Explore Minnesota Fishing Report, 5.17.07
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Fishing has been excellent. The walleyes are hitting rainbow chubs worked in 8-10 feet of water on Fish Lake. Island Lake is producing a few walleyes in depths of 16-19 feet of water. All lakes are giving up lots of northern pike on shiner minnows. Water levels are down roughly 3 feet on the St. Louis River, causing the walleyes to stack up in the channels. Anglers are taking the most fish on crawler rigs, with heavy jigs tipped with a minnow working best in the faster waters. Large crappies have been active in 1-2 feet of water on Fish Lake. On Lake Superior, the cohos are biting around the point, with a few browns and lakers being taken as well. Try trolling silver-blue or chartreuse bombers, rebels and rapalas for the most fish. Some loopers continue to be pulled from the rivers in the Arrowhead region, with the Minnesota Brule River producing some really nice fish.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, fishing has been sporadic with the fluctuation in temperature and spring weather. During last weekend's opener, anglers found walleyes around the bay edges using rapala-style lures trolled from the shallows into deeper waters. Northern pike were active, and hitting flashy lures such as daredevils. The largemouth and smallmouth bass seasons are continuous on Canadian border waters, and anglers are doing well on the Rainy River just below the dam at International Falls. Smallmouth bass action is expected to improve as water temperatures warm in the shallow bays with dark bottoms. Walleyes are active at the confluence of the Littlefork River near Kuttes Landing at Pelland. For river walleyes, try jigging a small minnow. Walleye fishing is expected to quickly improve rapidly below the Ranier Rapids, which is easily accessible from the Pat Roche Access located just east of International Falls.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
Fishing was excellent during last weekend's opener on Lake of the Woods. Numbers of walleyes were taken near Four Mile Bay and the Lighthouse Gap. The largest fish were found in 8-12 feet of water in the Zippel Bay area using minnows, leeches and crawlers. Some anglers had success using pink 3/4-ounce jigs in depths of 14-18 feet of water. The Rainy River gave up some nice walleyes and northern pike during the opener. Clementson Rapids and the Silver Creek area were the better locations. Although the water level remains low, anglers are still able to launch a boat at all of the public accesses. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, fishing was also excellent. The hot spot was around Oak Island in 14-17 feet of water, with orange spinners and white or gold jigs producing fish. Reports included a lot of 28- to 30-inch walleyes, along with some nice smallmouth bass.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in roughly 10-16 feet of water, especially during morning hours. For the most fish, use a white or chartreuse jig. The panfish bite has been good on most area lakes. On Upper Red Lake, many limits of walleyes were taken last weekend. The crappie bite was also good. The best approach is to work the first break found in 3-5 feet of water--stay on the move until you locate fish.
Bemidji
The walleyes were biting on Plantagenet, Big Wolf, Cass and Bemidji lakes during last weekend's opener. Anglers had the most success working the bullrushes using long shank jigs and shiners. Limits were taken from Lake Bemidji by anglers using crankbaits. The mornings tended to be better then the evenings. Blackduck River produced lots of fish as well. Northern pike action has been good throughout the area. The largest pike weighed in at roughly 10 pounds. Cass and Kitchy lakes were the hot spots. And, trout action was fairly good on Newman Lake.
Bena
Cutfoot Sioux was a hot spot as usual during the fishing opener. The shiners have moved into the shallows, and the walleyes are right behind. Several anglers did well using leeches and slip bobbers.
Walker
On Leech Lake, fishing was very good during the Governor's Fishing Opener. Walleye anglers did well early in the day through midday. Limits were taken at Raven's, Stony, Pine, Ottertail and Mallard points, as well as at The Dishes and Haubrich's Bay. A green fireball jig and shiner worked in depths of 6-10 feet was the best approach. Lots of slot fish were also reported.
