June 2, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Most walleye continue to respond best to jig and minnow combinations, but live bait rigs tipped with leeches, night crawlers or larger minnows are also producing lots of fish now that the walleye are moving deeper. Anglers will soon be able to fish for all species in Minnesota waters, with the muskie opener taking place this weekend.
Fishing opener dates for the 2011/2012 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 14; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 28; muskie, June 4. 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.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
While cool and rainy weather over the holiday weekend seems to have slowed fishing action, quite a few walleye continue to be taken. Most of the fish are coming from the windward shorelines on Rainy Lake, with some pulled from surprisingly shallow waters. The best bet has been a jig and minnow combination. Some large pike continue to be pulled from Cranberry and Black bays. The smallmouth bass are staging near their spawning areas and starting to aggressively defend their nests. The next couple of weeks look very promising, with warmer and more stable weather conditions in the forecast. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, fishing was sporadic last week. Anglers caught lots of fish in 32 feet of water one day, in 18 feet the next day, and by the end of the week, the best depth was 22-26 feet, with an evening bite as shallow as 8 feet. The walleye now prefer leeches over minnows at times. Jig and minnow combinations, and slip sinker rigs with minnows or leeches has been very effective since you can quickly cover various depths to locate the strike zone. As temperatures and cloud cover change, alter your depth, bait choice and presentation to learn what's best. Walleye continue to prefer soft bottom shorelines over rock piles and reefs since bait fish tend to stay in the soft bottom bays and shorelines during their spawning period. Northern pike remain very aggressive, chasing live bait and artificials in depths of 6-15 feet. Perch and sauger are completing their spawn in the shallows, with many now moving to deeper water. The lilacs are blooming, and this coincides with the crappie spawn. Check 15-25 foot depths at the windward shorelines of the islands and mainlands for the most fish. Move a bit deeper on days with bright sun, and head shallower during evening hours. Overall, structure is important - areas that attract baitfish will attract gamefish. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
Shagawa, White Iron and Fall lakes are giving up limits of walleye, with several ten-pound fish recently taken, along with many 7-10 pound walleye. Most of these fish are holding in 10 feet of water or less. Rainbow minnows and shiners drifted or trolled along the flats have been working well, with leeches and crawlers becoming increasingly popular. Lindy style rigs have accounted for nearly as many fish as jig combos, and are allowing anglers to cover more ground in their search. While smallmouth bass anglers are doing well, the best is yet to come as water temperatures rise. The water temperature is roughly 55-degrees at this time. Some large crappies up to 14 inches in length have been pulled from 10-20 feet of water, not yet in the shallows where they'll soon head to spawn. Large pike are being taken on trolled spoons and large plugs, such as super shad raps in size fourteen. Suspending suckers under a bobber is becoming an increasingly popular method for catching bragging-size northerns. 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Anglers report lots of success in the Arrowhead region lakes. On Hungry Jack Lake, halfway up the Gunflint Trail, lots of walleye are being pulled from less than 10 feet of water on leeches and minnows. On Gunflint Lake, a few female walleye measuring 24-30 inches are being reported, with more and more males also coming in now that the water is approaching 60-degrees. On Elbow Lake, just outside of Grand Marais, the northerns are attacking trolled spoons, as well as sucker minnows under bobbers. The trout are hitting in the shallows of Mayhew and Leo lakes. Caribou Lake, just outside of Lutsen, has had a lot of smallmouth bass activity. On Sawbill Lake, located north of Tofte, large amounts of rain and spring melt have resulted in high water which is allowing anglers access to areas normally too swampy to enter this time of year. The trout and bass are extremely active in these areas, hitting lures and just about jumping into the canoes! The fish continue to bite, and the mosquitoes are mostly non-existent; this is a great time to grab your gear and hit the lakes.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Zippel Bay, the Lighthouse Gap, and Morris Point remain the hot spots on Lake of the Woods. Anchoring and jigging with a brightly colored jig in 23-26 feet of water has been the most productive method for walleye. Fishing continues to improve as water temperatures increase. Up at the Angle, fishing has also been good. Anglers are taking lots of fish from 10-20 feet on brightly colored jigs. