Explore Minnesota Fishing Report May 30
The walleye bite continues to improve, and bass action has been excellent throughout much of the state.
The opening dates for the 2008/2009 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, lake trout and stream trout in lakes, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; and for muskie, June 7. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales
Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleye and northern pike are hitting shiner minnows in 6-10 feet of water throughout Lost, Saginaw and Jackfish bays. On the Rainy River, walleye remain active from Sherwood Landing to the Golf Course. A few crappies are being caught in Black Bay. The Canadian side of the Rainy River has been best for smallmouth bass.
Grand Rapids
A jig and shiner minnow combination is producing walleye in 7-11 feet of water on Bowstring and Sand lakes. Some evening walleye action is being reported in depths of 14-22 feet on Sugar and Deer lakes. The Mississippi River is giving up limits of walleye in 7-18 feet of water. Crappies can be found in the shallow bays of lakes Pokegama and Wabana, and on the Mississippi River. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active on lakes Pokegama, Wabana, Deer and Trout.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, walleye and sauger remain scattered but active 20-28 feet of water during the day, and in depths of 8-12 feet during low-light hours. Work the reef edges or shoreline structure using minnows for the most fish. For northern pike, work the weedy bays. By this weekend, crappies should be moving into the shallows of Sullivan Bay, Lost Bay, and Lost Lake.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, the majority of eating-size walleye are coming from depths of 22-32 feet. Crankbaits continue to work well during low-light hours at the windswept shorelines, especially throughout Pike Bay. Leeches and minnows have also worked well for walleye this week. Northern pike are active in the shallow, soft-bottomed bays, with fish hitting minnows, spinnerbaits and spoons. Crappies are also showing up in the shallow bays.
Ely
Northern pike are hitting large sucker minnows along the emerging weedbeds on Farm Lake. Walleye are being caught in the tail waters of the power dam on Fall Lake, and in the deep pool in front of Silver Rapids Resort on White Iron Lake. Minnows worked in 6-20 feet of water have produced the majority of walleye. Most sun-soaked, rock-covered shorelines are holding smallmouth bass.
Grand Marais
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleye in both 5-9 feet of water on Devil’s Track, Devil’s Fish, Elbow and Two Island lakes, with some fish also being pulled from 12-15 feet of water. On Lake Saganaga, the best walleye action is taking place in depths of 20-25 feet. Smallmouth bass are roaming the shallows of most lakes. Crescent Lake is producing perch in 12 foot depths. On Trout Lake, crawlers are turning lake trout in 40 feet of water, and rainbow trout in 25 feet of water.
Duluth
Boulder and Island lakes are producing walleye in less than 10 feet of water on minnows. Northern pike are attacking chubs at the shorelines on Rice Lake. A decent walleye bite is being reported during the day in 8 feet of water on the St. Louis River. Stickbaits trolled close to the surface have been best for cohos on Lake Superior.
McGregor
Walleye anglers are taking a few fish by using minnows on area rivers, as well as in 8-12 feet of water on Lake Minnewawa. Panfish are expected to soon move into the shallow bays of most area lakes. The most consistent reports are coming from bass anglers.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, jigs tipped with shiner minnows are producing walleye in 10-14 feet of water. Some of the better locations this week include Four Mile Bay, the Lighthouse Gap, and Morris Point. For the most fish, use brightly-colored jigs during morning and evening hours.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleye are hitting minnows on jigs and slip bobbers worked on the 6- to 8-foot shoreline breaks. A few large northern pike are also being taken. The crappie bite remains strong, with fish coming from the rock pile just west of Mort’s Landing on the north shore.
Blackduck
Walleye are hitting crankbaits and minnows during evening hours in 7-10 feet of water on Blackduck Lake. A jig and minnow combination is working well on the Blackduck River. Look to lakes Rabideau and Gilstead for panfish in less than 6 feet of water. Bass have been very active in the shallows of most lakes.
Bemidji
Walleye are hitting jigs tipped with minnows in 7-10 feet of water on lakes Bemidji and Plantagenet. Crappies have moved into the shallow bays of most lakes. For northern pike, hit depths of less than 8 feet on Lake Bemidji. Bass have been an easy catch in the shallows on Deer and Midge lakes, as well as on the Turtle River Chain.
Cass Lake
Allen’s Bay on Cass Lake is kicking out crappies and bluegills in 4 feet of water. Walleye anglers are doing well in the bridge area of Lake Andrusia when using jigs tipped with shiner minnows in 4-8 feet of water. The shallow gravel and sand areas throughout Cass Lake have been good for perch.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations, as well as short-snelled lindy rigs and minnows, worked in 7-14 feet of water. Some of the better locations this week have been Little Stoney and Raven’s points, and “the rock” on the east side of the lake. Perch action remains most consistent in 7-12 feet of water, especially along the points and shoreline breaks.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleye action remains very good in 6-9 feet of water off Stoney, Star and Pine points, as well as at Joe’s Landing. Sucker Bay is giving up a few bass. Shingobee Bay has been good for crappies. For perch, hit depths of 9-11 feet in the Hardwoods area.
