Minnesota Fishing Report Thursday, May 14

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Minnesota Fishing Report Thursday, May 14

The opening dates for the 2009/2010 fishing season for Minnesota’s inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 9; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 23; and muskie, June 6. 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.

In general, fishing was good throughout the state during last weekend’s fishing opener. Most species of fish were found lingering in the shallow waters that warm more quickly. Walleye fishing should continue to improve as the water temperatures rise and the walleyes have a little more time to recover from the spawn. At present, most lakes and rivers remain cold - please be safe and wear a floatation device.

Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

Rainy Lake anglers took good numbers of walleyes over opening weekend, with good reports of large northern pike and crappies as well. While walleye action was probably best in the rapid waters near Kettle Falls, fish were also hitting in Sand Bay and near the American Narrows. The best approach was a jig and minnow combination. Large pike continue to be pulled from the shallow edges of the bays. Both crappies and walleyes are hitting in the main channel of the Rat Root River and right through Black Bay. Walleyes can also be found at Ranier Rapids, with good reports coming from above and below the rapids as well. On the Rainy River, walleye anglers are taking fish below the dam at International Falls, and downstream to the golf course vicinity. The stretch near the confluence of the Littlefork River is another good spot to check out. For river walleyes, use a minnow on a spinner rig while drifting with the current. For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Opening day was incredible on Lake Kabetogama despite the light snow, sleet and cold rain! And, by Sunday, conditions changed and anglers enjoyed a beautiful, sunny mid-50’s day of fishing. On Saturday, anglers were greeted with a strong and continuous bite. The best walleye technique was a jig and minnow combination, with a slip-bobber and minnow coming in second. Some flowages that attracted bait fish gave up a mixed bag of various-sized walleyes and northern pike. Many anglers complained of only catching big fish, however while this is not a bad problem to have it is to be expected when fishing the shallows over opening weekend. In the deeper waters, anglers had the most success using a rainbow chub and a slow presentation. On the northwest end of the lake, Sugarbush, Pin Cherry and Harris islands were the better locations. On the east end of Kabetogama, Sunday anglers had a great day near the Martin Islands, and in Mud and Daily bays. Don’t forget that Kabetogama has been picked to host of the 2010 Governor’s Fishing Opener! For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Crane Lake

The walleye opener on May 9th was extremely successful. The high water levels in the rivers brought warm water into Crane Lake which had been ice-free since April 24th. Fishing success was mostly in the current and moving water. Large walleyes were common, with many fish measuring over 20-inches. The protected slot size of 17- to 28-inches has paid off considering the large number and size of fish being caught and released. The winning combination was a jig and rainbow minnow, along with a a slow presentation. The bass season opened, and several schools of bass offered anglers a lot of excitement, with many fish measuring 17- to 20-inches. Large 34- to 40-inch northern pike added to the exciting times last weekend. And, as usual, the fishing will only get better as the water temperatures warm! To learn more, dial 1-800-362-7405, or visit www.visitcranelake.com

Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion

To find out where the fish are biting, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

The walleye opener kicked into high gear right from the start. Reports of a successful fishing opener are coming from throughout the Ely vicinity, and success has been the rule rather than the exception. From Fall and White Iron lakes all the way into the Boundary Waters, walleye anglers are having a field day using jig and minnow combinations. There has not, however, been any consistency to the best depth, with fish coming from 6-30 feet of water. Some very large northern pike are also being taken from the White Iron Chain Of Lakes on sucker minnows under a bobber. Smallmouth bass activity was also excellent, with anglers catching fish on crankbaits and leeches worked in depths of 9-15 feet on Eagles Nest and Burntside lakes. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

