Explore Minnesota Fishing Report June 6
Minnows remain the best bait for walleye, and bass action has been excellent throughout 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, crappie action has greatly improved throughout Black Bay. Walleye are scattered at a variety of depths in the bays and at the main-lake structure. For the most fish, use minnows in Lost Bay, Saginaw Bay, Jackfish Bay, and on the Rainy River. Smallmouth bass remain active on the shallow rocks. Northern pike reports have been limited.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, walleye are being taken early and late in the day along the windswept shorelines and at the points in 8-15 feet of water. The best day bite is taking place in depths of 26-32 feet. Minnows, leeches and floating jigs have worked best. For northern pike, troll the shorelines with crankbaits in 12-15 feet of water. Look to the shallows on the east end of the lake for crappies.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, minnows, leeches and crankbaits are producing walleye in the 8- to 14-foot mud areas. A few fish have been taken during the day off the points and breaks. Crappies, in the 12- to 14-inch class, are hitting minnows on plain hooks or tinsel-colored jigs. Hit the shallow, wooded areas for the most fish. Topwater baits, plastics and spinnerbaits are providing steady bass action in the shallows.
Ely
The walleye bite has been excellent on many area lakes throughout the day, and peaking during evening hours. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination in 6 feet of water, or troll a rapala through depths of 12-20 feet. For good numbers of smallmouth bass, use crankbaits in 6-15 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting minnows, spoons and crankbaits along the weed edges on most lakes.
Grand Marais
Walleye anglers are taking fish using minnows in 18-20 feet of water on Devil’s Track Lake, in 10-12 feet of water on Elbow Lake, in depths of 15-18 feet on Devil Fish Lake, and in 12 feet of water on Lake Tom. During the evening hours, walleye are also hitting trolled Rattlin’ Rougues on Poplar and Saganaga lakes. Crawlers worked tight to the bottom are producing rainbow trout on Mink and Kimball lakes. Lake trout are hitting ciscoes over 40 feet of water on Clearwater and Trout lakes. Spoons are providing steady northern pike action on Northern Lights Lake. Smallmouth bass are active on most area lakes.
Duluth
A leech under a bobber, and jig and minnow combinations, are producing walleye on Island Lake in 18-20 feet of water. The same presentations are working well on Fish Lake in 12 feet of water. On Rice Lake, walleye and northern pike are hitting minnows worked in 6 feet of water. Crappies are being pulled from the narrows of Fish Lake, with bluegills coming from the bays. The Wisconsin side of Lake Superior is giving up walleye, king salmon and lake trout. FOr the most fish, try trolling stickbaits roughly 25 feet down in 50-70 feet of water.
McGregor
Walleye action is picking up on Minnewawa and Big Sandy lakes, with leeches and minnows producing fish in 15-20 feet of water. Sunfish have moved shallow on most area lakes. For the largest fish, hit Big Sandy, Minnewawa and Ratt lakes. Northern pike are attacking minnows on Big Sandy Lake. Bass remain active in the shallows of most area lakes.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, limits of 15- to 16-inch walleye are being taken by drifting jigs tipped with minnows, or spinners and leeches, through 13-20 feet of water around The Lighthouse Gap and Pine Island. Smallmouth bass and northern pike are biting throughout the Rainy River. At the Northwest Angle, walleye are coming from the shallow structure.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleye continue to hit jig and minnow combinations in 4-8 feet of water throughout the lake. Crappies are being pulled from the south shore rocks and north-end shorelines. The larger northern pike have started hitting in depths of 3-8 feet. For the most fish, use minnows, crankbaits and spoons.
Blackduck
Blackduck Lake is producing walleye on crankbaits worked in 10 feet of water during evening hours. During the day, hit the deeper waters using slip bobbers and leeches. On Gull and Island lakes, walleye are hitting leeches in depths of 12 feet or less. Walleye anglers are also doing well pitching shiners into the Blackduck River. Panfish action is picking up in the shallows of Gull and Rabideau lakes.
Bemidji
On sunny days, crappie action has picked up in the shallows of most lakes. Bass remain very active in the shallows of Deer and Midge lakes, as well as on the Turtle River Chain. Walleye have been the most active on lakes Bemidji and Platangenet, especially in less than 12 feet of water. The best approach has been a jig and shiner minnow–switch to leeches and crawlers once these fish move deeper.
Cass Lake
Small walleye are still being caught in the current areas, but the points and inside turns of Cass Lake are holding more fish as they start moving back into the lake. Jigs tipped with shiners or lindy rigs and leeches are working best. Northern pike are hitting minnows in Allen’s Bay of Cass Lake, and panfish have moved shallow on most lakes. Look for perch in the shallow bulrushes throughout the Cass Chain.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, a jig and minnow combination remains best for walleye in 12 feet of water or less. The better locations include the points and shoreline breaks at Raven’s Point, The Highbanks, Bird Houses, and Little Stoney Point. Perch action has been best in 6 feet of water. A few walleye are coming from the bars in depths of 20-22 feet.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleye action has been best at the windswept shores of Pine and Stony points. The Hardwoods, Star Island, and The Meadows have also been good when the wind is blowing into them, with fish found in 6-14 feet of water. Anglers report an evening walleye bite when using crankbaits in Walker Bay and at the main-lake reefs. Panfish action has picked up in the harbors and bays.
