Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update, May 29, 2014 Beautiful weather and fine fishing make this the time to hit the water! Minnows remain the best bet for walleyes, but leeches and crawlers are beginning to turn more fish. Continue to work the shallows during lowlight hours, heading deeper during midday hours.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2014/2015 Fishing Season for most inland waters are as follows: walleyes, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; muskie, June 7. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Basics web page for the most current information.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake fishing has been great. The bays have been warming nicely, and there have been active walleye, smallmouth bass and crappies in most of the bays. Jigging with a minnow has been best. Walleyes are starting to move out to deeper waters, where trolling a spinner rig is working a bit better. There have also been some good reports on the northern pike bite around Black and Cranberry bays. Rainy River walleye fishing has also been very good. The best bet is to slowly troll a shiner minnow in the deeper bends of the river or below the deeper holes. 800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Lake Kabetogama waters range from 44 degrees up to 60 degrees during afternoon hours in the shallow bays. The shallow water bite remains great since suckers, white fish and tulibees continue to spawn, attracting the abundant gamefish. Anglers are having the most success in the shallows when using shiners and small minnows—expect to attract some pelicans as well! Walleye anglers are doing best in shallower depths during early morning and early to late evening hours. Look for soft bottom, sand and gravel bars nearest to deep water drop-offs where baitfish are lingering. During midday hours, check out some of the traditional early to mid-summer reefs, where depths of 28-35 feet are giving up fish. Areas to consider include Nashata Point to Marker 38, Martin Islands, and Cuculus since these have good structure and reefs. Northern pike remain aggressive on the shallow shorelines where they are enjoying the sucker spawn. For the most action, use live bait, husky jerks or spoons. The smallmouth bass bite should heat up now that warm temperatures have become the norm. The best bait choices are leeches and crawlers for the shallower fish, and jig and minnow combinations for the deeper water fish. For some great action, slip bobber fish with small sucker minnows at the Three Sisters, the Grassy Island group, and either side of Cutover. El Bay on Cutover Island should offer some really great fishing when the wind blows from the south. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Fishing action has heated, with lots of smaller eating-size walleyes and trophy-size fish measuring more than 30 inches coming from Ely’s pristine waters. Minnows have been the most effective, but leeches and crawlers on either jigs or spinners are a close second. Northern pike have been smashing spoons and spinnerbaits worked along the emergent weed edges and rocky points. Some lake trout have succumbed to ciscoes fished right on the bottom, along with trolled spoons pulled through depths of 20-3 feet. The action has and should continue to steadily increase as young of the year baitfish become more plentiful in the warming waters. Crappie action has been slow, but should also heat up as temperatures rise. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Anglers are having lots of success, especially with the northern pike. For the most action, cast red and white spoons. Cascade Lake, between Grand Marais and Lutsen, is giving up plenty of good size northern pike in 15-25 feet of water. Poplar Lake, located in the mid Gunflint Trail area, is also producing lots of hungry northerns. The walleye bite has been a bit slower, but fish are being reported by anglers fishing closer to shore, near the warming weedlines and sunny banks. Two Island Lake, a shallow and rocky lake just north of Grand Marais, has given up some nice keepers to anglers using minnows and leeches. Live bait seems to be the ticket in grabbing the walleyes until the water gets a bit warmer. Clear water rivers are giving up trout, with steelhead coming from the mouths of the rivers now that the spring water flow is not as swift. Put on your waders and cast toward Lake Superior’s shoreline for some good sized Kamloop as well. One lucky river angler brought in a 6-pound Kamloop when fishing Kadunce River, located between Grand Marais and Hovland, right off Highway 61.
www.visitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais - Lake Superior
Over the Memorial Day weekend, rivers along the Lower Shore were at normal flows and water conditions were clear. Water temperatures were in the mid to upper-50s in the mornings and into the 60s in the afternoons. There was very little angling activity and interviewed anglers caught 5 Kamloops, 1 steelhead, and 6 brook trout. Along the Middle Shore, water levels were falling quickly towards normal levels, with water temperatures climbing into the 60s in the afternoons. Angling pressure was extremely light and interviewed anglers caught 4 steelhead and 4 suckers. Along the Upper Shore, flows were dropping in the large rivers while the smaller rivers held normal to low flows. Water temperatures were high 50s in the mornings and up to 64 degrees in the afternoons. There was a fair amount of angling activity on the Upper Shore, and interviewed anglers reported slow fishing, landing 13 steelhead and 6 brook trout. Trap totals through May 27 were 270 steelhead and 20 Kamloops at the Knife River, and 237 Kamloops and 15 steelhead at the French River. The Lower Shore and Middle Shore creel surveys have ended, and the Lower Shore summer creel will begin later this week. For information on smelting, refer to the "Smelt on the North Shore" fact sheet.
