Explore Minnesota Fishing Report May 31
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Fish Lake is giving up good numbers of walleyes to anglers using rigs and slip bobbers in 11-14 feet of water during the day, and in depths of 6-8 feet during evening hours. On Boulder Lake, anglers are taking fish using slip bobbers with leeches or minnows. On Island Lake, hit 20-22 foot depths using rainbow chubs. On the St. Louis River, the areas around Buoys 7 and 61 have been best for the most walleyes. The Spirit Island area is also giving up quite a few fish. Anglers are doing well at the Hallett Dock when bottom-bouncing large gold jigs in roughly 3-4 feet of water. The Lake Superior entry has been productive, with cohos found in waters are deep as 70 feet, roughly 30 feet down, using pink or chartreuse rapalas and spoons. A few steelhead are being taken further up the shore.
Ely
Anglers report that fishing is the best it's been for quite a while. Limits of walleyes are being taken from the dam spillway at Fall Lake, with some anglers needing to return for more bait one morning. While no trophy-sized fish have been reported, anglers are enjoying the multitude of eating-size fish. On the White Iron Chain of Lakes, numbers of large northern pike, measuring up to 45-inches, were recently reported. The walleye bite has also been good. And, Shagawa Lake is consistently giving up good numbers of walleyes.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, the shallow bays and island points continue to hold all species of fish. The baitfish are attracting fish to the windward shores. Many nice-size walleyes are being pulled from the shallows on live bait and lures. Harvest-size walleyes can occasionally be found in the shallows, however the majority of fish have relocated to depths of 30-38 feet. For the most fish, try a jig and leech, or a slip sinker rig with live bait to cover more structure and surface. Use a slow presentation for both the walleyes and sauger. Northern pike are aggressively hitting most presentations, however sucker minnows seem to be best. Smallmouth bass are hitting live bait and smaller #3 or #4 mepps spinners, especially at the gravel and rubble shorelines. On Lake Kabetogama, shallow water angling is best on the west end, while the east end and mid-Kabetogama are best for angling in deeper waters. Lake Namakan is giving up lots of harvest-size walleyes on live bait and artificials. For the most fish, hit the windblown structure, and the constricted gaps and waterways between the inlands.
International Falls
Walleye fishing has been very good on Rainy Lake and on the Rainy River. Many anglers have been heading east on the lake, and fishing Saginaw Bay, near Big Island, and around the Fox Islands. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a minnow or leech. The best depth depends on the current and wind. Crappie action has been picking up in Black Bay. The weedy areas around Cranberry Bay are holding some large northern pike. In the Rainy River, look for walleyes in the strong currents above and below the dam at International Falls.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, anglers using a minnow are taking walleyes from the South Shore when anchoring or jigging in 20-24 feet of water. A few trophy-size fish continue to be taken from the Lighthouse Gap, with anglers taking limits from the Morris Point Gap and Zippel Bay. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the hot spot remains around the rocks and reefs of Oak Island in 12-15 feet of water. For the most fish, use a minnow or crawler. The shallows in the bays are giving up some nice northern pike on spinners, spoons, and small mepps lures. Walleye fishing on the Rainy River is improving. Smallmouth bass continue to move into the river, with the larger fish soon to follow. Northern pike are hitting rapalas and daredevils.
Blackduck
The walleye bite on Blackduck Lake remains strong, with lots of limits being taken. Some anglers are also reporting success on Island and Gull lakes. Action on Upper Red Lake has slowed due to high winds, however fishing should improve once the weather stabilizes. The panfish bite has been fair--action should improve as the weather becomes more consistent and the fish move up onto their spawning beds.
Bemidji
The walleye bite remains good. While a jig and minnow combination continues to produce fish, leeches are now the bait of choice. Wolf, Cass and Bemidji lakes are the best bets for walleyes, with fish found scattered shallow to deep. The bass opener was fairly slow, mostly do to cooler temperatures. The trout bite on local trout lakes remains strong, with small spoons and powerbait taking the most fish.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, daily windy weather is resulting in on again, off again walleye action. While the waters remain cool, the best approach is a light jig tipped with a shiner or rainbow chub. Stony Point, The Three Sisters, Ravens and Little Stony points are giving up the most fish. The best depths have been 5-9 feet, with fish occasionally coming from 12-14 foot depths off The Highbanks. Once the weather turns warmer and more consistent, areas throughout Lake Winnibigoshish should become hot spots. Northern pike fishing has improved due to increased weed growth, and this should only continue. Panfish action should also improve as temperatures warm.