Hackensack
Lots of walleye anglers reported success last weekend on Birch, Pine Mountain and Pleasant lakes. The majority were using jigs tipped with shiners, redtails or fatheads, however a few did well using lindy rigs. Leeches also worked well for some anglers. Crappies remain active on most area lakes, with many found suspended in 12-15 foot depths. Water temperatures are mostly in the 60’s.
Park Rapids
All area lakes produced walleyes over fishing opener weekend. Long Lake produced fish in roughly 18 feet of water on leeches. Big Sand Lake gave up walleyes on leeches worked in depths of 25 feet of water. Island and Potato Lake walleyes came from 8-14 foot depths on shiner minnows. Northern pike anglers had success casting spoons in roughly 6 feet of water on Fishhook Lake. Crappies remain very active on the Crow Wing Chain.
Battle Lake
Walleye anglers did fairly well on Ottertail Lake during the fishing opener. Fish were found in 8-15 feet of water during the day, and slightly shallower at night. Silver Lake produced most of the larger fish, but the numbers weren’t quite as good. The majority of fish were found in depths of 10-16 feet of water. Other walleye lakes to check out include Rush and Big Pine. Shiners minnows were the most productive, however a few anglers did well using leeches on Ottertail Lake. Crappies continue to bite on West Battle and Clitheral lakes. Sunfish are active on Deer Lake.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, fishing reports were very good last weekend, with lots of walleyes measuring 16- to 18-inches coming in. The best approach was a jig and shiner combination. Moon Bar, the Rock Pile, and Johnson's Bar produced the majority of fish, especially in 12-15 feet of water. Northern pike were also active, with lots of fish in the two-pound range pulled from the shallow weedlines on large minnows.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye action has been great in front of the high school and at the first small point on the south side. The best approach was a plain lindy rig tipped with a fathead, shiner or leech worked in 15-20 foot depths. Lake Mary gave up both walleyes and northern pike. Oscar Lake also produced some nice walleyes. Lots of sunfish are being pulled from the Starbuck Marina, however very few are large enough to keep.
Nisswa
Fishing was fair to good during last weekend's fishing opener. The walleye action started out well on Saturday morning, but slowed as the mid-morning sun rose higher. Area guides reported good results on Pelican, Gull, Round, and the Whitefish Chain. Fishing improved on Sunday when the wind picked up, and lots of walleyes were pulled from the developing weed edges in 13-15 feet of water on Gull Lake. A lindy rig or jig tipped with a spot-tail shiner was the key to success. The crappies are starting to move out of the shallows, however there should be a few stragglers hanging in the reedbeds for the next few days. The bluegills and bass will take over the shallows after the crappies have gone. Northern pike action was very good over opening weekend, with walleye anglers reporting lots of pike striking their lines.
Crosslake
On Crosslake, walleye anglers did well below the dam using jig and shiner combinations last weekend. Other area lakes produced walleyes on jigs tipped with minnows worked in depths of 18-20 feet of water. The best time to fish is right at dawn or during evening hours. The panfish bite remains very good in the shallows.
Crosby
Trout fishing has been spectacular, with limits being common. Pennington, Sagamore, Manual, and Huntington have been best for numbers of nice-size fish. Northern pike have been active on most area lakes, especially on Rabbit, Edward and Clearwater lakes. For the most fish, work the deeper side of the weed edges. This weekend, expect to find walleyes early in the morning around Minister’s Point on Serpent Lake. There should also be a good evening bite on the Crosby end of the lake in front of Pumphouse Point and City Hall. Shiners will probably remain the bait of choice for these fish. Rabbit Lake was also productive during early morning hours, with the majority of fish coming from 10-15 feet of water. The Mississippi River would be another hot spot for walleye anglers to consider this weekend, however be prepared to have to dodge some boulders. Crappie action has been good, especially on Clinker, Turner, and Little Rabbit lakes.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, fishing was excellent during last weekend's fishing opener. Walleye anglers fishing the rocks did well using a slip bobber and leech during morning and early evening hours. At the north end sand, trolling or drifting through 20-25 feet of water with lindy rigs and shiners produced limits early in the morning and throughout the day. Other hot spots include Hunters, Lakeside, Fishers and Agate Reef. The water temperature last weekend was roughly 52-degrees.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Last weekend's fishing opener resulted in lots of walleyes, with anglers taking limits from the Mississippi River near Little Falls, as well as on Little Birch Lake. The best approach was bobber fishing in 15 feet of water with a spot-tail shiner on Little Birch, and a jig and minnow combination on the river. Some anglers did well trolling with leeches. The river bite should remain good for the next few weeks. On Cedar Lake, anglers reported a good night bite in 3-4 feet of water when trolling rapalas. Northern pike hit sucker minnows on Big Swan Lake. Sunnies and crappies were biting on Moose, Little Birch and Big Swan Lakes.