Grand Rapids
Just like the temperatures, fishing has really heated up and multi-species fishing is in full swing. Bass season is open and both largemouth and smallmouth bass are very active in the most area waters, and especially in Pokegama Lake which is considered to be one of the best bass lakes in Minnesota. Panfish are in a pre-spawn mode and can be found in or near the shallow water pencil reeds in most Grand Rapids lakes. Anglers taking the most panfish are using a slip bobber and a small jig combined with a small minnow or soft plastic. Spawning male crappies are very dark, so don’t be surprised, thinking you’ve found a new species! Walleye action remains very strong, and now that the surface water temperatures have jumped into the high 60s many eating-size fish are also being taken. Expect the perch and northern pike to also be aggressive. For trophy walleyes and northern pike, Pokegama Lake is probably the best bet, with consistent number also coming from the larger lakes such as Bowstring, Sand, Jessie, Big Winnie and Big Cut Foot Sioux. A jig or rig with a minnow has been the best presentation. For fast northern pike fishing, Ball Club Lake is probably your best bet. The next couple of weeks will be especially good to anglers! 800-335-9740;
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Great fishing continues on Lake of the Woods, with good numbers of eating-size, slot, and trophy fish being taken. On the South Shore, depths of 12 – 19 feet have been productive, especially at Twin Islands, Long Point, The Fields, Zippel Bay Reef, in front of Morris Point Gap and Lighthouse Gap, and in front of Pine Island. When fishing Four Mile Bay, anchored up and jig with a frozen shiner; anglers are also having some success using crawler harnesses, especially in gold. The Rainy River is giving up good numbers to anglers using jigs in depths of 7 – 15 feet. Up at the Northwest Angle, fishing has been incredible. Anglers are having the most success when fishing depths of 5-33 feet using a jig and minnow combination. Crankbaits are also working for some anglers. Jumbo perch and northern pike have been mixed in. In Minnesota, try the Flag Island flats, Little Oak Island, and the red buoys by Sportsman's and Angle Inn. The water temperatures are nearing 48 degrees in some locations. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comCass Lake
Fishing was very good on Cass Lake over the Memorial Day weekend. Anglers had the most success using a jig and shiner in 6-8 feet of water, especially near the mouths of the rivers. Anglers are now pulling fish from depths of 10-15 feet following a couple of warm days. 800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
The walleye bite is heating up on Lake Winnibigoshish. Walleye and perch have completed their spawn, and are holding in depths of 10-16 feet at the first main shore drops. During late e evening hours, these fish will move shallower to feed. Shiners and jigs have been the best bet. Drift with the wind if possible, but if calm, troll at roughly 1.2 mph. Perch have also been active in these locations, but anglers should try to stay on top of the schools of fish. Water temperatures are rising fast, with most waters now in the mid to upper 50s. If the jig and minnow combination action slows, switch to crawlers or leeches since this approach is picking up steam. Crappies are in the midst of their spawn, but sunfish are pre-spawn and biting well.
www.lakewinnie.netHackensack
Fishing was great for most anglers last weekend. The lakes were full of boats, but once you got away from the crowds, fishing was a blast. With all of the sunshine, walleye were a bit tougher to find, however, plenty were caught. Crappies and bass were extremely active in the shallows. Leech Lake fishing remained steady, with fish hitting shiners and crawlers, along with many other presentations. Most of the fish were still schooling, and holding in less than 12 feet of water. Anglers finding a school were able to stay put and pull in fish after fish. During late evening hours, trolled crankbaits was the way to go. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are either in the midst of their spawn or just about to begin. They are very shallow and very aggressive. Bouncing the bottom with tubes, jigs, and dropshot rigs has been very effective, with lots of large fish being reported. The fishing should remain great for the next couple of weeks. Since they are spawning, try not to play them too long and get the large females back in the water as quickly as possible. Crappie fishing has been amazing, with fish starting to stack up in the shallows. Great reports are coming from Ten Mile, Woman, Webb, Pleasant, and Leech lakes. Sunfish are getting ready to move into the shallows to spawn, and lots of large gills are expected this week and weekend. 800-279-6932
Detroit Lakes
Last weekend’s beautiful weather brought more anglers to the Detroit Lakes area than have been seen in years. Walleye anglers are taking the most fish on jigs and rigs tipped with shiners. Depths of 6-11 feet have been best, but if the water is flat and the sun is shining, fish 13-18 feet of water. Some walleyes are also being taken on leeches and crawlers. Last weekend’s bass opener was great in very shallow waters. These fish were shallow that anglers were sight fishing. Northern pike are very active, hitting minnows and crankbaits worked in 6-12 feet of water. The shiner bite is expected to remain good for at least another week. Panfish anglers are doing well at the shallow weeds, and crappie anglers remain in their spawning areas. Water temperatures have climbed into the high 50’s and low 60’s on some lakes. Most of the area lakes are producing fish. Please note that Pelican Lake will be the site of a large walleye tournament this coming weekend, so anglers may want to choose another lake. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