Hackensack
Crappies are hitting crappie minnows and waxworms worked in 4-6 feet of water, especially in the calmer waters. Walleyes are biting on Pleasant Lake, with gold jigs and fatheads working best. Northern pike are hitting jig and shiner combinations on Pleasant and Birch lakes. The Leech Lake walleye bite remains good. The trick seems to be a jig and shiner minnow worked in 12-16 feet of water at the points and breaks on the windy side of the lake. For other area lakes, try a fathead or leech on a small jig under a slip bobber at the weedlines. This has been a good way to catch walleyes during mid-day hours when the bite is otherwise slow. Last week, bass were hitting both crappie and walleye presentations. Bass action has been great. For the most fish, use a spinnerbait or plastic worm.
Park Rapids
Walleye action remains excellent on Potato Lake in 14-15 feet of water, with leeches and crawlers producing fish. Island and Big Sand lakes have also been good--for the most fish, hit depths of 20-21 feet. Fishhook Lake is giving up lots of northern pike in 9-10 foot depths on sucker minnows. Last weekend's bass opener went well on Fishhook Lake, with spinner baits cast up into the pencil reeds producing fish. Big Mantrap Lake is the best bet for a good crappie bite, especially in 8-10 feet of water. The sunnies continue to hit waxworms worked in 6-8 foot depths on the Crow Wing Chain.
Pelican Rapids
Anglers that ventured out into windy conditions last weekend took lots of fish. The largemouth bass were biting on Prairie and Lizzie lakes, with lots of smallies coming from Lake Lida. Walleye anglers did well on Pelican and Lida lakes. Sunnies could be found in the shallow weeds on Crystal and Franklin lakes.
Battle Lake
Last weekend's bass action was good. There wasn't a lot of topwater action, with most fish coming in on sinking presentations, or a jig and minnow worked in the weeds. Clitheral, Fiske, Stalker and South Turtle lakes were all good choices. The walleyes became more sluggish with last weekend's front. Anglers now report more action using leeches and crawlers. Lindy rigs worked in 10-22 feet of water on Ottertail Lake produced some fish. Walleye anglers report a good night bite on Battle Lake. Northern pike are hitting suckers along the weedlines on most area lakes. The sunnies and crappies have moved out of the bays and into deeper waters. Dead Lake was the hot spot for panfish last weekend.
Starbuck
The bass opener was exceptional on most area lakes, with spinners, and jumbo leeches under a bobber, working well. The walleye bite remains good on Lake Minnewaska. The best approach has been a spinner rig and crawler. Other good walleye lakes include Emily, Mary, Long and Oscar. Sunfish are very active, but the crappies remain hard to find.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, lots of good-size northern pike were taken over the weekend. The best approach has been to chuck a spinnerbait or spoon along the emerging pencil reed beds. Crow, Miller's and Two-Mile points all producing numbers of fish. Walleyes, measuring over 15-inches, remain elusive, with anglers having to sort through lots of fish to find a few keepers. Anglers having the most success bobber-fished large shiners and jumbo leeches at Moon Bar and at the big rock pile. Lindy-rigging also produced some nice-size walleyes in depths of 12-16 feet of water at Johnson Bar.
Brainerd
Fishing has been good, with fish coming from 10-27 feet of water on lakes such as Gull, Pelican, North Long, Round and Whitefish. Spot tail shiners and red tail chubs on a lindy rig has been the most effective presentation. Some nice walleyes, measuring between 22- and 27-inches, were recently caught and released. As always, wind is helpful when walleye fishing, and there have been quite a few windy days so far this spring. Northern pike, mostly on the small side, are also being reported. Bass are very active on area lakes.
