Minnesota Fishing Report Thursday, May 15
While cool water temperatures had a negative impact on walleye action last weekend, fishing reports are improving.
The opening dates for the 2008/2009 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike, lake trout and stream trout in lakes, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; and for muskie, June 7. 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
Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
Walleye anglers are doing well using a jig and minnow combination on the Rainy River. Jigging is producing walleyes along the shorelines and from the docks. A few fish are coming from 40-50 feet of water, but most of the main
lake remains slow. Northern pike reports are limited. Black Bay is worth noting for crappies.
Grand Rapids
Numbers of large walleyes are being pulled from Big Cutfoot Sioux Lake in 6-8 feet of water. Lots of walleyes are also coming in on minnows worked in the shallows of many area lakes, including Sand, Bowstring, Six Mile and Round. The shallows on the east end of Lake Pokegama have been good for numbers of crappies.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, walleyes are hitting minnows in 6-12 feet of water, however most of these fish are measuring within the 17- to 26-inch protected slot. The majority of small, eating-size walleyes are coming from depths of 28-32 feet. Sauger and crappie action has been limited. Northern pike have been very aggressive, and are hitting almost everything thrown into the shallows.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, a jig and minnow combination is providing consistent walleye action in 6-20 feet of water in Black Bay, Norwegian Bay, Niles Bay, and in the Narrows. Walleyes are also coming in on crankbaits worked in the Narrows and Black Bay. Crappie action is improving, especially when the sun is shining. For the most fish, check out Black Bay.
Ely
A vertically presented jig and rainbow minnow has been best for walleyes. Several area lakes are producing fish, however the current areas on Fall and White Iron lakes are giving up the most fish in less than 10 feet of water.
Grand Marais
Few walleye reports are available due to lingering ice which kept anglers off many area lakes during last weekend’s opener. As of Monday, most lakes were ice-free, and a few large walleyes were pulled from Devil’s Track Lake on minnows.
McGregor
The shorelines of Big Sandy Lake are producing small walleyes on minnows. Crappies continue to bite off Pleasant Point and in the narrows on Lake Minnewawa. Bellhorn Bay and the narrows on Big Sandy Lake are also giving up crappies.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake Of The Woods, limits of 16- to 19-inch walleyes and quite a few large fish have been pulled from 4-13 feet of water at the Lighthouse Gap, