Minnesota Fishing Report for May 4
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 steelhead run is in full swing, especially on the Lester and Sucker rivers, with a few loopers also being taken. A smelt run is being reported on a few area rivers, and more are expected with the rain. The crappie action has been fair, with a few pulled from the shallow bays of area lakes. Suckers continue to run. On Lake Superior, out of Duluth, the coho and lake trout bite has been very good. For the most fish, use brightly colored stickbaits and spoons, especially at the mud lines.
Ely
Boats are being launched, and crappies are being taken. Large crappies are moving into the shallows, and anglers are enjoying all of the activity on the wide array of quality lakes surrounding Ely.
Kabetogama
On lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, the walleyes should now be moving in to spawn. The crappies remain in the deeper waters.
International Falls
The Rainy River is open, and sturgeon fishing is probably the most popular attraction at this time. The sturgeon season is open, however you'll need a tag. Anglers can also fish for northern pike, crappie and smallmouth bass on the border waters. Look for the bass to be just downstream of the dam at International Falls, and in the swifter waters upstream from the dam to Ranier Rapids. Ice is deteriorating rapidly on Rainy Lake.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
Lake sturgeon season is in full swing, and the Rainy River has given up some very large fish. No other North American freshwater fish grows larger or lives longer than this prehistoric fish. Lake sturgeon have been known to live more then 100 years, and can grow larger than 200 pounds. A sturgeon tag is required. Sportsman's Lodge will host the 1st Annual North Star Sturgeon Classic, May 4 & 5.
Blackduck
The crappie bite is heating up on area lakes, however the water remains extremely cold. For the most fish, look to the shallow bays on the north side of the smaller lakes.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, the crappies are becoming more active. The sucker run is going full steam, with twister tails, and jig and minnow combinations working best.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the ice has melted. The DNR walleye stripping operation, which is located near the entrance to Little Cutfoot, ended their work in a record five days. The run was excellent, and DNR personnel stated that there was an impressive run for walleyes of all sizes and age groups. Big Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux are reported to be one of the healthiest walleye systems in the state.
Hackensack
Surface water temperatures are now roughly 50 degrees. The shallows of Sucker Bay on Leech Lake are typically best for early open water panfishing. Also check out the shallows on the north end of area lakes.
Park Rapids
Some crappies are being picked up in the shallows. Long and Fishhook lakes, as well as the Crow Wing chain have been good choices. The trout are biting on the Straight River, with anglers reporting lots of browns.
Pelican Rapids
The black bottomed bays have been excellent for sunfish and crappie action. The sunnies are biting on Sand and Pelican lakes along the sunny shorelines. The crappies are biting on Lida, Crystal and Franklin lakes. Fishing from shore has been great along the Pelican River and at Maplewood State Park, as well as quite a few area lakes.
Battle Lake
A good panfish bite is being reported. Crappies are biting on Clitheral, West Battle, Elbow and Ten Mile lakes. The sunnies are active on most area lakes, with fish moving into the shallows. For the most fish, try crappies minnows and crawlers.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, the creeks on the north end are consistently giving up fish during early morning hours. The best approach has been bobber fishing with a small crappie minnow. During the day, the sunfish are moving in and out of the creeks. Sunfish action has been good in the channel by the old Black's Resort when using dry flies or waxworms cast right up into the cattails. The crappies and sunnies should soon be moving into the larger, shallower bays, such as Millers and the outlet areas.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, sunfish are active in the Starbuck Marina, and hitting small leeches or waxworms. On the Glenwood end of the lake, the crappies are hitting minnows and Genz bugs. Crappie anglers are also doing well fishing from shore off County Road 4 on Pocket Lake. Other lakes to check out include Mary, Little Mary, and the northeast corner of Lake Reno.
Crosslake
Crappie action is heating up. Some of the better locations include Pig, Loon and Clamshell lakes. Also check out the smaller bays on Cross Lake.
Nisswa
Anglers have crappie fever now that the crappies are moving in the shallows. Last weekend, fishing heated up, with some anglers reported 100 fish in a day. Some lakes to check out include Pelican, Gull, Whitefish, Hubert and Mission. Even shore anglers are catching quite a few crappies. Most fish are hanging in the shallows of the the small back bays holding the warmest water. It may be wise to concentrate on areas with small pencil reeds. For sunnies and crappies, use a small jig tipped with a small waxworm or crappie minnow under a bobber.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, large crappies are being pulled from the bays on the south end of the lake. Izaty’s Harbors, Malone Island and Isle Bay are some of the better locations. Nearby, Knife, Dam, Clear and Anne lakes are also producing some nice-size crappies and lots of sunnies. For the most fish, use crappie minnows and tube jigs, especially during lowlight hours. A few perch are being pulled from 6-12 feet of water on Lake Mille Lacs.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
The sunnies and crappies are moving into the shallows. For crappies, try flu-flus and tube jigs tipped with a minnow. For the sunfish, use waxworms. A few anglers are doing well using small leeches. Some of the better locations include Big Birch, Big Swan and Pine. If you venture out, please watch for the posted spawning areas.
St. Cloud
Sugar, Briggs and Julia lakes are producing sunfish and crappies. Little Rock Lake is giving up crappies, as well as a few perch. Crappies are also biting on the Mississippi River.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, sunnies and crappies were biting last weekend. For the most fish, check out 2-3 feet of water using waxworms and crappie minnows on smaller flu-flus. Greenshed and Turtle bays are some of the better locations.
Anoka
Crooked, Pelican, George and Linwood lakes are all giving up crappies in the shallows. Catfish are hitting power bait, as well as live and dead suckers on the Mississippi River. Sunfish action is also heating up on Crooked Lake, with nice-size fish being taken.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, panfish action has been good along the shorelines. The crappies are moving into the shallows, and hitting ice flies, flu-flus and beetle spins. For sunfish, use waxworms.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, the crappies are starting to move into deeper waters. Some crappies continue to bite in the shallows of Wayzata Bay, St. Louis Bay and around Big Island. For the crappies, try a jig and minnow combination, and switch colors often to learn what works best. The sunfish are now moving into the shallows.
Oakdale
The crappies are biting on Big Marine and White Bear lakes.
Stillwater
Quite a few walleyes were pulled from the St. Croix River last weekend. The best approach has been a jig tipped with a crawler or fathead minnow. Numbers of crappies are being pulled from the marinas.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Waterville
Crappies and sunnies are biting well throughout the area. Waxworms, panfish leeches and crappie minnows have been the best producers. On Lake Tetonka, the Lagoon area has been best for numbers of sunnies. Lake Francis is giving up quite a few crappies. White bass are active on the Cannon River, with twister tails taking the most fish. Anglers report a lot of accidental bass being caught and released on Lake Tetonka--this year should be a good one for largemouth bass.
