other areas later. The fish will probably be biting at the other areas at a different time.

4. Take very good care of live bait. The best results come from fresh, lively bait. Keep a cooler with ice for crawlers and leeches, keep minnows in coolers but NOT directly on the ice.

5. Change baits and methods of fishing (trolling, casting, or still fishing) until you find the combination that the fish want at that particular time. If more than one person is fishing, have each one use a different bait until you determine what the fish are biting on.

Please keep only enough fish that you will use, and practice Catch & Release. The future of good fishing depends upon your sportsmanship.

Electronic Licensing Now Available
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has moved to an electronic licensing system (ELS) to sell fishing licenses and trout stamps. The system ensures that license agents always have an adequate supply of all types of fishing licenses. Also, if you ever lose your license, you're now able to get a duplicate from any license agent rather than have to get it from the DNR St. Paul headquarters as before.

The licenses are printed on a waterproof plastic material and are available via phone by calling 888-MNLicense (1-888-665-4236) or by Clicking Here. There is a $3.50 handling charge in addition to the regular license fee.