Minnesota Fishing Report Thursday, June 19
Panfish and bass opportunities are abundant throughout the state.
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, minnows continue to produce walleyes in 8-12 feet of water. Some of the better locations this week include the Brule River, Saginaw Bay and Cranberry Bay areas. Black Bay is producing crappies in depths of 6-10 feet. Lost Bay has been best for larger northern pike.
Grand Rapids
Wabana, Deer, Moose, Pokegama and Sugar lakes are giving up walleyes in 17-20 feet of water. Crappies and bluegills remain shallow on Big and Little Splithand, Wabana, Deer and Moose lakes. The Mississippi River has produced some good-sized bluegills. Smallmouth bass are very active in the shallow sand areas. Swan Lake has been good for northern pike.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, walleyes are hitting leeches and crankbaits worked at the windswept shorelines in 14-22 feet of water. Muskie action has picked up in the soft, weedy bays, with hair baits and twitch baits working best. Look to Black Bay for crappies. Northern pike and sunfish have been easy to catch in the weedy areas of most bays.
Ely
Anglers are taking stringers of walleyes on leeches worked in 8-15 feet of water on most lakes, with Newfound and Bear Head lakes leading the way. Smallmouth bass are hitting crankbaits and leeches worked along the shorelines of most lakes.
Grand Marais
Walleyes are hitting rapalas trolled through the shallows of Devil’s Track Lake. Devil’s Fish Lake is giving up walleyes to anglers using leeches in 20 feet of water. On lakes Saganaga and Seagull, a jig and minnow combination is working best in depths of 20-25 feet. Minnows are working well on Crescent Lake in 18 feet of water. Rainbow trout are being pulled from depths of 15 feet on Kimball Lake, with trout also being taken from 25-30 feet of water on Trout Lake. Elbow Lake has started to produce perch in depths of 8-10 feet.
Duluth
The narrows area of Fish Lake are producing sunnies and crappies. Walleyes are hitting leeches worked in 10 feet of water on Boulder Lake. Rice Lake is giving up lots of northern pike in depths of 7 feet, with most fish hitting chubs. Lake Superior and the St. Louis River remain “muddy” due to recent heavy rainfall, however both should give up fish once the water becomes clearer.
McGregor
Walleye action has slowed, with just a few fish being taken from 12-18 feet of water during evening hours on Big Sandy and Minnewawa lakes. Northern pike have been aggressive throughout the area, with good-sized fish coming from the weedlines on Big Sandy Lake. Bass and sunfish are moving into the shallows of most area lakes on sunny days.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, numbers of 17- to 19-inch walleyes are being taken on jigs and spinners tipped with minnows or leeches. The best location has been in 18-26 feet of water around Pine Island, or just outside the Lighthouse Gap. At the Northwest Angle, walleyes are coming in on bottom bouncers and chubs worked on the east side of Oak Island.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, a jig and minnow combination continues to produce good numbers of walleyes in 3-8 feet of water. For the most fish, work the shoreline breaks or current areas at Shotley Brook and on the Tamarack River. The north shore continues to give up a few crappies. The larger northern pike have started to hit along the shorelines near Agassiz and Westwind, as well as at the mouth of the Tamarack River.
Blackduck
Walleyes are hitting leeches worked at the 12-foot humps of Blackduck Lake during the day. At night, try crankbaits along the shorelines. Look to Island and Gull lakes for a few walleyes as well. Panfish action has improved in the shallows of Rabideau, Gilstead, Pimushe and Turtle River lakes.
Bemidji
Walleyes are coming in on leeches and minnows worked in 8-14 feet of water on Lake Bemidji. A jig and minnow combination is taking walleyes from depths of 12-16 feet on Lake Plantagenet. Panfish and bass have been an easy catch in the shallows of most area lakes. For northern pike, try sucker minnows at the 5- to 12-foot cabbage areas on any area lake.
