Explore Minnesota Fishing Report May 3, 2012
Anglers are preparing their boats and gear for the upcoming fishing opener. Most public access docks are in, allowing anglers a chance to hit the water for a test run before the big day. Remember, the fishing opener for most Minnesota waters is May 12--now is the time to start planning your next fishing trip.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2012/2013 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations websites for the most current information. And don't miss the 2012 Governor's Fishing Opener held May 12 in the city of Waconia on Lake Waconia--a community picnic and festival will be offered Friday afternoon and evening, May 11.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Anglers are taking some very large northern pike from the border waters of Rainy Lake and Rainy River, with most of the larger fish coming from Rainy Lake's warmer bay. On the river, anglers are mostly concentrating on sturgeon fishing and quite a few are having success with these giants. The best locations have been close to the dam at International Falls. The smallmouth bass season is continuous on the border waters, but few reports are coming in from bass anglers. 800-325-5766
Kabetogama
800-524-9085
Ely
800-777-7281
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
800-648-5897
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
The trees are starting to bud, and the lakes, streams and rivers remain cool and crystal clear. The best fishing has been along the riverbeds and streams, with anglers taking good numbers of trout from the rivers that have deep riffles and rock run ponds. Kadunce River, just 8 miles from Grand Marais on Highway 61, is a great spot to try your spinning, fly fishing, or bait casting techniques. Whatever method, your chances of getting a bite here are great! Time to get your license and head to the North Shore for some great fishing action, as well as a chance at a trophy fish! Below is a posting of record-breaking fish caught in the North Shore vicinity:
Atlantic Salmon
12 pounds, 13 oz; Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park
Chinook Salmon (shared record)
33 pounds, 4 oz; Poplar River and in Lake Superior, near Duluth
Coho Salmon
10 pounds, 6.5 oz; Lake Superior northeast of Two Harbors
Pink Salmon
4 pounds, 8 oz; Cascade River near Lutsen
Steelhead/Rainbow
16 pounds, 6 oz; Devil Track River near Grand Marais
Lake Whitefish
10 pounds, 6 oz; Lake Superior northeast of Lutsen
Lake Trout
43 pounds, 8 oz; Lake Superior near Hovland
Brown Trout
16 pounds, 12 oz, Lake Superior northeast of Two Harbors
Walleye
17 pounds, 8 oz; Seagull River at the end of the Gunflint Trail
Duluth - Lake Superior
800-438-5884
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers are sharing some exciting stories of sturgeon fishing. While action has slowed somewhat, many 60-plus inch sturgeon, along with a 70-inch fish have been caught this past week. The season remains open for keeping one of these humungous fish through May 7th so now is the time to catch a trophy of a lifetime. Hard water walleye action was exceptional earlier this year, and all signs point to similar fishing success as of May 12. A large lake specialist reports that 14- to 20-inch walleye are more abundant than usual this year, with walleye measuring 12- to 14-inches not as prevalent. Sauger measuring 12- to 15-inches are also more abundant this year. The Lake of the Woods fishery is healthy and in position to keep anglers happy! 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
Surface water temperatures are slowly rising, with most lakes in the low- to mid-50s. Anglers have been preparing their boats and gear for the opener May 12th. Most public access docks are in, allowing anglers to get on the water for a test run. Anglers are finding crappies moving into the shallows in many lakes. The best activity has generally been later in the day, after the sun has had a chance to warm the water. Crappies move into the shallows to feed this time of year, with bass, crappies and sunnies usually spawning when water temperatures reach between 68- and 72-degrees. Crappie anglers can often tell if crappies are male or female in the spring, and this is helpful when practicing selective harvest and returning large females to the water. Male crappies are much darker, with dark scales on their cheek plates and heavier black spots down their sides all the way to the bottom of the fish. Female crappies, on the other hand, have light colored cheek plates and their black spots are less dense, especially towards the bottom of the fish. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
218/665-2368
Walker - Leech Lake
800-833-1118
Park Rapids
The stream trout season is now open and anglers reported decent action on opening weekend. One area stream, the Straight River, is considered one of the best trout streams in the Upper Midwest, with a trout population estimated at 8,000 trout per mile of stream. 800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
The panfish bite remains good on area lakes. Anglers are having the most success on warm and sunny days. Most crappies have been suspended a few feet down in 4-9 feet of water. The best approach has been a small jig under a bobber and tipped with minnow or plastic. Sunfish seem to be biting everywhere in the shallows. Stay on the move until you locate a school of larger fish. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
800-423-4571
Pine River
800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Once the 2012/2013 fishing season opens May 12, there will be a new 17- to 28-inch protected slot for Lake Mille Lacs walleye--one walleye 28-inches or longer may be included in the four-fish limit. DNR fisheries staff expect the good winter bite to carry over into this summer. 888-350-2692
Willmar
Fishing has been very good for anglers pursuing crappies and sunnies, especially on sunny, warm days. Areas to check out include Florida, Andrew, Long, Willmar and Foot lakes, as well as Diamond Lake's Dogfish Bay, and all bays on Nest Lake. 800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
The walleye season opened April 28 on the St. Croix River, with anglers doing very well. During the day, use jig and minnow combinations. During evening hours, try pulling bait through the shallow, rocky points. On opening weekend, most fish could still be found near their spawning locations. Fish were pulled from 15 foot depths by anglers pulling shad raps or rigging with bait over sand bottoms. 715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
On White Bear Lake, the crappies are biting in roughly 8-12 feet of water. On Bald Eagle, crappie anglers are pulling fish from depths of 5-6 feet. 651/653-5122
Waconia
Lake Waconia started off with a bang in April, with good numbers of crappies coming from 7-9 feet of water in Waconia Bay. A good perch bite was also being reported. Area businesses are gearing up for the upcoming Governor's Fishing Opener held in Waconia on Saturday, May 12, with a community picnic offered Friday afternoon and evening, May 11. 952/442-5812
And don't miss The Minnesota Teen Challenge Banquet held at Lord Fletchers on Lake Minnetonka, Friday night, May 4. Ron Schara and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder will host this event. And on Saturday, May 5, check out or participate in the 44th Annual Minnesota Bound Crappie Contest, also on Lake Minnetonka, with $50,000 in prizes awarded!
Southern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
877-525-3248
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Thursday, May 3, area streams seem to be in relatively good condition--more information will be available later this afternoon. This morning, Camp Creek conditions were clear and low. Duschee Creek was reported to be off, with normal water levels. And the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro was also off, but water levels were low. Fisheries staff are still seeing some very nice Baetis hatches. Late last week, more caddis, midges and blue-winged olives were appearing. Anglers should note that recent low water conditions will limit total habitat available to all trout, especially the young of the year. For detailed fishing maps showing defined property lines and easements, check out Trout Angling: Southern Minnesota.
800-944-2670
Rochester - Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
800-634-8277
Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354
Albert Lea
800-345-8414
Fairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280
Ortonville - Big Stone Lake
Anglers are taking good numbers of walleye from Big Stone Lake on days with a slight walleye chop. Some nice fish, measuring 17- to 19-inches, are being caught close to shore, off the wind-blown points. Last Saturday, after the winds died down, one angler caught and released a 26-inch fish. Many other walleye were also reported. The favorite method was a jig and minnow combination, pitching into the rocks along the shorelines or rocky points. Once fish move into a more typical May pattern, fish transition to the 5- to 7-foot range making trolling easier and setting the hook less of a challenge. 800-568-5722
