At 2,500 acres in size, it’s hardly a fishing pond, but compare it with the big lakes of the area and Plantagenet isn’t a monster. The Bemidji-area DNR fisheries office said the walleye catch rate in 2004 was consistent with earlier assessments and higher than what you would typically find in other similar lakes. The average was around 14 inches, but there were many fish in the 15-inch range. Four years later, those walleyes are good sized right now.

Mark Cook, of the newly relocated Bluewater Bait and Sports on Washington Avenue in Bemidji, said Plantagenet is usually good for a few walleyes each fishing outing. He doesn’t get on Plantagenet himself very often, but said there are always solid reports coming off the lake. Cook spends the majority of his time fishing the larger waters and managing his store including the online store.

The sharp breaks can be good fishing locations, as can the transition areas found throughout the lake. There are also two midlake humps on the north end that feature good fishing. There is only one public access on the lake and it’s typically the best access throughout the wintertime.

For more information on Plantagenet, contact Bluewater Bait and Sports at (218) 444-2248 or online at www.bluewater-bait.com. For more information, contact the Bemidji-area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 458-2223 or online at www.bemidji.org.

LAKE BEMIDJI
Beltrami County

Cook said he likes smaller walleye lakes like Plantagenet during the early-ice period and open-water season, but in late ice, he heads to the big waters of Winnibigoshish, Cass and Bemidji.

“Those other lakes have a good bite, but I prefer the bigger lakes because you just seem to do better — in February you have the bonus of a tremendous perch bite in addition to the walleyes,” he said.

Bryan “Beef” Sathre of Fathead Guide Service visits Cook a lot at Bluewater because of its proximity to Lake Bemidji. “It’s my home lake and it’s a fantastic place to catch a lot of walleyes both eating size and some trophies,” Sathre said.

There is a ton of structure on Bemidji and almost all of it is good in February, including the rock bar, diamond flats and DNR bar on the north end. “You really have your pick of structures, and while there might be other anglers on those locations, you just have to work your way around and hit some of the good ice other people aren’t fishing for the best bite,” Sathre added.

This is the time of year when he starts to move shallower, but his top picks are areas with both shallow and deep water immediately adjacent. “If those walleyes aren’t in the spot you thought they would be, then it’s not as far of a move as you thought it would be and you didn’t lose much time in transition,” he said.

For more information, contact the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce at (800) 458-2223 or online at www. bemidji.org. To contact Fathead Guide Service, call (218) 766-5017 or online at www.fatheadguideservice.com.