Explore Minnesota Fishing Report May 24
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Walleyes are hitting leeches on Fish, Island and Boulder lakes, with some crappies also being taken. On the St. Louis River, between the Boy Scout Landing and the 79th Bridge, the walleyes are coming in on green spinners tipped with crawlers or minnows. Brook trout fishing is been picking up in the streams. On Lake Superior, cohos, chinook and lakers are biting in the top 15 feet of water, especially on the Wisconsin side. Bright pink, purple and metallic stick baits, bombers or rapalas have been best.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, anglers are finding walleyes and sauger at a variety of depths using jigs or lindy rigs tipped with a minnow on a short snell measuring 24- to 30-inches. Eating-size walleyes can be found in 30-38 feet of water, as well as in 4-12 foot depths in the shallow sandy bays during early evening hours. The walleyes are expected to school and head to the reefs in the near future. Northern pike are aggressively hitting lures, spoons and live bait, especially outside the weed edges in Tom Cod, Daily and Nebraska bays. Smallmouth bass are moving into the shallows, and hitting surface baits such as mepps spinners and rattle raps.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations worked in 10-15 feet of water early in the day. Towards evening, look for the walleyes to have moved into depths of 20-30 feet. Some of the locations to check out include Sand, Saginaw and Anderson bays. Crappies are biting in Black Bay, and large northern pike can be found in the weedy edges around Black and Cranberry bays. Although the sturgeon season has closed on the Rainy River, these giant fish are putting on a show as they breech the water near the dam at International Falls. Smallmouth bass are being taken from the slower bends of the river, with the walleyes found in the deeper, swifter waters of the channels. For the most fish, use a minnow or leech on a spinner rig.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, excellent numbers of walleyes and quite a few trophy fish are being pulled from the South Shore. Anglers are doing best when anchored and jigging with a minnow in 20-24 feet of water. The Lighthouse Gap remains the hot spot, with anglers also doing well at Morris Point, Long Point and Zippel Bay. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, the hot spot remains the rocks and reefs around Oak Island in 12-15 feet of water. For the most fish, use minnows or crawlers. Northern pike anglers are taking fish from the shallows in the bays on spinners, spoons, and small mepps lures. Walleye fishing on the Rainy River is improving. Smallmouth bass continue to move into the river, with a 4 lb. 7 oz. smallmouth bass recently pulled from Baudette Bay. Northern pike are hitting rapalas and daredevils.
Blackduck
The walleye bite has been good on Blackduck Lake during evening hours. Anglers are having success using a jig and minnow combination, with crankbaits workbaits working at dusk. Some anglers are also starting to use leeches. Island and Gull lakes can also be counted on for walleyes. As usual, lots of large northern pike are being pulled from Upper Red Lake. The walleye bite has been incredible, with quite a few 100-plus fish days being reported.
Bemidji
On Lake Bemidji, the walleyes continue to hit long shank jigs tipped with shiners. Most fish are being pulled from 4-10 feet of water. Big Wolf Lake is producing a good number of fish as well. Cass Lake is giving up a few. Some anglers are having success using leeches during the day, and crankbaits after dark. Crappie action has been fair.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye action has been good along the spring shorelines. Although the weather has been the deciding factor on location, many of the traditional hot spots where the shiners are spawning have been best. For the most fish, try a chartreuse or lime green fireball jig tipped with a shiner or rainbow chub. Many limits of nice eating-size walleyes recently came from 5-8 foot depths at Raven's, Mallard, Stony and Tamarac points. Water temperatures have been hovering at the mid-50's. Lots of slot walleyes are being caught and released, with anglers doing a nice job of carefully releasing these fish. Panfish remain somewhat sluggish.
Hackensack
Anglers are reporting success using a jig and shiner at the breaks in 14-16 feet of water. On Leech Lake, Pine and Stony Points have been the better locations. At dusk, try trolling lures, such as size 9 or 11 rapalas, with 75- to 100-feet of line through 8-10 feet of water. Panfish remain in the shallows--try a small leech, waxworm or crappie minnow under a bobber for the most fish. The bass opener is expected to be a good one, with quite a few bass being taken by walleye anglers.
