Greetings, angler! Here is your comprehensive fishing report for February 20, 2026, for Minnesota's “Big 5” Lakes.
🌤️ Regional Forecast & Conditions
A warming trend continues across the region, bringing unseasonably mild temperatures that will feel spring-like. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with a noticeable southerly wind, which will strengthen through the day. The barometric pressure will be falling, often signaling an increase in fish activity ahead of a potential weather change. This warm-up, combined with the increasing daylight of late winter, should spur fish to feed more actively, creating excellent opportunities for anglers.
Ice Safety Advisory: Ice conditions remain thick in most areas, but this significant warming trend will begin to degrade ice quality, especially at landings and shorelines. Be extremely cautious of pressure ridges, which can become active. Check ice thickness frequently, and be aware that conditions can change rapidly during a thaw.
Lake of the Woods
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 7:29 AM
Sunset: 5:41 PM
Moonrise: 10:11 AM
Moonset: 10:33 PM
Moon Phase: New Moon
Illumination: 1%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.05 in (Falling)
Temperature: High of 34°F, Low of 18°F
Wind: S 10-20 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The bite should be strong with the falling pressure. Target deep mudflats in 30-34 feet where walleye and sauger are concentrated. An aggressive jigging presentation with a rattling spoon (gold, pink, glow) will call in active fish. Don't be afraid to make some noise.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The bite should remain more consistent than usual due to the weather. This is a great time to deploy a deadstick with a live shiner 6-12 inches off the bottom. The combination of an active jigging lure and a passive live bait is deadly.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The "golden hour" right before and after sunset is a prime feeding time. Fish may become very aggressive and suspend slightly off the bottom as they move to feed. Switch to heavy-glow jigs and spoons and jig with authority to trigger strikes.
Mille Lacs Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 7:25 AM
Sunset: 5:44 PM
Moonrise: 9:49 AM
Moonset: 10:14 PM
Moon Phase: New Moon
Illumination: 1%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.08 in (Falling)
Temperature: High of 36°F, Low of 20°F
Wind: S 15-25 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): Target the deep edges of mud flats where they meet gravel or rock, focusing on the 26-32 foot range. The falling pressure should have walleyes on the move. Use electronics to locate pods of fish, then deploy a jigging spoon or a tungsten jig tipped with a fathead.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The midday lull may be less pronounced today. If the bite slows, a slip-bobber rig with a crappie minnow set just off the bottom can be effective for picky walleyes. The increasing south wind may also position fish on north-facing breaks.
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 or small rattle baits.
Leech Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 7:28 AM
Sunset: 5:45 PM
Moonrise: 9:54 AM
Moonset: 10:19 PM
Moon Phase: New Moon
Illumination: 1%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.07 in (Falling)
Temperature: High of 35°F, Low of 19°F
Wind: S 15-25 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy
Tactical Breakdown:
Morning (Sunrise–12 PM): The south wind will be a major factor. Focus on main lake points and humps on the north side of the lake (in Walker Bay and near Stoney Point). The wind will push baitfish and active walleyes into these areas. A jig and shiner minnow worked in 12-18 feet will be the primary pattern.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): During the midday period, consider targeting panfish in wind-protected bays. Look for crappies suspended over deeper holes (25-35 feet) or perch roaming the main lake flats in 14-20 feet.
Evening (5 PM–Sunset): The walleye bite will become very active on the wind-blown structures. Fish will often move shallower, right to the top of the points, in 10-16 feet. A rattling jigging spoon can be very effective in calling them in during this prime time.
Lake Winnibigoshish
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 7:28 AM
Sunset: 5:44 PM
Moonrise: 9:52 AM
Moonset: 10:17 PM
Moon Phase: New Moon
Illumination: 1%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.08 in (Falling)
Temperature: High of 33°F, Low of 17°F
Wind: S 15-20 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy
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 for active fish during the morning hours.
Afternoon (12 PM–5 PM): The perch bite can be excellent on Winnie's large flats, and the warmer temps will make hole-hopping more comfortable. 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 with a large shiner on the top of the structure while jigging the edge.
Upper Red Lake
Astronomical Data:
Sunrise: 7:30 AM
Sunset: 5:42 PM
Moonrise: 9:59 AM
Moonset: 10:24 PM
Moon Phase: New Moon
Illumination: 1%
Weather Data:
Barometric Pressure: 30.06 in (Falling)
Temperature: High of 32°F, Low of 16°F
Wind: S 15-20 mph
Precipitation Chance: 10%
Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy
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 may slow, but the falling pressure and warmer weather should keep fish more active than usual. If jigging isn't producing, a deadstick or a bobber rig with a lively shiner minnow is the go-to tactic to 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 excellent. The New Moon phase creates a strong gravitational alignment which often triggers significant feeding activity. This powerful lunar influence, combined with a falling barometer, creates a prime scenario for a very active day of fishing.
Major Feeding Periods: 9:11 AM - 11:11 AM, 9:36 PM - 11:36 PM
Minor Feeding Periods: 2:59 AM - 3:59 AM, 3:24 PM - 4:24 PM
Best Bite Windows:
Morning (9:11 AM - 11:11 AM): This major feeding period occurs during the prime late-morning hours, offering a fantastic opportunity for an extended, active bite as the sun climbs and temperatures warm.
Evening (4:30 PM – 5:45 PM): The hour surrounding sunset is always a prime trigger. It leads into the evening hours which often see increased fish movement during mid-winter, and the falling pressure will only amplify this effect.
🎯 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 persists, but this warming trend will invigorate fish. A two-rod approach (one active, one passive) is highly effective. The falling barometer may make fish more willing to chase than they have been in recent weeks.
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 available 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.