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March 10, 2021

The warm weather has taken a toll on many of the area lake access’s and because of that not a lot of folks have been out. Main lake ice is still solid but with no snow on the ice cleats on your boots are a must. Look to Lake Bemidji and Plantagenet for some perch. You’ll find them shallow and in deeper water. Gull, Beltrami, and Midge are kicking out some bluegills and crappies.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

March 3, 2023

With the walleye season now closed lots of folks this past weekend pulled their houses off area lakes even though they don’t have to be off until March 15. Temperatures this week are supposed to be in the 40’s to near 50 by the weekend so that could make some of the access’s a bit beat up. The perch bite has been good on Bemidji and Plantagenet but you will have to do some sorting. The panfish bite has been good off the weed edges on Wolf, Midge, and Gull lake. Now in effect are the new bluegill/sunfish regulations on the Cass Lake Chain, the Turtle River Chain, Big Bass, Julia, and Medicine Lakes the limit is now 5 fish.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

February 24, 2021

The warmer weather this past weekend got more folks out onto area lakes to fish. The perch bite continues steady on Lake Bemidji and Plantagenet. Jigging spoons and minnow heads are turning most of the fish. The panfish bite has picked up on Moose, Gull, and Wolf lakes. You’ll find those fish off the weed edges and also scattered through out the deeper basins. Small tungsten jigs and wax worms or spikes are working well.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

February 17, 2021

Like last week it’s been bitterly cold here in the Bemidji area with lows -30 to -40 degrees. The good news is it’s looking like highs in the 20’s by the weekend. The cold has really put a damper on folks getting out on the ice. That said the perch bite has been real good on Lake Bemidji with even a occasional walleye in the mix. Look to those deep water mud flats using jigging spoons and minnow heads. The upcoming warmer weather should help jump start the crappie and bluegills. Look to Gull, Midge, and Wolf for some panfish.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

February 10, 2021

Brutal cold temperatures and wind chills some days close to -50 not a lot of folks have been out on the ice fishing. Saying that, this past weekend the perch bite held up quite well on Lake Bemidji and Plantagenet. Jigging spoons and minnow heads are working best in 25-35′. You might even catch a walleye or two along with some tullibees. Not many out fishing in portables because of the cold so it’s been hard to get a finger on how the panfish bite is doing. Some warmer weather is due for the middle of next week so that should help for more folks to get out.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

February 3, 2021

Bitterly cold weather is in the forecast with highs well below zero so make sure you are prepared! Perch and a few walleyes are being caught on Lake Bemidji and Plantagenet. Look for those perch out on the deeper mud in 25-35′. You’ll find walleyes in those same areas. If your looking for crappies and bluegills Big Lake, Wolf, Gull, and Beltrami are a good bet. There is still some slush on area lakes if you get off the plowed roads.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

January 27, 2021

Not a lot has changed since last week but we have had colder temperatures and that has helped with any slush on area lakes. Perch continue to bite on Lake Bemidji and Plantagenet, you will have to do some sorting. Most are being caught on spoons and minnow heads in 25-35′. You’ll pick up a few walleyes early and late in the day on spoons and minnow heads or dead sticking with a shiner or large fathead. Look to Gull, Big, Wolf, and Midge lakes for crappies and bluegills. You’ll catch plenty of pike off the weed edges on most area lakes.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

January 19, 2021

There is starting to be some slush forming on Bemidji area lakes especially if you get off of any plowed roads so four wheel drive is a must. The perch bite on Lake Bemidji has been a bit hit and miss and getting away from crowds will help. Look for perch in 15-30′. The walleye bite continues to be a short window early and later in the day. Look to Lake Bemidji, Plantagenet, and Turtle. There is a late in the day crappie and bluegill bite going on Gull and Midge lakes.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

January 12, 2021

With the nice weather especially this past weekend lots of folks were out on area lakes. The walleye bite has a early morning window and then again late afternoon/evening. Jigging spoons and minnow heads are turning some fish as well as dead sticks with a fathead or shiner. You’ll find fish from 12-30′. The key is to get away from the crowds especially on the weekends. Perch are going on and off all day long. Look to Lake Bemidji, Irving, Wolf, Plantagenet, and Grace. Pike action has been good on area lakes off the deep weed edges and you’ll find crappies and bluegills in the deep basins and deeper weed edges. Look to Gull, Beltrami, and Midge lakes.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service

January 5, 2021

With the nice weather this past holiday weekend there were quite a few folks out on the ice fishing or getting their houses out. Most lakes have 13-17″ of good clear ice and vehicles are now enabling people to get out and about. The walleye bite is a pretty short window early and later in the day. Jigging spoons and minnow heads or dead sticks with a larger fathead or shiner are turning some fish. Look to the 12-14′ breaks and also deeper in the 25-30′ range. The perch bite has picked up and they pretty much will go most of the day on spoons and minnow heads or Tungsten jigs and wax worms and spikes. Look to Bemidji, Irving, Plantagenet, and Andrusia. Crappies are hitting on Gull, Beltrami, and Wolf early and late afternoon/evening. Look to the weed edges for bluegills.

Dick Beardsley Fishing Guide Service