Park Rapids
Poor weather has kept many anglers off area waters. Recently, Potato Island has been the best bet for walleyes, with Eagle, Lower Battle and Long lakes also producing a few fish. The best approach has been a jig and minnow combination worked in roughly 14 feet of water. Big Mantrap Lake is giving up lots of northern pike to anglers trolling suckers through depths of 7-9 feet. The bluegills are starting to move into the shallows on the Crow Wing Chain.
Pelican Rapids
Anglers are having success with the walleyes when the wind subsides on Lake Lida. The best approach has been a shiner minnow, with some anglers also doing well using leeches and crawlers. The panfish are now moving into shallow waters.
Battle Lake
The walleyes are biting in 12-15 feet of water on Silver, Ottertail, Clitheral and West Battle Lakes. For the most fish, use a lake shiner on a jig or lindy rig. The crappies and sunnies can be found suspended using small leeches or crawlers in roughly 10 feet of water on East and West Battle, Clitheral and Elbow lakes. For northerns, troll along the weedlines using a sucker minnow on any area lake.
Glenwood
Anglers are taking limits of walleyes from Lake Minnewaska. Even people fishing from shore are doing well. Most types of bait are producing fish during the day--at night, switch to shallow-running crankbaits. One local angler recently reeled in nearly 20 walleyes when fishing at midnight using a #11 floating rapala. Currently, lots of walleyes are breaking water as they chase the shiners. Limits of crappies and sunnies are being taken on minnow worked in 5-8 feet of water. Anglers also report lots of northern pike and accidental bass. The bass opener is expected to be a great one. Towards the city of Starbuck, walleyes are being pulled from roughly 20 feet of water on plain lindy rigs tipped with fatheads, shiners or leeches. The best bite has been out in front of the High School. Long, Mary and Emily lakes are also giving up walleyes. The northerns are hitting spoons, red eyes and daredevils quickly trolled through 12 feet of water.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, nice-size fish are being reported. Many walleyes in the 15- to 18-inch range are coming off the rocks south of Battle Point. For the most fish, work the big rock pile and the tip of Moon Bar using a jig and minnow combination at dusk. Depths of 10-16 feet have been best. Lindberg Point is giving up lots of nice walleyes on leeches bobber fished at dusk. The docks at Holiday Resort produced some large walleyes at night last weekend, with a 31-inch fish caught and released. Numbers of 2-pound northern pike are coming off the deeper weed beds throughout the lake. For the larger pike, try jigging large minnows at the deep drop-offs. A few good-size crappies are being caught as they stage to spawn.
Nisswa
Despite recent windy days, the fish continue to bite, especially on Gull, Pelican and North Long lakes. Shiners are working best on Gull Lake, with lots of 15- to 18-inch fish taken from along the weedlines in 13-15 feet of water. Most anglers are using lindy rigs. The night bite has been good for anglers trolling rapalas through the shallows. Northern pike action remains excellent on Gull Lake, with walleye anglers reporting lots of pike hitting their lines. Crappies are starting to move out of the shallows and out to the weedlines, however a few can still be found hanging around in the bulrushes.
Crosslake
Whitefish, and many of the smaller area lakes are producing lots of fish. Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs tipped with leeches or shiners in 12-20 feet of water. The best approach is to hit the sharp breaks during early morning and evening hours. Northern pike action has been good, with anglers doing well using large sucker minnows under bobbers at the weedlines. Anglers also report spinner rigs and spinner baits worked near weedlines producing fish. Crappie and panfish action has moved to 6-12 foot depths, with fish hitting small jigs tipped with minnows or waxworms at the weedlines and submerged humps.