Cass Lake
The weed edges and sand breaks of Cass Lake, Pike Bay Lake, Lake Andrusia, and Wolf Lake are producing walleyes in 4-8 feet of water, as well as in depths of 16-20 feet. A jig and shiner combination, or lindy rig and leech have worked best. Perch and crappies are coming from the shallow weeds on the previously mentioned lakes. Grace Lake is giving up bass. For northern pike, hit 4-12 feet of water in Allen’s Bay on Cass Lake.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, jig and minnow combinations are taking walleyes from 8-12 feet of water at the points and shoreline breaks, especially when the wind is blowing and during low-light hours. During the day, the main lake bars should begin producing walleyes on lindy rigs and leeches worked in depths of 18-22 feet. Perch and northern pike are often mixed in with the walleyes in most shallow-water locations.
Walker
On Leech Lake, leeches are starting to produce walleyes on the windswept points in 6-10 feet of water. A jig and shiner minnow is taking fish from depths of 16-25 feet, with limits being common in both locations. Panfish have been active in 6-10 feet of water in areas adjacent to deep water. Northern pike are hitting a variety of baits near the areas holding panfish. A few muskies are coming in on small spinnerbaits.
Hackensack
Woman and Ten Mile lakes are producing walleyes in 17 feet of water. Work the rocks and breaks using crawlers and minnows during low-light hours for the most fish. Panfish continue to be pulled from the shallows of Birch and Pleasant lakes. Bass are active in the shallow weeds and near the docks on most lakes.
Park Rapids
The Crow Wing Chain of Lakes is providing steady panfish action in 3-12 feet of water. A jig and shiner minnow combination remains the best walleye presentation, especially in depths of 16 feet at Island, Potato, Fish Hook, Big Sand and Long lakes. Bass are hitting plastics on most area lakes. Island Lake is kicking out northern pike in 8-10 feet of water.
Detroit Lakes
Lakes Melissa, Sallie and Big Detroit are producing crappies in 2-12 feet of water. Walleyes are hitting shiners and small sucker minnows in depths of 11-16 feet on Sallie, Melissa and Pelican lakes, as well as Big and Little Cormorant lakes. Bluegills have moved into the shallow sand areas on Prairie, Sallie, Melissa, Big Cormorant and Little Cormorant lakes. Bass and northern pike action remains strong on all area lakes.
Battle Lake
On West Battle Lake, walleyes are hitting leeches in 18-23 and feet of water, as well as in depths of 30-35 feet. On Otter Tail Lake, walleyes taking minnows from 18-28 feet of water. Leeches worked in depths of 18-23 feet are triggering walleyes on Rush, Silver, Walker, Clitherall, Star and Blanche lakes. Look for crappies in 7-13 feet of water on Blanche, East Battle, West Battle, Stalker and Clitherall lakes. A steady bluegill bite is being reported in 3-6 feet of water on East Battle, West Battle, Star, Norway, Deer, Dead and West Leaf lakes. Most area lakes are producing bass on spinnerbaits and plastics. Otter Tail and South Turtle lakes are safe bets for northern pike. Muskie anglers have recently taken a few fish from West Battle Lake on bucktails.
Alexandria
Lake Ida is producing walleyes on leeches worked in 12-16 feet of water. Lakes Mary and Reno are giving up walleyes on minnows and crawlers worked in depths of 14-20 feet during low-light hours. Bass action remains strong at the emerging weedlines and along the shoreline areas of most lakes. Look for sunfish in less than 6 feet of water, with crappies being pulled from the 10- to 12-foot weedlines.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleyes are hitting crawlers and leeches in 18 feet of water. For the most fish, hit the Two Mile Bar, north end flats, and sunken island. Sunfish and bass are easy to find along the shorelines and at the shallow weeds. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows throughout the lake.
Starbuck
Shallow-running crankbaits are producing walleyes on Lake Emily. On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are being pulled from 24-28 feet of water, as well as from depths of 8-14 feet. Minnows, leeches and crawlers have all triggered walleyes during the day and into the night. Sunfish and crappies remain active in the shallow weeds and bulrushes on the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska. Bass and northern pike are active at the new weed growth on most area lakes.
