Greetings, angler! Here is your comprehensive fishing report for January 8, 2026, for Minnesota's “Big 5” Lakes.
🌤️ Regional Forecast & Conditions
A stable and frigid high-pressure system continues to dominate the region, bringing classic mid-winter conditions. Anglers can expect a very cold day with abundant sunshine and a light but persistent north wind, which will create sharp wind chills. The barometric pressure will be high and steady, which typically leads to a neutral but predictable bite. Fish will be in their established mid-winter patterns, holding on deep structure and conserving energy, making the low-light periods of sunrise and sunset the most critical times to be actively fishing.
Ice Safety Advisory: Ice conditions should be well-established across most of the region. However, always exercise caution. Be mindful of potential thin ice near areas of current, such as river mouths, narrows, or springs. A minimum of 12-16 inches of clear ice is recommended for vehicle travel where ice roads are established.
Lake of the Woods
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 8:16 AM
Sunset: 4:38 PM
Moonrise: 3:25 PM
Moonset: 6:49 AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 80%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.30 in (Steady)
Temperature: High of 7°F, Low of -13°F
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Precipitation Chance: 0%
Cloud Cover: Sunny
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The sunrise bite is the most important window. Target the edges of main lake reefs and deep mudflats in 28-34 feet. The most active walleye and sauger will be right on the bottom. An aggressive jigging presentation with a rattling spoon in gold or glow red is needed to call fish in from a distance.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The bite will slow significantly under the high sun. This is the time to rely on a deadstick or tip-up with a live shiner in a second hole, set 6-12 inches off the bottom. Continue jigging, but switch to a more subtle presentation, barely quivering a small spoon or jig-and-minnow head.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The "golden hour" right before and after sunset is a prime feeding window. Fish may move slightly shallower and become more aggressive. Focus on 24-30 feet. Switch to heavy-glow jigs and spoons to capitalize on the low-light conditions.
Mille Lacs Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 8:12 AM
Sunset: 4:42 PM
Moonrise: 3:03 PM
Moonset: 6:29 AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 80%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.32 in (Steady)
Temperature: High of 9°F, Low of -10°F
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Precipitation Chance: 0%
Cloud Cover: Sunny
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): Target the deep edges of mud flats where they meet gravel or rock. The 26-32 foot range is a key starting point. Use your electronics to find pods of fish, then deploy a jigging spoon or a tungsten jig tipped with a fathead or shiner.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The midday lull will require a finesse approach. A slip-bobber rig with a crappie minnow set just off the bottom can be effective for picky walleyes. Keep jigging in a second hole, but focus on a deadstick presentation, watching for the subtle "up-bite."
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): A strong bite often develops as the sun sets. Fish will move up onto the tops of the flats and reefs. Focus on 18-25 feet of water. This is an excellent time for a more aggressive jigging presentation with larger, glowing spoons.
Leech Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 8:15 AM
Sunset: 4:43 PM
Moonrise: 3:08 PM
Moonset: 6:34 AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 80%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.31 in (Steady)
Temperature: High of 8°F, Low of -11°F
Wind: N 5 mph
Precipitation Chance: 0%
Cloud Cover: Sunny
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): Focus on main lake points and humps that top out in 15-20 feet with access to deep water, especially in Walker Bay. A classic jig and shiner minnow is hard to beat. Drill holes along the breakline and use your electronics to locate the most active fish.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): During the midday slow-down, consider targeting panfish. Look for crappies suspended over deeper holes (25-35 feet) in Walker Bay or bluegills in any remaining green weeds in shallower bays.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The walleye bite will pick up again on the same structures you fished in the morning. Fish will often move shallower, right to the top of the points, in 12-18 feet. A rattling jigging spoon can be very effective in calling them in.