Hackensack
Stoney and Ten Mile lakes have been best for walleye. For the most fish, use minnows in 13-17 feet of water. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active on most area lakes, with the largest fish coming from Birch and Ten Mile lakes. Crappies are being pulled from Long Bay on Ten Mile Lake.
Park Rapids
Walleye are hitting minnows and crankbaits worked in 12 feet of water on Big Sand Lake. On Straight Lake, fathead minnows are working best at the 14- to 18-foot weed edge. Long Lake is giving up walleye on fatheads worked through depths of 14-16 feet. Crappies are being pulled from the shallows of Long and Big Toad lakes. Straight Lake and the Crow Wing Chain are producing bluegills in 6-8 feet of water. For bass, use spinnerbaits. Sucker minnows have been best for northern pike.
Detroit Lakes
Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of Melissa, Sallie, Severson and Big Detroit lakes. Bass and northern pike have been an easy catch in the shallow, weedy areas of most lakes. Minnows and leeches are producing walleye in 8-16 feet of water on Pelican, Big Pine, Island, Melissa and Sallie lakes. Sunfish have started to show up along the shorelines of many area lakes.
Battle Lake
Walleye are hitting shiner minnows and leeches worked in 15-22 feet of water on Clitherall, Little Pine, Walker, Silver, Star and Stalker lakes. Crappie action remains strong in the shallows of East Battle, Stewart, West Battle, Blanche and Stalker lakes. Look for bluegills in less than 6 feet of water on West Battle, Star and Dead lakes. Bass seem to be active on all area lakes. For northern pike, hit the emerging weedlines of West Battle, Long, Otter Tail and South Turtle lakes using spoons or sucker minnows.
Alexandria
Crappie action is strong in the shallows of Darling, Ida, Miltona, Geneva and Le Homme Dieu lakes. Lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are producing walleye on lakes Mary and Reno in 10-20 feet of water. Miltona and Ida lakes are also giving up a few walleye. For bass, use spinnerbaits and plastics on any area lake.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleyes are hitting nightcrawlers, and bobber and minnow combinations, in 7-9 feet of water along the Rock Pile on Lake Osakis; depths of 12 feet have been best on the northwest side of the lake. Bass fishing is excellent on most area lakes. Sunfish are very active on the northeast end of Lake Osakis in the shallows. Look for crappies in the shallows of Smith and Maple lakes.
Sauk Centre
Crappie action has picked up in the reeds of Big Birch Lake. Fairy Lake is producing eating-sized northern pike on sucker minnows. Spot-tailed shiners remain best for walleye on Little Birch, Sylvia and Swan lakes. The weedbeds of McCormick Lake are also holding walleye.
Starbuck
Lake Minnewaska is producing walleye in 24-28 feet of water on jigs and minnows, and in depths of 12-15 feet on spinners and leeches. Try trolling shallow-running crankbaits on Lake Emily for a few walleye and pike. Crappie action has picked up on the north side of Lake Emily near “The Springs.” For panfish, hit the Starbuck Marina on Lake Minnewaska. Bass are active on most area lakes.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleye are hitting minnows and leeches worked in 8-14 feet of water on Gull, North Long and Round lakes. Bass and northern pike are active on most area lakes in less than 12 feet of water. Bluegills and crappies should start showing up along the reeds and shorelines in the near future.
Cross Lake
Lindy rigs tipped with shiner minnows or leeches are turning walleye throughout the Whitefish Chain in 12 feet of water. Large sucker minnows and spinnerbaits have been good for northern pike when worked along the shallow weedlines of most lakes. Bass remain active in the shallows. Crappies can now be found at the emerging weedlines when using small jigs and minnows.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the east end is producing walleyes on the 20- to 22-foot gravel areas around Hennepin Island on lindy rigs and crankbaits during the day. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best during evening hours on the shallow rock reefs south of Big Point. Smallmouth bass action has been excellent around the docks, shorelines and shallow rocks. On the west end of the lake, walleye are hitting both lindy rigs and leeches, and spinner rigs and rainbow minnows, on the mud. Work the tops of Seguchie, Eight Mile and Sherman’s flats in 20-22 feet of water for the most fish. The breaks at St. Alban’s Bay, and the shallow rock points have been best for walleye during low-light hours when using crankbaits, or slip bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth bass remain active on the shallow rocks.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Leeches are providing the best walleye bite on Lake Koronis in 15-25 feet of water. Leeches are also working well on Rice Lake in depths of 8-15 feet, Pearl Lake in 15 feet of water, and on Grand Lake in depths of 20-25 feet. Rice and Horseshoe lakes are kicking out crappies and bass in the shallows. For northern pike, work the weedlines of Lake Koronis. Sunfish are active in the shallows of Pearl, Horseshoe and Browns lakes.