June is almost here and the fish are really biting! Walleyes continue to come from the creeks and rivers, as well as along the shallow weedlines. Anglers are having lots of success when using jigs and minnows. Crappies and sunnies have been most active in the shallows and at the weeds in the bays; for the most fish, hit depths of 6-8 feet using leeches, worms, and crappie minnows. Northern pike fishing in Otter Tail Lakes Country has been superb this week, with fish coming from roughly 20 feet of water near the weedlines. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs remains cold, with surface water temperatures just beginning to creep into the low 50's. A few more sunny days will bring water temperatures into a more normal range. Fishing has been inconsistent, with some anglers reporting excellent action, and others struggling to catch even a few fish. Much of the bite remains along the north end of the lake in 14-18 feet of water, although some fish have come from the bottom of the breaks too. If the north end isn't an option, check out Sherman's Point, Vineland or Big Point where anglers have had some good success. Minnows are still the best bait, with leeches and crawlers are beginning to turn more fish. Chartreuse/orange and firetiger have been the top colors/patterns colors, but hold using spinners just a bit longer until the water warms a few more degrees. The evening slip bobber and leech bite is short, but worth the time. Be sure not to "oversize" your leeches this time of year. Northern pike action has been good for anglers using suckers in the south end bays in less than 10 feet of water. Bass action has been hit-or-miss too as not all of the bass have moved shallow yet. The best depths have ranged from 2-10 feet. Keep the bait small and the tackle simple, and present it slowly until the water warms a bit more. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
What a great Memorial Weekend of fishing in the Willmar Lakes Area! Anglers reported excellent sunfish and crappie action, especially on Eagle, Florida, Andrew, Nest, Norway and Games lakes. The fish were moving towards the docks as they prepared to spawn, and they were hungry. The walleyes weren’t quite as active, but still being pulled from Green, Eagle, Long, Solomon and Ringo lakes. Spot tail shiner minnows were the bait of choice, producing the majority of walleyes. Most of area lakes are hovering just above 60 degrees so the walleye bite should continually improve. This even warmer week should really encourage the bite, so anglers will want to make room in their freezers! 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Excelsior - Lake Minnetonka
Fishing on Lake Minnetonka was great this past weekend. Water temperatures were nearing the mid-60s, which is slightly lower than average for this time of year. Bass have moved up into the shallows and are starting to bed. Crappies also remain in the shallows, so you can catch some pre-spawn bass and crappies using minnows in the shallows. Northern pike are active at the points and weedy flats. Spinnerbaits and jerkbaits have been working well for the northerns. 952-474-6461;
www.excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.comWaconia -Lake Waconia
On Lake Waconia, panfish and bass are staging in the shallows, preparing to spawn. Anglers are taking the majority of fish from 3-5 foot depths, especially in areas with sandy bottoms. Most mentioned locations include the west side, the northeast corner at Reinke’s Bay, and along the south shoreline just off the docks. Waxworms, small leeches and nightcrawlers are producing the most fish. Walleyes anglers are taking fish throughout the day, however, the best action is at sunrise and sunset. The east side near the Clay Banks, the southeast side near the swimming beach, and Harm’s Point have all been good locations. Anglers are taking most of their fish using fatheads, shiners and leeches in 4-10 feet of water. 952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of May 29, conditions remained clear and normal for most area rivers and streams; water conditions were almost "too good!" Caddis of several species were coming off the water. There had been no reports of Light Hendricksons, but these were expected soon. Some anglers were having success using caddis pupa patterns. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
The activity last week and over Memorial Day weekend was excellent on Big Stone Lake, with a lot of anglers and water recreation folks out enjoying the fine fishing and beautiful weather. While daytime fishing could be a challenge, morning hours and late afternoon to just after dark offered lots of action. Shoreline anglers reported the most action, especially when working their favorite docks until well after dark. A minnow or two on a crappie rig seemed to be the most mentioned method, however, pitching jigs and casting crankbaits also turned fish. Anglers fishing from boat had the most success when trolling with a crankbait, or bottom bouncing spinner combinations. Nightcrawlers seemed to be the bait of choice, followed closely by leeches. South end and far north end locations were best for limits, however some anglers said it was tough to find keeper-size fish under 20 inches in length. Earlier this week, surface water temperatures had warmed to 64 degrees and the weeds were starting to show up behind the islands and on the shorelines. Until these weeds fully develop, concentrate on either cloudy waters or search for areas where the wind creates a ripple on top of the water. Other species recently taken include silver bass, northern pike, perch, bullheads, and crappies. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