Sauk Centre
Panfish action has been strong in the shallows of Sauk, Big Birch, Little Birch, Fairy and Villard lakes. Walleyes are coming from a number of locations, including the weeds on McCormick Lake, 28 feet of water on Little Birch Lake, and from depths of 12-16 feet on Maple Lake. Minnows, leeches and crawlers are all working well. Look to Fairy and Big Birch lakes for northern pike.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes continue to hit minnows, but leeches have started to work just as well. Gull, Round and North Long lakes are giving up fish in 12-30 feet of water. Bluegills and bass are holding in the shallows of most area lakes. Crappies can be found scattered between the shorelines and shallow weeds. Northern pike are hitting minnows in depths of 12-14 feet on most lakes.
Crosby
Trout can be found suspended over 60-120 feet of water on the area’s pit lakes. The early morning hours have been best, especially when using spoons, crawlers or power bait. The windblown points of most pits are holding smallmouth bass. Sunfish and crappies are coming from depths of 8-14 feet on Perry, Nokay, Black Hoof, Little Rabbit and Black lakes. Some evening walleye action is being reported by anglers using rapalas, or jig and minnow combinations over 20 feet of water on Serpent, Pelican and Rabbit lakes. For northern pike, hit the weedlines on Greer, Bass, Lower Mission and Horseshoe lakes.
Cross Lake
Lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers are producing walleyes throughout the Whitefish Chain in 15-30 feet of water. Work the docks and weedlines using spinnerbaits for lots of bass. Crappies can be found suspended using minnows at the weedlines. Northern pike remain active, with the majority of fish coming in on spinner rigs tipped with minnows worked at the weedlines.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the east end is producing walleyes on lindy rigs and leeches worked in the 26- to 28-foot gravel areas. During the day, the majority of fish are being taken from the area just north of Hennepin Island in 19-26 feet of water. At night, work the 9 foot reefs using slip bobbers and leeches. Smallmouth bass are coming from the shallow rocks and docks. On the west end of the lake, the tops and edges of the mud flats are giving up walleyes on spinners tipped with minnows or crawlers during the day. At night, work the deep sides of the flats using slip bobbers and leeches. Quite a few walleyes are being pulled from the rock points during evening hours as well. The weed edges of most bays are producing northern pike. For smallmouth bass, hit the rocks.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Sunfish are coming from 2-6 feet of water on Koronis, Rice, Pearl and Grand lakes, as well as from the Horseshoe Chain. Walleyes are hitting minnows and leeches in depths of 16-20 feet on Grand Lake, and in 9-12 feet of water on Horseshoe Lake. The weedlines of Lake Koronis are holding northern pike. The Sauk River is producing numbers of channel catfish. Bass are hitting topwater baits on most area lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River/Zimmerman
Green Lake is producing sunfish in 7 feet of water, with a few walleyes coming in on minnows worked in depths of 15-18 feet. Panfish and largemouth bass are active in the shallows of Blue Lake. Northern pike are attacking spinnerbaits on most area lakes. Bass action has been strong on Elk and Green lakes. Fishing has slowed on the Mississippi River due to recent heavy rainfall.
Annandale
Sunfish are being coming from less than 5 feet of water on lakes Sylvia, Clearwater, John, Granite and Pleasant. Leeches and crawlers are turning a few walleyes on Clearwater Lake in depths of 16-24 feet, with Sylvia Lake producing fish in 20 feet of water. Crappies have moved to the 8- to 12-foot weed edges of lakes Sylvia, Clearwater and Francis. Bass and northern pike are active on the weedlines of most area lakes.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Look for sunfish in 2-6 feet of water on Steiger, Auburn, Parley and Minnewashta lakes. The creek mouths on the Minnesota River are producing walleyes, with Parley Lake giving up a few in depths of 12-14 feet. For northern pike, troll spoon plugs and sucker minnows along the weedlines of lakes Zumbra and Auburn.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, walleyes are hitting leeches during low-light hours on the south sides of Cemetery and Keggs reefs in 12-16 feet of water. Sunfish are active in less than 6 feet of water at Nelson’s Flat, Pillsbury Reef, Reinkie’s Bay, and the sand flats on the northwest side of the lake. For bass, work the docks and reeds using spinnerbaits. A few larger northern pike were recently taken from the northeast corner of Reinkie’s Bay.