Crosby
Walleye anglers are doing well on Rabbit and Serpent lakes using shiner minnows in 18-26 feet of water during evening hours. Hit the mud/gravel transitions for the most fish. A few walleyes have also been pulled from the Clearwater Lake shallows, along with the crappies. The Mississippi River is giving up good numbers of fish during the day. Northern pike are very active in the shallows out to depths of 22 feet on most area lakes. For panfish, look to Black, Blackhoof, Turner, Milford and Manhomen lakes, with fish now transitioning from their spawning sights out to the surrounding weedbeds.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleyes have been active at a variety of locations, including the sand, rocks and mud. Near Malmo, bobber fishing has been good on the rocks. Anglers are reporting action from Hunters Point all the way across the north end to the Red Door. At Hunters Point, hit depths of 19-21 feet. Agate Reef has been productive for anglers bobber fishing during evening hours--begin in 22 feet of water, and move into depths of 12 feet as sunset approaches. Rainbows and leeches are the bait of choice. Anglers are reporting better luck with the slot fish out in front of Fishers on the sand/gravel mix. The best approach has been to drift 7-9 foot long lindy rigs tipped with leeches through 19-23 feet of water. The north end sand has also been consistent from Castaways to the Red Door. For the most fish, try drifting lindy rigs tipped with leeches through 22 feet of water.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
Little Birch Lake and the Mississippi River are giving up walleyes. At night, hit Cedar Lake using rapalas. Some walleyes are starting to bite on Big Birch Lake. Sunnies and crappies are biting on Big Swan Lake. Crappies are active on Moose Lake.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, walleye anglers are doing extremely well. Quite a few 14- to 19-inch fish are being pulled from 8-9 feet of water. The best approach has been a slip bobber worked on the humps in the middle of the lake. Lots of northern pike are coming from depths of 10-15 feet on suckers. The sunfish can be found in the reeds using waxworms and flu-flus. Crappies are hanging around the reeds and off the humps. Local anglers expect a great bass opener.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, walleyes have been active early in the evenings off Keggs, North and Pillsbury reefs in 14-18 feet of water. Fatheads and large leeches seem to be working best. At night, anglers are finding fish up on the reefs in depths of 8-10 feet. Also try the weed edges by the beach and at the Clay Banks. Panfish are biting on the north side in the reeds and bulrushes.
Shorewood
On Lake Minnetonka, fishing has been spotty. Walleye anglers recommend taking along a variety of bait, including crawlers, leeches and minnows. During the day, hit the weeds. Northern pike are active in the channels, and hitting rigs and suckers. The sunnies are biting in roughly 6 feet of water on waxworms and ice jigs. For crappies, hit depths of 12-16 feet using a jig and minnow. The bass opener is expected to be a good one.
Anoka
The walleyes continue to bite on the Mississippi River from Otsego to Minneapolis. Nice crappies are coming from Green, Blue and Elk lakes. Crooked and George lakes are expected to be excellent for bass this weekend. Smallmouth bass are done spawning on the Rum and Mississippi rivers, and should be extremely hungry! Please continue to protect our resources, and release these bass.
Forest Lake
The panfish are biting on Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes, with waxworms taking numbers of fish. Walleyes are being pulled from waters near shore between the Eagles Nest and the A-Frame. Fatheads are working best, however leeches are starting to produce fish. Some nice one-pound crappies are being taken from Forest Lake.
Oakdale
The walleyes, sauger and silver bass continue to bite on the St. Croix River, although the walleye bite has been tough. Some crappies are coming out of Big Marine and Big Carnelian lakes. Sunfish are biting on Lake Peltier. A few walleyes are being taken from Bald Eagle and Clear lakes during evening hours.
Stillwater
Anglers are taking fish above and below the bridge, with crawlers and fatheads working best.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, lead-lining with rapalas at the head of the lake and at the main rock flats is producing walleyes and saugers. Also try pulling plugs at Long Point--expect more saugers than walleyes.
Waterville
Walleye and northern pike action has been great on both Tetonka and Sakatah lakes, with custom crawler rigs producing some nice fish. Panfish are being pulled from the shallows. For some large northern pike, try chubs.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
