Explore Minnesota Fishing Report June 27, 2013

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Explore Minnesota Fishing Report  June 27, 2013 
 
 
Walleyes continue to be pulled from the shallows, however, the bite is getting progressively deeper on lakes throughout the state, especially during daytime hours. The jig and minnow bite has slowed on most lakes, and anglers are switching over to live bait rigs with leeches or nightcrawlers. If water temperatures continue to rise slowly, expect fishing to remain very good well into July.

Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2013/2014 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 11; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 25; muskie, June 1. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations websites for the most current information.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism, with information provided by statewide tourism organizations and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River

Walleye on Rainy Lake are moving to the submerged reefs so anglers are finding them along the rocky shorelines, as well as around the underwater structure. The best bet has been to jig with a minnow; the preferred jig colors are white and various shades of red. Smallmouth bass have fairy active too. For the most fish, try casting top waters near the rocky shorelines, especially those with weed beds 6-8 feet deep. Northern pike continue to hang near the mouths of the bays. In the Rainy River, walleye fishing has been excellent in areas with current, such as where one stream or river enters the Rainy River, at the various rapids, and below the dam on the river. Spinner rigs tipped with shiners pulled across the current have the best bet. 800-325-5766; www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

On Lake Kabetogma, several species continue to be pulled from both the shallow and deep waters. Minnows, leeches and crawlers are all working. Anglers targeting walleyes should begin shallow, using slip sinker rigs and leeches in less than 10 feet of water. Slowly work your way deeper if necessary. The soft bottom lake structure is your best bet until the mayfly hatch is over. For die-hard jig and minnow anglers, hit 30-38 foot depths near the rocky reefs where nice keeper-size walleyes are being taken along with sauger and perch. Northern pike are attacking most anything thrown their way, with large pike mixed in with lots of smaller pike. Stick baits or sucker minnows are working well. Smallmouth bass are settling into their summer pattern; for the most action, use an x-rap. This is a great time of year to fish Kabetogama and Namakan lakes! And while in the area, check out the Lady Slipper Arts & Crafts Festival, held June 29 & 30 in the town of Kabetogama. This outdoor juried arts & crafts show featuring quality artwork by area artisans, and also includes many unique vendors, various musical acts & entertainers, children?s activities, lots of great food and treats, and the Lady Slipper Miles & Mingo's Miles 5K Fun Walk & Run. 800-524-9085; www.kabetogama.com

Tower/Soudan -Lake Vermilion

Muskie and northern pike action has been best on Lake Vermilion, with fast action in their spawning bays with good weed growth. These fish can also be found where weed lines are developing in the main lake. A good panfish bite is also being reported. Crappies have completed their spawn. Bluegills are staying in the shallows as they prepare to spawn. Walleye fishing has been inconsistent, with anglers having to switch back and forth between bobber fishing and jigs with slip sinkers. The majority of action has been in 30 feet of water or less. The walleyes have begun a slow migration to the main lake basins. This bite should improve as the water slowly warms. Anglers having the most success are slip sinkers with leeches or half a crawler. Bobber fishing with a leech on the shallow rock humps tipped has been good for walleyes and smallmouth bass. 800-648-5897; www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

Walleyes continue to be pulled from the shallows. The bite for the larger fish, however, has gotten progressively deeper. These walleyes will roam the flats at night, then drop down deeper as the day progresses. Anglers are taking the most fish when using crankbaits and lindy-style rigs. Later in the day, try working the drop-offs near the shallow bays. Northern pike are getting more aggressive, with spinnerbaits and spoons turning pike measuring more than 40 inches. Large suckers fished under a bobber have also been working well. Lake trout continue to roam the shallows during morning hours, readily attacking a spoon with or without a minnow or piece of cut bait. Most daytime trollers are now working waters as deep as 40 feet. 800-777-7281; www.ely.org

Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage

The large schools of hungry fish are outnumbering the anglers heading out! Walleye are still in the shallows, and anglers casting toward the rocky shorelines are pulling in lots of fish. On Homer, Lichen, and Poplar lakes, all located on the Gunflint Trail, leeches are working best on warm days, with minnows working best on cool mornings or cloudy days. Brook trout are active in area streams; for the most fish, use a hook and nightcrawler, or a spinner or fly. There are so many river options, just walk upstream any river a ways and look for a school of brookies. The northern pike have been extremely hungry and aggressive, with fish coming from water as shallow as 3 feet! Overall, cast a minnow from shore, or float a minnow in 8-15 feet of water from your boat and expect to be rewarded with a fish fry by the end of the day. And on Lake Superior, a few larger boats with larger lures have headed out along the shoreline, catching lake trout and salmon in 150-200 feet of water. www.VisitCookCounty.com

Grand Rapids

Panfish action is heating up, with good numbers of bluegills coming from the shallows. For the most fish, target the heavier vegetation in 6 feet of water or less. Just about any 1/32-ounce standard jig tipped with a piece of crawler will work. Casting these out under a float, giving it a twitch every so often will work wonders. The walleye roach rig bite is in full swing. Anglers having the most success are following the steep shoreline breaks in 20-30 of water. Crawlers have been best, but other types of bait are also working well on rigs. www.visitgrandrapids.com

Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Fishing has been hot on all parts of Lake of the Woods. Mornings and evenings have been very productive, with both slot fish and eating-sized fish being taken along the shorelines. Drift or troll the sand or shorelines using gold crankbaits or a spinner with a crawler or leech in 7-10 feet of water. Move deeper as the day goes on, with the best daytime bite occurring in 20-25 feet of water. Rocky areas and reefs are giving up the majority of daytime fish, with minnows on an orange/gold jig working best. Areas to check out include the west and east banks of Garden Island. Also check out depths of 27 feet of water in front of the Morris Point Gap. There is still a strong current on the Rainy River, but water conditions are returning to normal. Bass are active in the river, hanging out around loose boulders and weed growth at the mouths of the river and in the bay areas. Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye are hanging over the weed growth on the reefs; for the most fish, use a jig or spinner in depths of 22-24 feet. The bass bite has been excellent in the shallow sandy areas, with shallow-diving crankbaits producing the most fish. Muskie anglers are finding lots of fish in the bays. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Surface water temperatures are hovering near 70-degrees so summer fishing patterns are beginning to develop for most species of fish. Mayflies are expected to hatch from the lakes in large numbers very soon, with other insects rising out of the lakes as well. Anglers have been seeing insects emerging from the mud basin on their electronics for more than a week. This explosion of food in the deep waters will lure walleyes and perch from the shoreline shallows, and this food source will soon replace the spot tail shiner minnow feast occurring in the shallows. Most lakes will have a shallow and a deep bite simultaneously, at least until the oxygen levels begin to drop due to lake "green-up" later in the summer. The jig and minnow bite has slowed on most lakes, with more anglers switching to live bait rigs with leeches or nightcrawlers. Minnows tear off the jigs when worked through thick weeds, so once the weed beds get more developed, alternative presentations such as jigs and plastics should be used. Some anglers have switched to spinner rigs for walleyes, with a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce sinker working well in shallow waters; use a 1- to 3-ounce bottom bouncer for fishing spinner rigs in the deep water. The wind and the weather patterns often determine where the most active fish are located. Anglers should fish the windblown structure to help break-up the surface of the water. Learning to use the wind instead of fighting it is key to good numbers of walleyes. 800-458-2223; www.visitbemidji.com

Cass Lake

Fishing has been good on Cass Lake for anglers willing to put in the time. Walleye anglers are having the most success working jigs tipped with minnows, leeches and crawlers through 5 feet of water. 800-356-2250; www.casslake.com

Walker - Leech Lake

On Leech Lake, fishing remains very good. A mayfly hatch has started, but it doesn't seem to have affected the bite. Crawlers and leeches on rigs are still producing fish in 10-14 feet in areas such as Goose Island, the Big & Little Hardwoods, Duck Points, and Walker Bay. Walleyes are slowly migrating to the mid-lake structure in Walker Bay, with fish holding in 18-25 foot depths on top of the rock structure. Anglers using crankbaits during evening hours on the sand on the north side of Walker Bay are also doing well; the best approach is a #5 shad raps trolled at speeds of 2- to 2.5-mph. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com

Hackensack

Water temperatures are approaching their normal summer levels, 70-degrees in the shallower lakes, and in the upper 60s in the deeper lakes. Fish are taking on their summer patterns as a result. Leeches and crawlers on rigs continue to produce the majority of fish. If northern pike are becoming a nuisance, avoid the spinner rigs. Many anglers are reporting lots of success when slowly dragging with floaters on Leech, Ten Mile, and Woman lakes. The walleye are moving to deeper waters, with most fish coming from 18 feet or deeper. The panfish are also headed for deeper waters, but expect to still find fish in the shallows of deeper lakes. For crappies, check the breaks during the day, with moving up shallower to feed during evening hours. 800-279-6932; www.hackensackchamber.com

Detroit Lakes

The walleye bite remains very good throughout the Detroit Lakes area. Most fish are still holding along the shoreline breaks. Early morning and late evening hours have been best, especially when using minnows, leeches or crawlers in 13-19 feet of water at the deep weed edges. Panfish are active in and around the weed cover. For the most action, use a jig tipped with a small minnow, leech, piece of crawler, or wax worm. Northern pike are attacking large sucker minnows, spoons and crankbaits fished at the deep weed edges. Bass remain very shallow, with anglers taking lots of nice fish when casting jigs & plastics. Musky action is good on Detroit, Sallie, Pelican and Beers lakes. The best approach has been to pitch an action bait over the weeds on the flats with deep water access. 800-542-3992; www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Central Region
Whitefish - Whitefish Chain of Lakes Region

The early morning and evening walleye bite has been good on Whitefish Lake. Anglers are having the most success using jig and minnow combinations, and lindy rigs with leeches or crawlers. Fish can be found as deep as 20-25 feet during the day, heading shallower in the evening. Small northern pike are biting everywhere, hitting just about anything thrown their way; try rattle traps, rapalas, spinnerbaits, or spinnerbaits tipped with a plastic minnow or jerk shad for the most action. Large minnows under a bobber rig are the best bet for larger northerns. Anglers report an increase in crappie and sunfish action this week. Small hooks tipped with crappie minnows under a slip bobber are working best in the shallower, warmer bays. As with the pike, bass are hitting just about anything tossed at them. For the most action, use spinnerbaits or plastics. www.whitefish.org

