Where I'm at in central MN you've typically got about a 1-hour window at sunrise and sunset where you can consistently graph (let alone catch) clear-water walleyes. ⌛️ Outside of that = good luck!

UNLESS you poke around on some dirty-water lakes where bite windows are often extended:

My wally bait of the day was a 1/4-oz VMC Tungsten Torpedo Spoon in the “glow hot perch” color. I slightly upsized the hook with a #6 VMC Dressed X-Rap Treble – big fan of adding feathered trebles to most of my jigging spoons for some extra movement/attraction, and they still get bit even if your minnow head falls off. 🎯

And for whatever reason, those afternoon crappies would NOT eat a small minnow on a plain hook. Had soooo many come look at it before scooting off. But then I switched to a little 1/16-oz VMC Tungsten Mongo Jig loaded with spikes (aka euro larva) and it was game on. Like I described in the video, sometimes those fish are keying on smaller “buggy” options, and making the switch to that kind of profile can make all the difference in the world.

Per usual, all of the gear I used (specific sizes, weights, you name it) is linked in the video’s description over on YouTube. 👊 Thank YOU for taking the time to watch!

What’s an inside turn, saddle, or shelf?

Don’t worry – the Crappie Chronicles crew has you covered in this new vid from their “Expose the Ice” series where they do an in-depth rundown talking the intricacies of lake maps.

> “We field SOOOO many questions about Lake Maps and different terminology, we hope this is helpful for you so that you are able to put all of the information you learn on YouTube to the test on the ice this season.”

Lots of great nuggets and map examples in this vid to help you track ‘em down on your own local waters:

Now let's put some of those terms to use...

Fishing the basin (expansive deep water) can be overwhelming...where do you start?!

In this new video, TJ breaks down exactly where to find the “sweet spot” for basin crappies and how he narrows down those massive basins into high-percentage areas that consistently hold fish...

Sweet spot #1: Subtle basin rises

> "Every group that I saw was...hanging around one of these sweet spots that I'm talking about.

> "The first one is almost like an underwater point – not necessarily a point because it's very gradual...like a little bit of a bump up, a raise. Almost like an underwater hump – very small, very gradual.

> " Depending on the basin, it might look a little bit different. [If] the basin is say 25 or 30', this part comes up just even 2, 3, 4'.

> "[On those humps] every once in a while it'll be hard bottom, which isn't super common. A lot of times these crappies...are cruising up around to chase some of that plankton that's coming up.

> "I'm not always 100% sure why they are here. Most likely some sort of food source. It's one of those consistencies that I see."

Sweet spot #2: Inside turns

> "[Inside turns have] a little bit of a funnel. There's...this big basin, and it stays at relatively the same depth, but it just moves a little closer to a little bit of an inside turn – it's just one of those things that can funnel fish.

> "There's dropoffs on either side that can help hold fish – just a really high percentage area.

> "Inside turns are something that I just love for almost every species."

Here’s the full vid packed with way more info. 🍿

Little description from Tom’s YouTube video:

> “...showing a unique pattern that works very well for big walleyes on pressured lakes. ...all about fishing for basin-roaming walleyes using Humminbird MEGA Live [gen 1 at the time]. This is a super unique pattern that works very well, especially mid-winter on larger fish!”

Basically he’s doing the same thing lots of folks are doing in the open-water with FFS but duplicating it the best he can thru an 8" hole.... He’s targeting big, nomadic basin fish that have been pushed off structure and are roaming no-man’s land in the mudflats – sounds like he was fishing 400-ish yards away from any structure.