Zimmerman/Elk River
Smallmouth bass are hitting nightcrawlers and small crankbaits on the Mississippi and Rum rivers. Minnows continue to produce a few walleye on Green Lake in 12-16 feet of water during low-light hours. Although small, panfish remain active in the shallows of lakes Elk, Blue and Green.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Minnows and leeches are turning a few walleye on Clearwater Lake in 24 feet of water, in French Lake in depths of 8-12 feet, and on lakes John and Cedar in 18-20 feet of water. Panfish action has been slow, with fish moving in and out of the shallows. Bass remain an easy catch on most area lakes in less than 8 feet of water. The weedlines of Pleasant, Sugar and John lakes have started producing northern pike.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and shallow-running crankbaits on lakes Auburn and Zumbra. Northern pike are hitting spoons and sucker minnows on Stieger and Whaletail lakes. Pierson Lake is producing northern pike and bass along the weedlines. On the Minnesota River, walleye are hitting jigs and white plastics at the creek mouths, with sucker minnows turning large flathead catfish. A few crappies are coming off Lake Minnewashta in 6 feet of water. The east side of Lotus Lake is giving up walleye in 9 feet of water.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, work the shallow weed edges using spinnerbaits for lots of bass. Crappies and sunfish can be found from the shorelines out to the 10-foot weedlines. The walleye bite has been best during evening hours in 8-10 feet of water. During the day, work 20 feet of water using minnows, leeches, and crawlers off Kegg’s Reef and North Reef for the most fish.
Wayzata
Bass are an easy catch on the inside weedlines of most lakes. Crappies and sunfish are also coming from the shorelines throughout the area. For northern pike, hit Medicine Lake using sucker minnows in 10-12 feet of water. On Lake Minnetonka, a variety of live bait options are producing walleye on the 12- to 15-foot weedlines. Smaller walleye have been an easy catch on Lake Independence in depths of 12 feet.
Chisago City
Walleye are biting early and late in the day on the east and south ends of Chisago Lake in 8-12 feet of water. The bars of South Lindstrom Lake are also giving up a few walleye. Panfish are active around the docks of most lakes, and bass remain an easy catch in the shallow water areas. For northern pike, use sucker minnows under bobbers on top of the 8 foot weed flats of Sunrise Lake.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
Anglers using crankbaits report steady bass action on Olson, Jane, White Bear and Demontreville lakes. Big Marine and White Bear lakes have been best for northern pike. Walleye are hitting jig and minnow combinations in the Prescott area of the St. Croix River. Look for crappies in the shallows of Little Carnelian and Big Marine lakes.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Three-way rigs have started turning walleye in the back channel of the Mississippi River. Walleye and sauger are hitting #5 and #7 shad raps trolled through the Maiden Rock and Bay City Flats areas of Lake Pepin. Bluegills and crappies are coming from the docks at Baypoint Park.
Faribault
The shallow sand areas of Shields and Mazaska lakes continue to produce crappies and bluegills. On French Lake, walleye are being taken on crankbaits pulled over the cabbage early in the day. During midday hours, use leeches and minnows in 16-18 feet of water. Bass and northern pike fishing remains excellent on most area lakes.
Waterville
Trolling rapalas through 8 feet of water on Lake Sakatah has produced walleye and northern pike. The channel between Sakatah and Tetonka lakes continues to give up panfish. The lagoon on Lake Tetonka has also produced crappies this week.
Mankato
Crankbaits and leeches are producing walleye in 14-18 feet of water on Washington and Madison lakes. The shallow weeds of Lura Lake, and the southeast end of Lake Hanska have also given up walleye. Look to Baker’s Bay and Mud Bay on Lake Washington for numbers of panfish. The shallows of Lake Francis have also been good for panfish. Little Jefferson Lake remains a safe bet for bass and pike.
Fairmont
Crappies continue to hit near the docks of Hall and Budd lakes. The point on Hall Lake is also giving up walleye in 8-10 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting fathead minnows in less than 8 feet of water on Amber Lake. Iowa Lake is a safe bet for catfish. Bass fishing remains very good off Budd and Sissiton lakes.
Ortonville
An evening crankbait bite is being reported around the islands of Big Stone Lake in 7-10 feet of water. Crankbaits are also producing walleye on Artichoke Lake in depths of 6-10 feet. Lake Lac qui Parle is giving up a few walleye. Work the shallows of Long Tom Lake for crappies.
Willmar
Look for walleye in 10 feet of water or less on Elizabeth, Long, Ringo, Solomon and Diamond lakes. The 10- to 20-foot weedlines of Lake Andrew have also produced walleye. The area’s best panfish action is coming off Green, Nest, Eagle and Florida lakes in less than 6 feet. Bass action is good throughout the area. Lakes such as Norway, Calhoun and Florida have been good for northern pike.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