Hackensack
Walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations in 15-18 feet of water on Birch Lake, and in less than 12 feet of water on Pine Mountain Lake. Crappie action has heated up in the shallow bays of Ten Mile, Five Point and Ox Yoke lakes. Check the weedlines on Woman Lake for lots of northern pike. Good numbers of largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found in the shallows of most area lakes.
Park Rapids
White spinnerbaits are producing bass in the shallows of Potato, Belle Taine, Fish Hook and Big Sand lakes. Good numbers of walleye are hitting minnows worked in 4-9 feet of water on most of the small, shallow lakes. Panfish can be found in the bulrushes of Mud Bay on Fish Hook Lake, and throughout the Crow Wing Chain. Big Mantrap Lake remains the area’s best bet for northern pike.
Detroit Lakes
The bays and shorelines of Severson, Melissa, Sallie and Big Detroit lakes are producing good numbers of crappies. Minnows are turning walleye along the 6- to 14-foot shoreline breaks and points on Big Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Pelican, Big Pine, Little Pine and Island lakes. Northern pike are being taken along with the walleye. Bass action has been strong in the shallows of most area lakes.
Battle Lake
Jigs tipped with leeches or shiner minnows are triggering walleye in 10-22 feet of water on Clitherall, Walker, Silver, Otter Tail, West Battle and East Battle lakes. Crappies can be found suspended over 15 feet of water on Stalker, Blanche, East Battle, Clitherall and Walker lakes. Topwater baits are turning bass in the shallows of Eagle, Long, Clitherall and Blanche lakes. For northern pike, work sucker minnows on the emerging weedlines of West Battle and Otter Tail lakes.
Alexandria
Lakes Mary and Reno continue to produce walleye in 6-12 feet of water. Crappies are moving in and out of the shallows of the bays on lakes Carlos, Le Homme Dieu, Geneva and Darling. Bass are hitting plastics and jigs in less than 8 feet on many area lakes.
Starbuck
Brightly-colored spinnerbaits thrown into the shallows have produced numbers of largemouth and smallmouth bass on Lake Minnewaska. Crappies and sunnies continue to be taken from less than 8 feet of water. Long Lake is producing walleye on crankbaits worked in 12 feet of water. Lake Minnewaska is giving up walleye in depths of 24-26 feet on jigs tipped with minnows.
Sauk Centre
A decent walleye bite is being reported by anglers using shiner minnows on Little Birch Lake in depths of 8-12 feet. On McCormick Lake, fathead minnows are turning walleye in 8 feet of water during the day. Fairy Lake is giving up numbers of eating-size northern pike.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms continue to produce crappies and sunnies in the shallow bays of most lakes. Gull and Round lakes are giving up walleye in depths of less than 10 feet on spot-tailed shiners and crankbaits. Bass reports are strong in less than 8 feet of water on most lakes.
Cross Lake
Walleye are being pulled from the moving water areas on Rush, Whitefish and Crosslake in less than 8 feet of water. Lindy rigs tipped with a minnow or crankbait are working best. While the cool water temperatures have kept northern pike activity to a minimum, the bass are very active and hitting spinnerbaits and jigs at the shallow, emerging weedlines. Crappies continue to be found in the shallow bays of most area lakes.
Crosby
Jigs and crankbaits pitched into the shallows of Serpent Lake are triggering walleye and bass. Clearwater and Rabbit lakes, and the Mississippi River have also produced a few walleye. Look for crappies in 2-5 feet of water, as well as at the 9- to 14-foot weedlines, on Serpent and Rabbit lakes. Work the 2- to 4-foot reeds and bulrushes on lakes Mahnomen, Little Rabbit, and Little Black Hoof for lots of sunfish. Bass action has been good throughout the area. Trout continue to be taken on #7 shad raps worked in the pits.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye are hitting crawlers during the day at the northeast sand breaks in 12-18 feet of water. The evening bite has been best using bobbers and leeches in 6-12 feet of water on the reefs from Big Point on south. Work the docks for smallmouth bass. On the west side of the lake, live-bait rigs are turning walleye in 13-17 feet of water throughout St. Alban’s Bay during the day. Slip bobbers with minnows or leeches are also working well during daytime hours in 8-12 feet of water off Seguchie and Brown’s points. At night, try trolling crankbaits through 3-6 foot depths along the shorelines. Northern pike are coming from the shallows, often in and around the boat harbors.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Lindy rigs tipped with leeches or minnows are producing walleye on Lake Koronis in 16-25 feet of water during the day. Fish are also being taken during evening hours when fishing depths of less than 10 feet. On Rice and Grand lakes, walleye are active in 10-18 feet of water. The channel areas of Horseshoe Lake continue to produce walleye, and Long Lake is giving up fish in 6-22 foot depths. Crappies can be found in the shallows of Long, Horseshoe, Rice and Pearl lakes. The bass bite has been strong on all area lakes, while Lake Koronis remains the area’s best bet for northern pike in depths of 10-12 feet.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Fathead minnows are producing walleye in 4-12 feet of water on Clearwater, French and Buffalo lakes. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits in the shallows of most lakes. Sucker minnows continue to work best for northern pike at the weedlines of Clearwater, Pleasant and John lakes. Sunfish reports are minimal, but crappies are easy to find in the shallows of lakes Sylvia, Sugar, Cedar, Pleasant and Clearwater.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinty
Sunfish are being pulled from the shallows of Lake Minnewashta. Spinnerbaits are producing numbers of bass on Whaletail Lake, while Stieger and Zumbra lakes have been good for northern pike and bass. Walleye and white bass anglers are doing well by pitching a jig and minnow into the Minnesota River. Lake Bavaria continues to give up a few crappies in the shallows.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass are hitting topwater baits and plastics worked from the shoreline out to 12 feet of water. Walleye are coming from Keggs Reef in 13-17 feet of water early and late in the day. A few crappies continue to be pulled off the docks near the marina, however better numbers are now coming from the reeds in Reinkie’s Bay and on the northwest side of the lake. Sunfish are active in the shallows.