Involves drilling a giant grid of holes (literally can’t have too many) like folks used to always have to do when targeting basin crappies, and is instead chasing walleyes around with his FFS unit. Absolutely exhausting way to catch ’em, but super rewarding when it works out! I’ve done the same thing on Mille Lacs and it can be lights out. 🤐

His 1-2 punch 🥊 included using a heavy Acme Hyper-Rattle (top) to head-off the fish and get down to ’em as quickly as possible before they go past. And he would switch up to a heavier 1/4- or 3/8-oz Acme Kastmaster (bottom) if he had fish turn him down, but most of those walleyes haven’t seen a bait out in the abyss and will rocket up to crush ‘em. 🚀 The colors he was using are pictured below:

Now, here’s the vid of Tom putting this sneaky technique to work on big, nomadic basin fish:

In case you didn’t know, Lauri “The Legend” Rapala was the Finnish guy with a carving knife who realized that big fish eat little fish...especially wounded ones.

Get this:

> Finally, with a shoemaker’s knife, a file and sandpaper, he shaped the first successful lure from cork in 1936. Tinfoil from the neighbor’s cheese packets and chocolates formed the surface of the lure. To create a protective coating, Lauri melted unwanted photographic negatives on the lure, since no lacquer was available.

Talk about using what’s available to you!

Literally transformed the sportfishing world! And the Original Floater still catches the snot out of them to this day.

Funny enough one of my heaviest Gull Lake, MN walleyes ever came just a couple of springs ago on it – who needs FFS lol?! So thank you, Lauri! 🙌

Imagine being able to go back in time to tell the dude using “tinfoil from the neighbor’s cheese packets and chocolates” that his baits would be such a big deal one day, that folks will literally use them in boutonnières on their wedding day. 🔥

1. MN Fishing Hall of Fame names 2026 inductees.

Class of 2026 Inductees: Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, Steve Carney, Ron Kiffmeyer, Marine General, and Thorne Bros. 🙌 Well-deserved, all!

2. MN: DNR proposes to reduce statewide walleye limit

> Minnesota anglers would be able to keep 4 walleyes instead of 6 in a proposal by the MN DNR to update a statewide inland water walleye fishing regulation that’s been in place since 1956.

> The rule change, if approved, would go into effect March 1, 2027. The current regulation of only one walleye over 20” in possession would remain in place.

> The Minnesota DNR is inviting comments on the proposed rule changes until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5. People may submit comments by:

• Email to fisheries.rulemaking.comments.dnr@state.mn.us. Please mention “walleye limit” in the subject line or body of the email. 

• Phone to the Minnesota DNR at 651-259-5235.

• Mail to Fisheries Rules and Regulations Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

> “We have discussed this walleye limit proposal informally for a long time, including working with anglers and interested groups to see if this is something anglers would support. Now we’re going through the formal process to propose the change and gather input,” Parsons said. “This proposal is informed by what fisheries research and sampling data point to about walleye in the future.”

My quick-ish 2 cents:

I’d be in favor of reducing the walleye limit from 6 fish down to 4.

A lot has changed since 1956 👀 which is when Minnesota’s original 6-fish walleye limit was put into place.... IMO it’s time to be proactive instead of reactive and reduce Minnesota’s daily walleye limit from 6 fish to 4. Why? To help protect the walleye population going forward and ensure our future generations have the same (or better!) walleye fishing opportunities that we are accustomed to today. Of course this is just 1 piece to the big walleye-fishing puzzle.

One argument that gets brought up quite a bite from folks who oppose the limit reduction is in reference to how...

> ...scientists have said most walleye fishing outings result in 2 walleyes per angler or less. Catching a limit of 6 is out of the ordinary across MN....

Which IMO is kind of a funny take on it. I mean if most folks only catch 2 walleyes or less in an outing then why don’t we just make the walleye limit 50 per day since most folks won’t fill it anyways?

I’ll give you one example of why...

You can’t talk about advancements in fishing technology without also talking about social media. It has never been easier to find a hot bite, figure out where fish are biting, what time of day, what time of year, specific depth, best baits and colors, you name it. You can even go on some social media apps (Instagram, SnapChat, etc) and open up a map and see locations of where photos are being posted right now. So yeah there’s absolutely times where it’s not easy to catch those 6 fish for your limit, but limits are in place to protect those hot bites, those fisheries that are on fire right now, or smaller waterbodies that can’t handle the pressure, and help keep more walleyes in that system for the future

3. MN: Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is Jan 31

The largest charitable ice fishing contest on earth [!!!] is happening Jan 31 on Gull Lake just 10 miles north of Brainerd, MN.