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Anglers have been enjoying a great walleye bite in most of the larger lakes in the Bemidji area. Walleye fishing is nearing its spring peak, so most anglers will continue to fish for walleye as long as the bite is good. Anglers will soon be able to fish for all species since the bass season opened last weekend in most Minnesota waters, and the muskie opener is this Saturday, June 4. Muskie anglers typically don't pursue these fish until the water temperatures get closer to 70-degrees and the weed beds become more fully developed. Those that are eager to fish for muskies as soon as they are legal will want to run a bucktail spinner over the tops of the emerging weed beds. When water visibility is high, use a fast-moving bait so the muskies can't get a good look at the bait. Walleye anglers are having the most success using jigs and spotail shiners in most of the larger lakes. Some anglers have switched over to live bait rigs tipped with leeches, night crawlers or larger minnows now that the walleye are moving deeper, heading to mid-lake structure. Bass, crappies and sunnies should be moving onto their spawning beds in the next week or so. Members of the sunfish family spawn when surface water temperatures reach the mid 60s. Please try to give the fish some space when they are spawning so there is a good age class of fish for the future. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comCass Lake
Fishing was very good throughout the area over the holiday weekend. The Mississippi and Turtle Rivers produced lots of walleye at dusk. Cass and Pike Bay lakes produced lots of fish for anglers using shiners, rainbows and leeches in depths of 6-25 feet. Northern pike are hitting jig and minnow combinations slowly trolled through 12-15 foot depths in Allens Bay. Walleye and crappies have been active in 8 feet of water on Lake Andrusia. On Kitchi Lake, anglers have had success with the walleye, sunnies and crappies, however the mayflies are just starting to emerge. 1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker - Leech Lake
Many walleye limits were reported by anglers fishing Leech Lake this past week. The average walleye has run more 16 inches this spring. Some large slot fish are also being reported. The slot on Leech Lake is 18-26 inches for walleye - anglers can keep a total of four, one over 26 inches. More anglers are using leeches, however shiners and rainbow minnows remain the best producers. Tip these on either a dark green or bubble gum color 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jig. When the wind is blowing, hit the shorelines and many of the points. The Big and Little Hardwoods have produced some very nice fish this week. The east side of Goose Island and Pine Point are also good on windy days. Other spots worth checking out are Stoney Point, Ivans Bay and Grassy Point. The crappies are active in the bays and many of the harbors, with a good jumbo perch bite also being reported. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
At the time of this report, water temperatures measured roughly 60 degrees. The shiners have not spawned so they remain the best bait. Jigs and live bait rigs with a 4 foot snell and shiner are producing good numbers of fish. Crappies and sunnies remain in the shallows, preparing to spawn. Walleye action has been steady this past week, with fish found at the developing cabbage beds - check the inside and outside edges, as well as the middle of the cabbage for the most active fish. Big Detroit, Pelican, Island, Little Pine and Otter Tail lakes have all been good for walleye. Pelican Lake has a large walleye tournament this Friday and Saturday, and anglers may want to check out other lakes on these days. Sallie, Melissa, Cotton, Rock, Lida, Ida, Cormorant and Toad lakes have all had consistent crappie action. For the most fish, use a small jig tipped with a crappie minnow under a bobber and suspended 4 feet down in roughly 8 feet of water. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
1-877-833-2350;
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comPine River Area Lakes
1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
Walleye action has been good despite the inclement weather on Cross Lake, Whitefish, and surrounding lakes. Most fish can be found in the shallows at night, and deeper during the day. The best approach has been a spottail shiner minnow or night crawler on a short snell lindy rig. Northern pike are active and hitting spoons and spinnerbaits worked along the weedlines. Still, sucker minnows bobber fished at the weedlines remain the favorite technique for pike anglers. Crappie action remains good, with fish coming from 2-6 feet of water on small jigs tipped with minnows or worms.