Wayzata
Most fish are weed-orientated on Lake Minnetonka. Walleyes can be found on 10- to 15-foot weedlines. Bass continue to hit spinnerbaits, plastics and topwaters at the shallow and mid-depth weeds. Sunfish are coming from the inside weed edges, and crappies are active at the 10- to 12-foot weedlines. Northern pike are hitting spinners and suckers trolled at the 8- to 12-foot weed edges.
Chisago City
Crappie action remains strong in less than 10 feet of water on Chisago, South Center and North Center lakes. Crankbaits and plastics have been best for bass at the emerging weedlines of most lakes. Sunrise Lake continues to give up a mixed bag of fish, including northern pike, panfish and bass. Walleyes are active in depths of 12-18 feet during low-light hours on Chisago, South Center and North Center lakes.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinty
Crappies and sunnies are biting in the shallow weeds of Peltier, Centerville and White Bear lakes. Bucktails have triggered a few muskies on White Bear Lake. Look to the Prescott area on the St. Croix River for walleyes and sauger. Bass and northern pike seem to be active on most area lakes, with Big Marine producing the largest fish.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, crankbaits and live-bait rigs are producing walleyes in 15-20 feet of water, especially at the Bay City and Maiden Rock flats of Lake Pepin. The wing dams near Wabasha on the Mississippi River are producing smallmouth bass. For panfish, hit the back channel bridge on the Wisconsin side of the river.
Faribault
A jig and leech combination is producing a lot of walleyes at the 12- to 16-foot weedlines of Shields, Mazaska and French lakes. Sunfish are shallow and active on most area lakes. The weedlines of Hunt, Cedar and Mazaska lakes are giving up northern pike. Cedar and Shields lakes have been good for lots of bass.
Waterville
Sucker minnows under a float are producing northern pike in 8 feet of water on Sakatah Lake. Anglers using a slow presentation are taking walleyes on leeches worked in 20 feet of water on Sakatah Lake. Sunfish are coming from the channel areas located between Sakatah, Tetonka and Big Jefferson lakes. Look for crappies in the shallows of Lake Francis, and under the Highway 13 bridge on Sakatah Lake.
Mankato
Rattle traps, and jig and leech combinations are producing walleyes at the weed edges of Madison Lake. Lake Washington is giving up walleyes on lindy rigs and leeches in 12-15 feet of water. Panfish are active in the shallows of most area lakes, with Washington and Madison lakes producing the larger fish. For bass, hit German, Madison and Washington lakes.
Fairmont
Crappies and bluegills are hitting in the channels of lakes George, Amber, Fox, Hall and Budd. An evening walleye bite is being reported on Fox Lake in 14-18 feet of water. Bass are active on most area lakes, with the largest fish coming from Budd and Sissiton lakes.
Ortonville
On Big Stone Lake, crankbaits are producing walleyes in 14 feet of water at Mallard Point and Hartford Beach. A jig and minnow combination pitched into the Fish Creek area has also been productive. A shallow walleye bite is being reported during morning and evening hours when using minnows on Lake Traverse. For crappies, work the shallows of Long Tom and Artichoke lakes.
Willmar
Sunfish are coming from the docks and shallow sand areas of most area lakes. Look for walleyes in less than 10 feet of water on Lillian, Ringo and Big Kandiyohi lakes. Walleyes are hitting leeches and crawlers worked in depths of 20-30 feet on Green Lake, as well as in 15-20 feet of water on Eagle Lake. Florida, Nest and Andrew lakes are also giving up a few walleyes. Good-sized northern pike are active on Long Lake. Bass seem to be active on all area lakes.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