Something everyone has to experience – never know what you're gonna see walkin' around!

I fished the derby again last year (always such a fun time!) and actually graphed quite a few fish...mostly dinks, but one looked like a 25-26” walleye that postured up on my bait before moseying off – woof! Had another time that a tullibee came over and nipped at the euro larvae on my dropper rig but didn’t get the hook – double woof!

SO, here was my ‘Catch of the Day’ 😅 and it was so worth it hahaha! #JalapenoCheeseCurds

Hope to see you there!

4. Sobi (officially) landed his best catch yet 💍

Big congrats 🙌 to Sobi and his better-er half, Steph, on making it o-fish-al! And they did so while ice camping on Upper Red Lake in northern MN, with walleyes and crappies as their witness.

It’s super refreshing when good people find good people.

If you somehow don’t know Sobi (great dude!) he’s a fishing maniac who jumped full-time in the fishing YouTube’r world about 8-ish yrs ago now...been steady crushing it ever since. His #1 goal is to grow the sport of fishing, and IMO his ultra-positive attitude does just that.

5. AIM adds a new director for 2026

Thomas Droste will be working alongside Denny Fox for the '26 season.

> Thomas brings a wealth of experience to the AIM team. He has successfully run his own events, worked with other tournament circuits, and previously competed in AWWS events. This background gives him valuable insight into how our events operate from both the organizational and competitor perspectives.

> Thomas is a retired U.S. Army veteran, having proudly served our country for more than 20 years. He is a well-respected fishing guide on Lake Petenwell, a devoted husband, and a father of two. Like all of us, he has a deep passion for the outdoors and the sport of fishing.

6. New Tour Level Gold out! 🔥

This episode called "Home Stretch” is from the 2025 NWT Championship on Green Bay – it was worth the wait! 🍿 Love the behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows professional anglers deal with on the National Walleye Tour:

7. MN: Walleye Alliance ‘Spring Classic’ is back

Happening May 16 on Gull Lake. More details to follow.

I absolutely plan to fish it. LOVE to see a few more walleye tournaments added around the Brainerd Lakes area throughout the season...instead of just the couple that are jammed back-to-back in the fall. As far as I know, there’s basically zero bigger walleye tournament options around BLA in May, June, July, or Aug. Luckily those local, weeknight fishing leagues help to scratch the itch!

8. Jake Caughey’s big-boy tiller is for sale

She's a beaut! Warrior V2090 with a Merc 250 Pro XS that’s decked-out with every 🔔 + 😗 you can think of on a walleye-tourney rig.

9. MN: Zeebz confirmed in Tanners Lake (Washington County)

10. MN: Zeebz confirmed in Goose Lake (Chisago County)

Jason Mitchell’s deep-water perch presentations

> A quick video explaining dropper spoons, hanger weights, and pencil rigs for fishing deep-water for perch. These lures are designed to drop down into deep water FAST while still enabling a more delicate or finesse presentation. These deep-water lures are popular on ND’s Devils Lake and WI’s Madison Chain, but work well whenever targeting perch in water deeper than 25’.

"That's not my dog, but that is a 10.5-inch gill...."

- Looks like Tate Breuer made a new friend while chasing some northern-MN panfish lol. The furriest ones bring the best luck with ‘em:

Sounds like the pupdawg took off when it realized that Tate didn’t have one of those fancy dog cots plopped down for it inside his Clam hub house 😅 but being joined by a BIG hen (female bluegill) is a great consolation prize:

Looks like there might be another waiting on that Vexilar FLX 38 for a treat to be dropped back down. 😎

Thank YOU so much for reading! Back atcha on Friday.

National Professional Anglers Assoc.

MN-FISH

Target Walleye LLC

422 Laurel Street

P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

 (218) 824 5026