Last weekend’s fishing opener on the St. Louis River was very good on Saturday, with lots of 20- to 29-inch fish caught and released. Action slowed somewhat on Sunday, however even larger fish were reported, including 24-, 26- and 31-inch walleyes! The best approach was a standard jig tipped with a large rainbow chub worked at the rock to gravel transitions early and late in the day - a slow presentation was key. Lake Superior did not receive a lot of fishing pressure over opening weekend, with water temperatures running 40- to 45-degrees along the South and North shores. Lake trout are heading for deeper water, and anglers report some success using green and chartreuse spinner and glow rigs. On Island Lake, the crappie bite was hot, especially for anglers using a slip bobber and small minnow. Whatever body of water you venture out onto please be safe and remember to wear a flotation device. To learn more, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or check out www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Opening weekend was spectacular at Lake of the Woods! Good numbers of large fish and plenty of keepers were netted, and nearly all anglers took their limit. It was not uncommon for an angler to land several 25- to 32-inch walleye within an hour. Zippel Bay, Morris Point Gap, Lighthouse Gap, and Four Mile Bay were some of the preferred and top producers, but even the river was giving up numbers of good-sized fish. Further east on the river, anglers were also catching nice limits of eating-sized walleyes, as well as more huge fish. If the opener is any indication of what’s to come it should be an excellent season! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

The 2009 Fishing Opener was cold and wet throughout the area, but anglers that stuck with it caught fish. The surface water temperatures were in the high 40s to low 50s on most lakes, which is still a bit cold. Walleye fishing should continue to improve as the water temperatures rise and the walleyes have a little more time to recover from the spawn. Over the opener, some of the best lakes included Upper Red, Blackduck, Winnibigoshish, Andrusia, Kitchi and Irving. Most anglers had success using jigs tipped with a shiner minnow. The preferred depths on Upper Red and Winnibigoshish were 5-8 feet, and depths of 8-12 feet were best on most of the other area lakes. Anglers were also catching good numbers of northern pike while fishing for walleyes. Fishing should continue to improve for all species of fish as water temperatures rise. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Cass Lake

For information on the best fishing techniques and areas to check out, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Walker/Leech Lake

Anglers had a good opener on Leech Lake. Most fish were caught in 5-10 feet of water by anglers using jigs and shiners. Some also did well using lindy rigs and leeches. At Pine Point, a 26 1/2-inch fish came in on Saturday, and a nice 28-inch fish was pulled from Stony Point on Sunday. Plenty of eating-sized fish were also taken. Many of the points on the west side of Leech Lake had a fantastic bite, including Pine, Duck, Stony, and Ottertail. Anglers reported that the best presentation was a 1/8-ounce chartreuse jig tipped with a shiner or fathead minnow. One very successful jig, the 1/8-ounce Oddball, can be found at local bait shops in downtown Walker. The jumbo perch were active, and provided a great fish fry for one group of anglers on Sunday night. Leech Lake is off to a great start, and action is expected to continue to improve! To learn more, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit www.leech-lake.com

Park Rapids

Anglers had varied success over the 2009 Opener. While northern pike and panfish were very active, walleye activity was limited due to cool water temperatures. Anglers having the most success were those casting, jigging and trying different methods in the shallows, with some fish coming from only a couple feet of water. Many fish are seeking out the warmer shallow water regions where schools of forage are abundant. Minnows were very effective, but nightcrawlers and leeches also fooled the walleyes. Anglers catching fish used various techniques including fireball jigs, roach rigs, and slip bobbers. Each lake differed in terms of activity. Northern pike were very active in the same shallow water regions, and walleye anglers had a lot fun with the minnow-hungry pike. Anglers who specifically targeted pike had good success using reed-runner spinnerbaits since the flash of the spinner blades attracted fish from a distance and the bulky skirt gave northerns an easy target. Panfish were also quite active over the weekend, with anglers reporting good numbers of nice-sized crappies and bluegills. Although the shallow backwater bays still offer great bluegill and crappie action, the points and newly developing weedpiles on the outside edges of these bays have also been good. As anglers fished for walleyes, panfish and pike, many inadvertently reeled in largemouth and smallmouth bass. Please remember that these species are off limits until Saturday, May 23rd, and fish that have been caught should be gently released. For more information, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

