Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for June 7
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is Leech Lake, where limits of walleyes and northen pike, as well as very large muskies, are being taken.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html ========================
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
The hot spot this week has been Fish Lake, where walleyes are being pulled from 8-14 feet of water on a leech under a slip bobber. Crappies and sunnies can be found in roughly 8 feet of water. Lots of northern pike are also being taken. On Boulder Lake, crappies are coming out of depths of 14 feet. Brown trout action has been good on the Cloquet River. On the St. Louis River, from Hallet Dock to the Park Point area, walleyes have been active. On Lake Superior, some walleyes are coming from the top layer of water along the South Shore. Bright yellow and orange are the recommended colors. And cohos are biting on the mud line, in water as deep as 70 feet, no deeper than 20 feet down.
Ely
Good numbers of walleyes are being reported almost every day. Basswood Lake is currently the hot spot, with many limits of fish in the 4- to 6-pound range being taken. Anglers claim that it is well worth the effort to fish this lake. Burntside Lake is also giving up good numbers of fish, with walleyes measuring up to 30-inches coming in. Shagawa Lake, right in the heart of Ely, is producing nice eating-size walleyes in the 14- to 20-inch range. Walleyes have also been active on the White Iron Chain, however this body of water has a return slot of 17- to 26-inches. Smallmouth bass anglers are enjoying the abundance of active fish on all area lakes. For some incredible action, toss a topwater bait early in the day, or a crankbait at midday. For large northern pike, some weighing up to 20-pounds, use a live sucker minnow.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, fair weather and rainfall have warmed the water and raised water levels nicely. Walleyes, northern pike and smallmouth bass can be found in shallows chasing spawning baitfish. For the most fish, run a small jig or spinner through the shallow sandy and soft bottom bays. Walleyes are also consistently being taken on live bait. X-raps continue to be the favorite shallow water lure since they draw attention from all fish species. Husky jerks and spinners are the next best bet. During mid-day hours and at sunny periods of the day, try slip sinker rigs in the deeper water. Slip sinker rigs are best at 24-30 foot depths--use a jig and minnow combination when fishing schools in 35-45 feet of water. Mid-Kabetogama and the west end have been best for shallow water angling. East Kabetogama and Namakan are kicking out walleyes at deeper depths. Northern pike are very active just outside the weed edges.
International Falls
Walleye fishing has been good on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. Many anglers have been doing well on the east side of the lake in Saginaw Bay, near Big Island, and around the Fox Islands. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a minnow or leech. The best depth depends on the current and wind. Crappie action has been improving in Black Bay. The weedy areas around Cranberry Bay are holding some large northern pike.
===========================
NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the walleye bite remains exceptional! Anglers are taking the most fish using gold or pink jigs tipped with frozen shiners, especially along the South Shore from Long Point down to the Lighthouse Gap. Limits are being taken from 20-25 feet of water in just 1- to 2-hours. The action has been best during early morning hours, as well as later in the afternoon. While fishing on the Rainy River has been somewhat slower, anglers continue to catch limits of walleyes and sauger, as well as a few rock bass. Gigantic sturgeons were caught-and-released in the river last week, with reports of a 62-inch fish and a 53-inch fish being taken. Recent rains have led to a rise in water levels. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, fishing has been excellent. Anglers are finding fish around the islands when jigging or bottom-bouncing gold, silver or pink jigs tipped with a minnow.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, action remains strong, especially in 9-12 feet of water. The best approach has been a leech or crawler, with some anglers also doing well using crankbaits. Lots of 15- to 20-inch fish are being reported. Gull and Island lakes are giving up a few fish. Upper Red Lake produced lots of walleyes and crappies last weekend. Also try Gilstad and Rabideau lakes for a few crappies.
Bemidji
Bemidji, Plantagenet and Cass lakes have been good for walleyes. Hit depths of 8-10 feet for the most fish. Wolf Lake is also producing fish. The best approach has been a leech worked in roughly 9 feet of water.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the walleye bite remains great. Anglers are having the most success using a parrot- or watermelon-colored fireball jig tipped with a shiner minnow, with limits being taken. Currently, the shoreline is giving up the most fish. The deeper bar and hump bite is expected to improve over the next few weeks. Some anglers are starting to do well using leeches and rigs. Areas to check out include the Three Sisters Flats, Little Stony Point, Mallard, Raven's, The Bushy Tree and The Highbanks. Crappies and sunnies are being pulled from the shallows of Little Cutfoot Sioux. Also check the back end of McAvity Bay for excellent bull sunfish action. Shore anglers continue to take walleyes from below the Dam on the Mississippi River leading to Little Winnie.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations, with leeches and crawlers also starting to produce fish. The Walker Bay and Pine Point areas have been best for lots of keeper-size fish. Northern pike anglers are also taking limits. And, a couple of muskies measuring over 50-inches were caught and released last weekend. Fishing is reported to be the best it's been in a very long time!
