The opening dates for the 2007/2008 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; and for muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
The smelt are starting to run, and should be good by this weekend. A few loopers and steelhead trout are being caught in front of the Gooseberry, Split Rock, Knife and French rivers on Lake Superior. A few are also being taken from within the Lester River. Fishing has been good on Lake Superior, with anglers doing well by casting from shore and trolling near shore. Lots of coho and lakers are being reported. Anglers are launching out of Two Harbors since ice remains at Duluth. Stick baits, bombers and rapalas have been working best.
International Falls,
Fishing on the Rainy River has been the best option recently, with northern pike and smallmouth bass being reported. The launches on the Rainy River are open both above and below the dam at International Falls--please note that water levels may be low, and do fluctuate. Try fishing in the deeper areas with current for the most bass, and along the weedy edges for northern pike. Some of the best fishing may be just below the dam. Anglers need to be aware that forest fire danger may be a concern due to continued drought conditions.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake Of The Woods, Zippel Bay Resort will host the 11th Annual Ice Out Pike Tournament, April 28 & 29. And on May 4 & 5, head to Sportsman's Lodge for their 1st Annual North Star Sturgeon Classic.
Blackduck
The smaller area lakes are opening up, and should be entirely open by this weekend.
Bemidji
The lakes are just starting to open up, with a few anglers already fishing from shore. The suckers are starting to run. A crappie tournament will be offered May 5.
Bena
The ice should be entirely off Lake Winnibigoshish within one week, and some of the smaller lakes should be free of ice by this weekend.
Hackensack
The ice is off the smaller lakes. This weekend, hit the shallow bays on the north side of area lakes for the most fish.
Park Rapids
The lakes have opened up. Panfish are starting to move into the shallows. Some anglers are having success shore fishing for crappies on Long Lake.
Pelican Rapids
Anglers are now shore fishing on area lakes. The best locations for sunnies and crappies have been the lake inlets. Area lakes should be free of ice by this weekend, and the shallow bays should start producing fish very soon.
Battle Lake
A few anglers ventured out last weekend, however the crappie bite was slow due to cold water temperatures. The water temperatures are warmer on the smaller area lakes, such as Molly, Bass and Elbow, as well as the bays on Clitheral Lake.
Brainerd
Anglers are doing well with the crappies and sunnies. There are quite a few sunnies being pulled from the shallows, with crappies starting to show up. Anglers fishing slightly deeper are finding more active crappies. The water remains cold, ranging from 43- to 50-degrees. Some of the current hot spots include the docks at Bar Harbor, Margaret, Breezy Point, North Long, Mission and Hubert lakes. For the most fish, try a small bobber, small jig, and a small minnow or worm.
Crosslake
The ice is out on Cross Lake, and the crappies are starting to move into the bays. Crappie anglers are currently doing best on Pine and Rush lakes, as well as in the bays on the west side of Cross Lake.
Crosby
A lot of the early crappie and bluegill fishing spots are already producing good numbers and nice-size fish. Milford, Bay, Little Black Hoof and Turner Creek have all been good locations, and will continue to improve as temperatures warm. Also check out the backwaters of the Mississippi River, where lots of nice-size bluegills, and a few crappies and jumbo perch are being taken.
Isle
The crappies are starting to bite in the small lakes and channels. For the most fish, try Anne and Knife lakes. On Lake Mille Lacs, the ice should be fully melted this week. The crappies were biting in Isle Bay last weekend, and should still be biting once the ice is off the lake.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, good numbers of crappies and sunnies are being taken. Sunfish are active in the Starbuck Marina, and hitting small leeches and waxworms. On the Glenwood end of the lake, the crappies are biting on minnows and Genz bugs. Crappie anglers are also doing well fishing from shore on Pocket Lake, located off County Road 4.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
High winds last weekend led to ice out on most area lakes. A few anglers are taking crappies from St. Anna Lake. Suckers are active in the Swan River, and hitting crawlers. This weekend, look to the shallows on Big Birch Lake and at Hunter’s Bay.
St. Cloud
Sunnies and crappies are biting on Briggs, Sugar, Horseshoe and Cedar Island lakes. Fish are in the shallows, hitting waxworms, crappie minnows and night crawlers.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, the sunfish and crappie bite is improving as the fish move into the shallow bays. For the most fish, hit Turtle, Green Shed and Horseshoe bays.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the crappie bite has been excellent! The best approach has been a jig and minnow worked in 6-8 feet of water. Sunfish have been mixed in with the crappies.
Anoka
Pelican, George and Elk lakes are producing crappies in the shallows. Catfish are hitting live and dead suckers, as well as power bait on the Mississippi River. Sunnies are starting to bite on Crooked Lake, with nice-size fish being taken.
Forest Lake
Panfish are active in 4 feet of water, and hitting tube jigs and mini-mite cubbies in pink and white, or any color of green. The channels on Forest Lake, as well as North and South Center lakes, have been very productive. The temperature in the bays was roughly 60 degrees last weekend, and should be warmer by this weekend.
Chisago City
The panfish bite has been excellent in the shallow bays. Chisago Lake has been the most productive, with the north end of North Center Lake also giving up lots of fish. For sunnies, hit the docks.
Oakdale
The crappie bite has been good in the channels of Phalen, Jarvis, Peltier and Rush lakes. Big Carnelian Lake has also been good. For numbers of sunfish, hit Big Marine Lake.
Stillwater
On the St. Croix River, crappie action has been very great. This weekend's river opener should be good, with lots of walleyes and sauger coming in.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, post-spawn walleyes are currently hitting hair jigs tipped with a fathead minnow near the dam. Also try brightly colored ring worms. The walleyes are starting to move down the river now that the spawn is nearly over. Panfish are coming from the Bay Point Park off the docks. There have been few reports on the backwater panfish bite.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/solunar.htm