On Lake Miltona, while fishing was somewhat slow, many anglers did do well in areas where their was current flowing in or out of the lake. The cabbage beds and areas near the cattails were also productive. Many of the post-spawn walleyes are hungry and active, with more female walleyes soon to follow. Continue to check the shallow waters near the spawning areas, and use a very slow presentation. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a minnow in depths of 3-12 feet of water. If you locate green cabbage, you will almost certainly run into fish. Some anglers, however, did have success with the more aggressive fish by trolling crankbaits at roughly 2- to 3-miles per hour. To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Opening day was cold and breezy, with a few snowflakes falling on anglers as they launched their boats. Reports indicate that the walleye bite was a bit slow, but picked up as the waters warmed during the day. Lake water temperatures were in the high-40s to low-50s. Walleyes were being pulled from a variety of depths. The trend was for the best bite to be a bit deeper than normal during daylight hours in some lakes, with fish coming from depths of 16-20 feet on jig and shiner minnow combinations. Some anglers also had success using a simple slip sinker rig tipped with a minnow. Good northern pike action was reported on nearly all area lakes. These fish seemed to be extremely active at the weedlines, and were taking jig and minnow combinations, and slip sinkers and minnow rigs. Plugs and spoons also produced well. Crappies were the highlight for some anglers who found them in the shallow bays and channels, eagerly taking white or yellow 1/32-ounce feathered jigs tipped with small crappie minnows. This week’s fishing tip: Keep your line from twisting while jig fishing by tying a small barrel swivel roughly one foot above your jig - you’ll find your line twisting problems will virtually disappear! Expect the fishing action to really heat up as the water temperatures warm. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

As usual, a few parties did well, and the others were just happy to be out on the water again. The crappie action was outstanding throughout the weekend on most area lakes. The best approach was a northland firefly jig tipped with a minnow, or a jig and puddle jumper combination. Some large bluegills were pulled from the Gull Lake narrows on waxworms and lively leeches. The crappies and bluegills continue to pour into the shallows, making for some excellent fishing action. Walleye anglers had mixed results. Early morning anglers found success trolling small rapala lures in 4-6 feet of water. Other anglers had some success using shiner minnows or rainbow chubs on a jig or live bait rig in depths of 10-12 feet. The best producers were Pelican and Gull lakes. Fishing action should only improve - when the water warms just a couple of degrees there should be plenty of nice fish being reported. To learn more, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Opening weekend turned out to be a good one. The weather was tolerable for those that were prepared, and downright chilly for those that did not plan for temperatures in the 30’s. The walleyes were biting in numerous parts of the lake, and many anglers were on shore by Saturday afternoon enjoying a fish-fry. Shallow waters were best, especially due to the abundant cloud cover and cool water temperatures. Anglers fishing the south end of the lake had the most luck in the shallow reefs. This is typical for opening weekend since most die-hard anglers will stay in the same area and continue to fish as long as the walleyes are biting. Numerous reports of huge fish kept it exciting all weekend. Expect reports to get even better as the water temperatures rise. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

For information on which lakes are producing good-sized fish, as well as good numbers, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities vicinity

White Bear Lake

The Governor’s Fishing Opener was a great success, and everyone appeared to have an excellent time. The crappie bite had been great during the week, but seemed to slow with the cold front that hit at the same time as the opener. A few walleyes were reported, with the largest fish weighing 6-pounds 1-ounce. Most of the successful walleye anglers did best when using a leech in depths of 18-25 feet. And, the Governor’s fishing host took five walleyes early Monday morning - the fish are definitely out there! For more information, visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org, or dial 651/653-5122
Southern Minnesota

Lake City

The walleye/sauger bite on Lake Pepin is in full swing, with many fish being pulled from a variety of areas on the lake. Some of the better locations include Rileys, Bogus, Maple Springs, and Deer Island. The larger saugers seem to be holding a little deeper than what would be expected this time of year, and the nicest fish are coming out of 20-plus feet of water most days. Flat lines, lead core, and three way rigs have been best for putting fish in the boat. To learn more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Fairmont Area Chain Of Lakes

For information on where to locate fish and what techniques to use, dial 1-800-657-3280, or visit www.visitfairmontmn.com

“The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.”