Wayzata
The bass bite has been excellent in the shallows of all area lakes. On Lake Minnetonka, look for walleye at the 14- to 16-foot channels using bobbers and leeches at night. Sunfish have moved shallow. The majority of crappie reports are coming from the shorelines in 8 feet of water. Medicine Lake is giving up a few walleye on minnows worked in 12 feet of water. A few walleye are also being pulled from Lake Independence, with leeches working best in 12-14 foot depths. The channels of Lake Minnetonka remain the best bet for northern pike.
Chisago City
Shiner minnows are triggering walleye at the 18-foot points of Chisago and North Center lakes during the day. At night, hit the shallows. Bass are very active throughout the area. Crappies remain active in the shallows of Chisago, South Lindstrom, North Center and South Center lakes. Look to Sunrise Lake for bass and northern pike. Chisago Lake has given up some nice-sized pike this week.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
Panfish action has been very good in 4-8 feet of water on lakes such as Silver, Tanners, and White Bear. Walleye are coming from the Prescott area of the St. Croix River in 15-25 foot depths. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits in the shallows of Jane, Olson and Demontreville lakes. For northern pike, use sucker minnows on Lake Owasso.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, walleye and sauger are being pulled from 6-10 feet of water on trolled crankbaits at the Head of the Lakes and Bay City Flats. Anglers are also doing well by trolling leadcore presentations at the Vermillion River. The docks at Baypoint Park are holding crappies. Bass are an easy catch in the shallows up and down the river.
Faribault
The shallow sand areas of Shields and Hunt lakes are holding sunfish. Spinnerbaits and plastics are producing good numbers of bass on Shields and Cedar lakes. Northern pike are hitting trolled spoons on Roberds Lake. An evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers using fathead minnows at the 15-foot rock bars of French Lake.
Waterville
Walleye are hitting leeches and nightcrawlers in 12-15 feet of water on Sakatah, Horseshoe, Sabre and Gorman lakes. Sunfish and crappies are coming from the channels between lakes Sakatah and Tetonka. Sakatah Lake is giving up northern pike on trolled spinnerbaits. Bass are active in the shallows of most area lakes.
Mankato
Tube jigs are producing numbers of bass on Lake Washington. The Baker’s Bay area of Lake Washington is giving up crappies in 10-12 feet of water, with a few walleye coming from the deeper waters. Madison and Elysian lakes have been good for walleye during evening hours. Panfish are coming from 10 feet of water or less on the south end of German Lake and on the west side of Lake Francis.
Fairmont
Walleye and northern pike continue to hit minnows and leeches in the shallows on Hall and Tuttle lakes. Fathead minnows are producing catfish on Amber Lake. Fox Lake remains best for numbers of bass. Crappies remain active in the channel between Amber and Hall lakes, as well as at the power plant on Lake George.
Willmar
Minnows, leeches and crawlers are all producing a few walleye in less than 10 feet of water on Diamond, East Solomon and Elizabeth lakes. Northern pike and bass are active on most area lakes. Panfish reports have been limited, however a few have been found near the spawning areas.
Ortonville
On the south end of Big Stone Lake, walleye are coming from the islands on down to Ortonville. During the day, crankbaits and spinner rigs are working best in 8-9 feet of water. At night, try casting jigs into depths of 5 feet. Northern pike and white bass are hitting spoons on the Minnesota River. Artichoke Lake continues to give up walleye and crappies in 6-8 feet of water. The Twin Bridges area on Lake Lac qui Parle has started to produce a few walleye close to shore.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
