where to go for lake whitefish

[klee]

These fish look like a lot of fun to catch under the ice. I'm wondering where I can go to get some action on them? They are legal to catch right? I've seen shows of people catching them and keeping them in MN. I'm not looking for hotspots, just want to know what lakes in MN would hold some.

Now:

When is the best time to start fishing for them?

What bait to use?

Weight of line? Rod size?

How deep are they?

Are they good eating?

Limit and size limit?

[Chris Barlage]

These are very fun to fish. A few good places to go are mille lacs and Big sandy lake. They have tullibee there not whitefish but they are pritty much the same thing. On lacs the limit is 10 and on big sandy there is no limit. For me I find the best time to catch them is from Jan to ice out. I use a panfish setup. You could go with a longer med rod if you wanted. For lures I use a hand ties hair jig or a small spoon tiped with a wax worm. Closer to ice out all you need is just the hair jig and no wax worm. I fish them in deeper water. Around 28 fow. Just look for deep flats that they roam on and find some structure to set up on. I look for deep lanes that they just cruse and setup on a transition off that lane. They swim in and out very fast you when you see them on your screen you need to be in front of them quick.

They are very good eating. I perpair them by smoking them, since they do have a lot of oil in them. They are really not a fry pan type fish.

[klee]

Do you need a special permit to fish lacs during ice? Because i know there are guides and i thought i heard somewhere that you need to pay to fish on it during ice season.

[Chris Barlage]

Do you need a special permit to fish lacs during ice? Because i know there are guides and i thought i heard somewhere that you need to pay to fish on it during ice season.

The only thing you need to fish it is a regular minnesota fishing license. You have to pay the resort if you go out on there landing. Most are a 5 dollar tag and its good for the year. It is a good thing to do because if you need anything or have an issue on the ice you can call that resort and they will give you a hand.

[broman]

The only thing you need to fish it is a regular minnesota fishing license. You have to pay the resort if you go out on there landing. Most are a 5 dollar tag and its good for the year. It is a good thing to do because if you need anything or have an issue on the ice you can call that resort and they will give you a hand.

$5 tag, good for the entire year? Not correct. On Mille Lacs most resorts charge $10 a day access fee. Some charge $20 to $25 for the weekend (Fri-Sun). $5 will not buy you access for the entire winter. A full ice season access fee is around $100 on up depending on which resort. Not trying to come down on you, but just want to make sure the facts are straight and that noone gets in trouble trying to drive without paying. They can legally report you for trespassing if you use their access without paying.