Hackensack
Bass are hitting topwater lures and jigs on Ten Mile, Birch and Baby lakes. Birch Lake has been good for walleyes. Earlier in the week, a jig tipped with a minnow was the best bet, however anglers are now having more success using crawlers and leeches. Northern pike have been active on Web and Woman lakes. Panfish anglers should use waxworms in slightly deeper waters. Last weekend's muskie opener was slow.
Park Rapids
Walleyes continue to bite in 14-16 feet of water on Potato Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnow rigs worked in 9 feet of water on Big Mantrap Lake. Bass fishing has been good on Fish Hook Lake, both in the shallows and up in the pencil reeds. Crappies can be found in depths of 14-20 feet on Big Mantrap Lake. For sunnies, check out depths of 8-9 feet of water on the Crow Wing Chain.
Pelican Rapids
Walleyes have been active on Lake Lida, with fish becoming more active on South Lida Lake. Crystal Lake has been good for lots of crappies. The sunnies are biting on Prairie Lake.
Battle Lake
Walleye anglers had success using leeches and crawlers in 10-20 feet of water on Clitheral and Battle lakes last weekend. On Ottertail Lake, minnows worked best. On Battle Lake, anglers are taking fish from the weedlines at night on leeches. Northern pike are hitting daredevils and sucker minnows trolled along the weedlines on most area lakes. Bass action has been excellent throughout the area. For the most fish, use topwater baits. Crappies and sunnies are biting in depths of 10 feet on Molly Stark, South Turtle, Clitheral and West Battle lakes. For the larger sunnies, use small leeches. Lots of muskies follows, but few catches have been reported.
Starbuck
The walleyes continue to bite on Lake Minnewaska. Walleye anglers are having the most success on Lake Mary, with leeches and crawlers working best. Bass and sunfish are also active throughout the lake.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, walleye action remains good, especially at Two-Mile Bar at sunset and after dark. For the largest fish, try leeches and shiners under bobbers. Bass action improved this past weekend, with lots of two-pound fish being pulled from the outlet area on spinnerbaits, as well as on jumbo leeches under a bobber. Northern pike are active throughout the lake, with most fish weighing between 1 1/2- and 3-pounds. Large suckers, creek cheebs and golden shiners are producing the largest fish along the deeper weed edges in 10-16 feet of water. Panfish are expected to move into the shallows in the near future.
Nisswa
Walleye action has been excellent the last few days. For the most fish, hit Gull, Round and North Long lakes. North Long Lake walleyes are hitting fireball jigs tipped with shiner minnows, with nice 17-to 22-inch fish being pulled from the weed edges. Northern pike and bass have been active on most area lakes. Look for these fish using spinner baits on the weed flats in 4-12 feet of water. Panfish continue to hit leeches in the shallows. Crappies can be found stacked up along the first weedline in depths of 8-12 feet. For the most fish, try trolling a small thumper jig tipped with a minnow.
Crosslake
Crosslake, Whitefish, Pelican, and many smaller area lakes are giving up lots of nice-size walleyes. Work the steep break areas, starting in 16 feet of water or less. The best approach is a lindy rig, with a longer snell, tipped with a leech, crawler or minnow. Bass action has been good, with fish found at the 6-10 foot weeds. Try worms or spinner baits at the emerging weedlines for the most fish. Northern pike action has been good, with fish being pulled from the sharp drop-offs on spinner rigs. Crappies and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with waxworms or worms at the 6-10 foot weedlines.
Crosby
Fishing has been good throughout the area, with lots of crappies, northern pike, bass and walleyes being reported. For walleyes, hit Serpent Lake during afternoon and evening hours using spinner rigs tipped with a crawler. The Mississippi River is giving up fish during the day. Crankbaits are expected to also be effective on the river in the near future. The best reports for trout action are coming from the Pennington Chain, where anglers are catching rainbows on rapalas and cowbells. On East Rabbit Lake, bluegills are being pulled from the deeper waters off the roadbed, and from the various points and bars on the lake. West Rabbit Lake has also been good for some nice-size bluegills, with fish coming from the shallows. Panfish anglers should also check out Little Rabbit, Black, Nokay and Blackhoof lakes. Northern pike are also being pulled from these lakes, along with Lower Mission, Edward, Manhomen and Rabbit. Bass anglers are doing well on Clearwater, Serpent, Horseshoe and Rabbit lakes.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleyes are active, and being pulled from the rocks and mud on the south end. On the rocks, use slip bobbers and a leech in 15-22 feet of water, especially during evening hours. Check depths of 25-29 feet at the mud and gravel during the day using lindy rigs or crankbaits. Some popular points last weekend were Big Point, Grave Yard, and Three Mile. The walleyes are starting to move into deeper waters. Anglers are doing well on the edges of the flats at Blue Jug, Schultz’s and Deans. For the most fish, try pulling leeches or crawlers behind long-lined rigs. Two Mile is giving up fish in the deeper waters, up to 32-feet deep, on leeches or crawlers. Yellow and green are the recommended colors. Agate Bay has also been good during evening hours--try a lighted bobber with a leech for the most fish.