Pine River

Pine River area lakes have been good for most species of gamefish recently, and this action is expected to continue through early July. Walleyes are moving to their summer haunts at the bottom of the weedlines and to depths of 22-30 feet. While jig and minnow combinations have produced well, nightcrawlers and leeches are becoming more popular. Northern pike have been aggressive, hitting on almost all Pine River area lakes. Bass anglers are reporting lots of bass, with surface baits, spinnerbaits and plastics all turning fish. Crappies will soon move deeper, where they should actively feed in 10-15 feet. Sunfish are still spawning in some areas. 800-728-6926; www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd Lakes Area

Anglers are having fun fishing the Brainerd Lakes Area lakes. Walleyes, northern pike and bass have been very aggressive. North Long and Round lakes have been best for numbers of walleyes, especially during early morning and evening hours. On windy days, cast a jig and shiner towards the weedlines in 5-15 feet of water. A live bait rig tipped with a redtail or a nightcrawler has also been a good option. Look for fish on the edge of the weeds and keep the boat moving. Bass and pike have been snapping up spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jig worms. The most active fish remain in the shallows; a slow retrieve through 3-12 feet of water has been best. 800-450-2838; www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs

The bite is hot on Lake Mille Lacs, with reports of 30-50 fish days coming in from area launch captains and local guides. Surface water temperatures are averaging roughly 73-degrees, and continue to climb toward more conventional late-June levels. Some fish are beginning to make the transition to deeper waters (26-plus feet), while some remain in the shallow rocks (less than 12 feet of water). The shallow water has been best during evening hours, but some fish can even be found in the shallows during the day. Leeches under slip bobbers are the ticket here. In the deeper waters, minnows, crawlers and spinners, leeches on a simple live-bait rig, and even some hard baits are producing fish. The deep water bite is taking place at the mud flats, with some action also occurring at the deeper gravel. If the water temperatures continue to warm slowly, expect this fabulous bite to continue well into July. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

Water temperatures on area lakes are running 70- to 75- degrees, and continue to warm. The panfish bite has been excellent. Crappie action has been inconsistent due to a continued spawn. Walleye anglers report decent action if you are willing to put in a little extra time. The most productive lakes for walleyes are Diamond, Eagle, Nest, Green, Andrew, and Florida. Anglers fishing Foot Lake are having lots of success with the walleye, panfish, bass and northern pike. Leeches and crawlers seem to be best at this time. 800-845-8747; www.willmarlakesarea.com

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan area
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area

The panfish have been very active, with nice-sized sunnies coming from 6-8 feet of water on North & South Center, South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes. Anglers using waxworms and panfish leeches are taking the most fish. A good northern pike and sunfish bite is being reported on Sunrise Lake. Walleyes have moved deeper, with a few fish being taken. Bass have been active on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. 651/257-1177; www.chisagolakeschamber.com

Southern Minnesota
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams

As of today, Thursday, June 27, streams are receding and clearing, however most are not yet fishable. Most area streams and rivers are considered muddy, with high water levels. To find some clear water you must head to the headwaters. The further north you go the better the streams will be. Houston County got hit really hard earlier this week, as did most of Fillmore. As further updates on stream conditions become available they will be posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. 800-944-2670; www.lanesboro.com

Albert Lea

Anglers are pulling some good-sized northern pike from Fountain Lake. Panfish have been active in lakes throughout the area. But the big news has been the number of large walleyes coming from the Edgewater Park, Island, and "The Mermaid" areas of Fountain Lake. 800-345-8414; www.albertleatourism.org

Fairmont Area Lakes

Bluegills have been very active on Sisseton and Budd lakes, with fish coming from 3-5 foot depths on small jigs tipped with wax worms. Crappie anglers are taking fish from Hall, Budd and Sisseton lakes. The best approach has been a small jig and a minnow worked in 4-8 feet of water. Walleye are coming from Tuttle, Big Twin and Hall lakes. For the most fish, hit the shallow waters during the day use crankbaits or live bait rigs; at night, switch to a slip bobber and minnow. And catfish anglers are having a blast on Hall, Fox, and Budd lakes, with worms and minnows on snells turning some nice fish. 800-657-3280; www.fairmontcvb.com

Ortonville -Big Stone Lake

As of late last week, Big Stone Lake walleye remained very active, especially on south end of Big Stone Lake. Productive areas included the islands south to Ortonville, the very foot of the lake, and up the Minnesota side to the peninsula. Anglers having the most success were pulling shad raps or trolling with spinners on a planer board through shallow waters. Many nice walleye measuring over 20-inches, as well as a large number of fish in the 17-20 inch class were reported. Big Stone was also kicking out a variety of other species, including good numbers of bluegills, crappies, perch, northern pike, white bass, and even some bullheads! 800-568-5722; www.bigstonelake.com