http://www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes Area
1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkin
Walleye continue to hit shiners worked in 10-16 feet of water on Farm Island and Round lakes. A good evening bite is reported by walleye anglers when using leeches and rigs along the weedlines. The bass opener was a great success, with good numbers of bass pulled from the shallows of most area lakes on plastics, topwater lures, and small crankbaits. Lots of walleye are coming from the north edge of Lake Mille Lacs. Water temperatures remain below normal, with surface water temperatures mostly in the low 50s. Cool waters have kept the walleye at the shallow sand breaks on the north end of the lake. Some fish are starting to move to the transition areas, from areas with a soft bottom to the rocks in 22-25 feet of water. At the north end sand, fish are still being pulled from the breaks in 17-19 feet of water. If the fish aren't biting, move slightly shallower or deeper. Leeches on long lindy rigs remain best, but on windy days switch to slip bobber fishing at the rocks along shore in depths of 15-17 feet. This shallow rock location is also best during the last hour of the evening, especially when using a leech under a lighted slip bobber in depths of 8-12 feet. On the northeast side of the lake, walleye remain in roughly 8-12 feet of water just off the rocks, and on top of the rocks during lowlight hours. Walleye can also be found in depths of 14-20 feet off the rocks during the day. Near the sand, just off the Carlsona area, walleye are hitting leeches in 15-20 feet of water, with gold spinners and nightcrawlers also working well. The current cool water temperatures should result in great fishing action the entire month of June. 1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye anglers are pulling fish from 12-22 feet of water during the day. Some of the areas that have been productive are the Myr Mar area, the north end sand, Agate Reef, Lakeside, the Tundra and Vineland Bay. For the greatest number of fish, use a slip sinker rig tipped with a leech, shiner minnow or night crawler. During evening hours, hit depths of 5-12 feet using a leech about a foot off the bottom under a lighted bobber, or try trolling a #5 deep-diving shad rap or a husky jerk in size #10 or #12. Northern pike can be found in 12-16 feet of water during the day in St. Alban's and Garrison bays. Anglers have also had success trolling Isle, Wahkon and Cove bays. This Night Ban is still in effect until 12:01 A.M. on June 13. And please don't forget to pull your drain plug immediately when you leave the water. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
It has been a great week for fishing, and anglers report taking fish from nearly every lake in the Willmar Lakes Area. Solomon, Ringo and Long lakes are producing lots of walleye, northern pike and crappies. Anglers are pulling walleye and smallmouth bass from Green Lake. Eagle Lake has been excellent for panfish action. Big Kandiyohi and Elizabeth lakes are also giving up panfish. Baits currently producing fish are spottail shiners, fatheads, leeches and crawlers. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Fishing was good on all area lakes at the end of last week, and this weekend's bass opener is projected to also be good. Walleye are hitting golden shiners, large leeches and fatheads worked in 12-16 feet of water. Anglers are catching lots of smaller walleye on North Center Lake off of Nelson Island - anglers are encouraged to keep walleye over 15-inches, and throw the smaller ones back. Crappies and sunnies are coming from 6-12 feet of water on crappie minnows, straight hooks, white and yellow flu-flu jigs and cubby jigs. For the most fish, hit South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes. Northern pike are coming from Sunrise and Chisago lakes on sucker minnows under bobbers. Please remember that South Lindstrom and Chisago lakes are catch and release only for bass. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
As of late last week, the crappies were active on both White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. The walleye action has slowed a bit, however, anglers are catching fish. The bass are extremely active - for lots of excitement, try a leech or crappie minnow between 5:00 & 8:00 a.m. and again between 4:00 & 7:00 p.m. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of June 2, Light Hendricksons were seen in Houston County and some Fillmore County streams. While not heavy, there were enough to create some nice nymph fishing. Stable weather patterns will spur them on. Conditions were clear and normal for Winnebago Creek, Trout Run, and Pine Creek. Conditions were clear and slightly high for Forestville Creek and the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park. Muddy and normal conditions were reported for Duschee Creek, and the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro was considered muddy and slightly high. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake continues to produce lots of fish, despite the 1 1/2-inches of rainfall last Friday, strong west winds on Saturday, and cloudy, cool weather on Sunday! For some nice-size walleye, use a bottom bouncer/spinner combination tipped with a crawler. Some anglers have also had success using crankbaits, jigs, and even bobber fishing. Dock anglers reported some great evening bites last weekend when using minnows on a crappie rig or slip bobber. While the south end of the lake has been the hot spot, anglers are also having success in front of The Landing and at the Bayview area shorelines. The water clarity is excellent, so cloud cover, a little wind, and nighttime hours have been very helpful. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