Crosby
The crappies and bluegills have moved from their shallow feeding areas into deeper waters. The most consistent lakes have recently been Perry, Manhomen, Black and Clearwater. The majority of these fish have been caught on plastics. Please note that there is milfoil on Perry Lake this year--please check for weeds when leaving the lakes and empty your livewells. The bass opener was slow due to inclement weather. The best bass bite has been on the smaller area lakes, such as Turner, June and Horseshoe, including some of the local pits. For smallmouth bass, the Mississippi River has been best, however don’t overlook Serpent and Clearwater lakes. Walleye action has been sporadic. Anglers have recently had the most success on Serpent Lake during early to mid afternoon, and on Rabbit Lake during evening hours. The Mississippi River is also giving up a few fish, with most of these fish coming in on lindy rigs tipped with a crawler. Good numbers of trout continue to be taken, especially during early morning hours. For northern pike, check out June, Serpent or Edward lakes.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, limits of walleyes, as well as lots of large catch-and-release fish, were caught last weekend at the rocks and mud. On the rocks, the best approach was a a 1/32 ounce jig head tipped with a leech or crawler under a slip bobber. Also try fishing the shallower rock piles using lighted bobbers and leeches during evening hours--begin in 19 feet of water, and move to depths of 13 feet as the evening progresses. On the mud, slowly work the edges using inflated crawlers or leeches. Anglers trolling rigs on the north end sand continue to do well when working the breaks out to 22 feet of water. The sand/gravel area from Fishers to Lakeside has also been good during the day.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Fishing over the Memorial Day Weekend was good despite the high winds. Lots of walleyes were taken from Little and Big Birch lakes on rigs tipped with crawlers or shiners. Big Swan Lake, and Long Lake north of Bertram, gave up fish to anglers using lindy rigs with crawlers. And a good night bite was reported on Cedar Lake by anglers using rattling rapalas. The bass bite has been good on many area lakes, and especially on Cedar and Mound lakes. Sunnies and crappies are coming out of Moose and Swan lakes.
St. Cloud
The bass opener was good on Clearwater, Grand, Pearl and Little Rock lakes. The best approach was to drift the weed edges during the day using spinnerbaits in 10-16 feet of water. Sunnies have been active on Clearwater and Pearl lakes. Crappie action has been good on Julia, Sugar and Sylvia lakes. Mississippi River anglers are having success with the walleyes, crappies and smallmouth bass. For some great bass action, use sucker minnows on the river.
Anoka
The smallmouth opener started out slow, but soon became impressive on the Mississippi River near Anoka. Nice largemouth bass came out of Lake George, Crooked, Elk and Pelican lakes. Pelican Lake has been excellent, however it has not been easy to navigate due to lots of deadheads. Walleyes are biting on Buffalo, Centerville and Diamond lakes. Crappie anglers are doing well on Constance, George and Green lakes. For sunfish, hit Peltier and Linwood lakes.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass action has been excellent, with most presentations producing fish. The walleyes continue to bite during the day in 18-20 foot depths, and on the reefs at night. Numerous limits of 18- to 20-inch fish are being reported. The key has been to stay on the move until you locate fish. Anglers are having the most success drifting and trolling over the reef edges. And, lots of pre-season muskie follows have been reported. The muskie opener is expected to be a good one.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, anglers are finding walleyes in and around the weeds using fatheads on floating jig heads in 8-15 feet of water. A few anglers have had success dragging crawlers through depths of 15-18 feet. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows at the weed edges. The sunnies are starting to move into the shallows to make their beds--hit 6-8 feet of water using waxworms for the most fish. The bass bite has been best using 6-inch plastic worms inside the weedlines. For this weekend's muskie opener, fish on top of the weeds in roughly 12 feet of water.
Forest Lake
Forest, Green and North and South Center lakes were all producing walleyes last weekend. Jumbo leeches and shiners seemed to be the bait of choice. The crappies were also active, and hitting minnows and waxworms. Forest and Green lakes gave up some nice bass.
Oakdale/Stillwater
A good northern pike bite is being reported on Big Marine and White Bear Lakes. The bass bite has been best on White Bear and Big Carnelian lakes. Crappies are coming out of Big Carnelian, along with some walleyes. Smaller area lakes are producing lots of panfish, with School and Boot giving up some nice-size sunnies. Sauger, walleyes and white bass are being pulled from the St. Croix River between Kinny and Prescott. Anderson’s Bay has been good for a few large walleyes. Near the walkway in downtown Stillwater, anglers report taking some nice catfish, as well as some white bass on rooster tails.
Chisago City
Last weekend's bass opener was excellent, with anglers taking lots of fish. The weeds are starting to thicken up, and the walleyes can be found right in the middle of the weeds when bobber fishing. Sunfish Lake has been great for numbers of panfish.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, walleyes are being taken by anglers pulling plugs at the head of the wakes, and in depths of 12-18 feet of water around Long Point. The panfish are on their beds, and can be found at the Baypoint park landings. Northern pike are biting around the Russ River, with red eye spoons working best. For lots of bass and crappies, hit the Lake Pepin area rocks.
Waterville
Lakes Tetonka and Sakatah are expected to be hot spots this weekend. For numbers of walleyes, use minnow rigs. Also check out Gorman Lake. Watervillins are the best bet for northern pike. For crappies, use crappie minnows and panfish leeches. Clear Lake, near Waseca, may be best for crappie action, and recently produced lots of fish on minnows. Bass have been very active on most area lakes.
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"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