====================
TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
A lot of bass and a few walleyes are being reported on area lakes. Big and Little Birch lakes continue to be best for walleyes. For the most fish, hit 15-18 feet of water at night using a lindy rig. A lot of 12- to 14-inch walleyes are being pulled from Swan Lake. The panfish bite remains strong on Swan and Moose Lakes. The sunnies are hanging in roughly 6-8 feet of water, and the crappies can be found in depths of 12-15 feet, roughly 2 feet down. Saint Maries Lake is the best best for lots of nice-size bass. For large northern pike, check out Big Swan Lake.
St. Cloud
Walleye anglers are catching fish on Koronis and Alexander lakes. Northern pike and bass are active on Pearl Lake. The Mississippi River is giving up walleyes, crappies, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Sunfish are coming out of Pearl, Briggs and Browns lakes, with waxworms, angleworms and leeches taking fish from 8-10 foot depths. Crappies are biting on Sugar, Pearl and Julia Lakes.
Annandale
On Clearwater Lake, walleyes are hitting lindy rigs and leeches in 15-25 feet of water at the humps in the middle of the lake. Northern pike are active just off the weedlines, and taking sucker minnows under a bobber. Bass are hitting just about anything thrown their way. Sunnies can be found in roughly 10 feet of water using worms and small leeches.
Anoka
Walleyes are biting on Diamond Lake, as well as in the Mississippi River near Elk River. Crappies are active on Green and Peltier lakes. The sunnies should have completed their spawn on area lakes.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, bass are active in the shallows on the north side of the lake. Sunnies are biting in the pencil reeds and around the shore. A lot of muskie follows were recently reported. For walleyes, hit 16-18 foot depths at Keggs, North and Cemetery Reefs.
Wayzata
Northern pike and sunnies are very active on Lake Minnetonka. The northerns are hitting sucker minnows in the channels. Bass are hitting plastics. A few walleyes are being pulled from the weedlines in depths of 15 feet or less. Muskie anglers are doing well on Lake Independence when slowly trolling the weedlines.
Forest Lake
Green Lake has been good for lots of smaller walleyes. Forest Lake has been sporadic during the day. The best approach has been a leech under a bobber. For panfish, use a flu-flu tipped with a waxworm or crappie minnow at the docks. Last weekend's muskie opener was fair. The Metro Muskie Tournament is this weekend.
Oakdale
Northern pike are biting on Big Marine and Big Carnelian lakes. The bass are active on most area lakes. For a few walleyes, hit Clear Lake. Sunnies are coming out of Phalen and Peltier lakes. Walleyes are being pulled from the St. Croix River on fatheads and crawlers. Crappies are also active in various spots on the river.
Chisago City
Walleyes continue to be pulled from 18-20 feet of water during the day at the gravel/silt transition line. Sunrise and Kroon lakes have been good for numbers of crappies. The bass are now leaving their beds, with fish being taken on spinnerbaits worked along the first weedline. Sunnies are active in the shallows and under the docks.
==================
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, willy cats and plugs have been the bait of choice. The panfish remain on their beds. The crappies are biting in the back channels. The larger catfish are being taken on large sucker minnows. Smallmouth bass can be found on the rocks in Lake Pepin.
St. Peter
Walleyes have been biting at the 2nd and 3rd points on Lake Washington. Walleyes are also being pulled from the river and Lake Madison. Northern pike are coming out of Lake Madison as well. Sunnies are active on German Lake, with a few crappies also coming in.
Waterville
Bass, northern pike and walleyes are active on Tetonka and Sakatah lakes. Leeches, spinners and minnows are producing the majority of fish. Some large catfish are also being taken on medium suckers. For lots of sunfish, use waxworms. Crappies can be found under the Highway 13 Bridge.
=========================
EXPLORE MINNESOTA NOW! For lodging specials and incredible deals currently being offered, check out our website at
www.exploreminnesota.com For further travel information, contact one of our travel counselors for your free Journey customized travel planner with information on lodging, attractions, activities, events and performances based on your specific needs and interests. Travel counselors are available Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm central standard time. To reach a travel counselor, dial 1-888-TOURISM. Thank you for Exploring Minnesota!
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