St. Cloud
Walleyes are biting on Koronis, Grand and Big Birch lakes, with fish found in depths of 9-12 feet of water using leeches and minnows. Sunfish and crappie anglers are having mixed results, and it seems that the crappies have not started to bite on some area lakes. The Mississippi River is giving up walleyes, catfish and crappies.
Annandale
Anglers caught lots of northern pike on Clearwater Lake during last weekend's opener. The best approach was a minnow worked in roughly 10 feet of water along the weedline drop-offs. The walleye bite was fair, with most of the fish coming from 8-19 feet of water at the humps and narrows on shiners under slip bobbers. The walleye bite should be good by Memorial Day Weekend. Lots of nice-size sunnies are being taken from the Greenshed and Glenwood bays. A few crappies are being pulled from the humps on the east end. The surface water temperature currently ranges from 65- to 69-degrees.
Anoka
The water temperatures are good on most area waters, and the bass and crappies have nearly completed spawning. The opener on the Mississippi River was a success, with lots of walleyes being taken. Catfish action has also been good on the Mississippi River. Quite a few walleyes were also pulled from Briggs, Crooked, Buffalo and Beebe lakes.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the walleyes were found in less then 12 feet of water during last weekend's fishing opener. Anglers had the most success using a jig and minnow, early and late in the day, especially in the big bays. Panfish continue to bite in the smaller bays on the west side. For the most fish, hit Maxwell and North Arm. For northern pike, try trolling shad raps in depths of 12-15 feet. Water temperatures in the bays are roughly 70 degrees.
Forest Lake
Fishing was good last weekend, with walleyes taken from Clear, Forest and North South Center lakes. Slip bobbers and leeches seemed to be the best bet. Panfish were active on North South Center and Forest lakes.
Oakdale/Stillwater
A few walleyes were pulled from Big Marine and Big Carnelian lakes last weekend. The St. Croix River gave up fish all weekend in the channel at Hudson, with 30-40 boats fishing for walleyes each day. Lots of white bass were also reported. For panfish, hit Lake Phalen using a fly rod and cast above the emerging weeds.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, the walleyes are biting at the north end of Lake Pepin. For the most fish, try pulling plugs or a jig and minnow combination. Panfish continue to bite in the backwaters, with beetle spins working best. Smallmouth bass are starting to bite in the rip rap on Lake Pepin. Anglers are having the most success casting rattle traps up on the rocks.
Waterville
Anglers fishing Elysian and Albert Lea lakes last weekend were disappointed. Walleyes had been reported on these lakes just a few days before opener, but seemed to "disappear" over the fishing opener. Lake Tetonka anglers, however, reported a lot of walleye and northern pike action. The walleyes were taken on crawler rigs tipped with a jumbo leech. Northern pike responded best to spinners. Gorman, Sabre and Horseshoe lakes were other walleye hot spots. White bass are starting to make their run on the creek behind the store on Sakatah Lake. Bullheads are also being reported, with many making their way to local smokers.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