Lake Winnibigoshish
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 8:15 AM
Sunset: 4:42 PM
Moonrise: 3:06 PM
Moonset: 6:32 AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 80%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.32 in (Steady)
Temperature: High of 7°F, Low of -12°F
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Precipitation Chance: 0%
Cloud Cover: Sunny
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): Target the deep edges of main-lake bars and humps, focusing on the 20-28 foot range. A jigging spoon (like a VMC Tingler Spoon) tipped with a minnow head is a great search tool. Once you find a school, a plain jig and minnow can be more effective.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The perch bite can be excellent on Winnie's large flats. Look for perch schools in 12-18 feet of water. A small tungsten jig tipped with a wax worm or minnow head is the best presentation.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): Walleyes will move up onto the tops of the bars and humps as light fades. The 15-22 foot range will be key. This is a great time to set a tip-up on the top of the structure while jigging the edge.
Upper Red Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 8:17 AM
Sunset: 4:40 PM
Moonrise: 3:13 PM
Moonset: 6:39 AM
Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous
Illumination: 80%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.30 in (Steady)
Temperature: High of 6°F, Low of -14°F
Wind: N 5-10 mph
Precipitation Chance: 0%
Cloud Cover: Sunny
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The early bite is key. This is a basin lake, so structure is subtle. Focus on the 8-12 foot range. A small, noisy rattling spoon is excellent for attracting walleyes from a distance in this expansive environment.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The bite will be very slow and the fish will be spooky under the high sun. This is the time to downsize. A plain red hook under a bobber with a lively shiner minnow (a "crappie rig") is a classic Upper Red tactic that can fool neutral fish.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The evening bite can be fast and furious. Fish will roam the same 8-12 foot flats. Switch to a glowing jig or spoon and jig aggressively to capitalize on their increased activity level.
🌕 Solunar Activity Forecast
Regional Solunar Forecast: Activity is rated as average. The Waxing Gibbous moon provides a strong gravitational influence. The dominant factor is the stable high-pressure weather, which will suppress the bite and make the defined solunar windows even more critical.
Major Feeding Periods: 7:18 AM - 9:18 AM, 7:43 PM - 9:43 PM
Minor Feeding Periods: 1:06 AM - 2:06 AM, 1:31 PM - 2:31 PM
Best Bite Windows:
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:18 AM): The major feeding period begins right before sunrise and continues for the first hour of daylight, creating a classic and powerful trigger for a first-light bite.
Evening (4:30 PM – 5:30 PM): This window is the day's best bet. The sunset leads directly into a period of high moon visibility, creating a potent trigger for feeding activity.
🎯 Lure & Presentation Strategy
Walleye:
Lure Recommendations:
Spoons: 1/8 to 1/4 oz rattling spoons (Buck-Shot, VMC Rattle Spoon) in gold, glow, perch, and pink patterns. Tip with a minnow head.
Jigs: Small tungsten jigs or 1/16 to 1/8 oz lead head jigs tipped with a full minnow.
Passive Baits: A plain hook or a small glow jig under a slip bobber or on a deadstick rod, baited with a lively shiner or fathead minnow.
Presentation Advice:
Depth: Varies by lake, from 8-12 feet on Upper Red to 22-30 feet on Mille Lacs. Use electronics to find fish on breaklines.
Cadence: Start with an aggressive lift-and-fall motion to attract fish. If they are unresponsive, switch to small twitches and pauses, or a complete deadstick.
Local Insights: The mid-winter pattern is set in. Fish are conserving energy, making a two-rod approach (one active, one passive) highly effective. Using your electronics (flasher or graph) is critical to success.
Contingency Plan (Plan B): If the primary structure bite on points and reefs is not producing, the Plan B is to move into adjacent, deeper mud basins. Fish will often roam these flats during periods of inactivity. A deadstick with a live minnow is the best approach to catch these neutral fish.
Panfish (Crappie & Bluegill):
Lure Recommendations: Small tungsten jigs (3-5mm) in bright colors, tipped with wax worms, spikes, or soft plastics.
Presentation Advice: Look for crappies suspended in deep basins (25-35 feet) and bluegills near any remaining green weeds in shallower bays (8-15 feet).
Contingency Plan (Plan B): If panfish are not in their typical locations, check the deepest holes in the bays you are fishing. They will often collect in these depressions as winter progresses.
🧭 Data Sources
This report was synthesized from credible sources, such as the MN DNR, NOAA, USGS, and public angler databases.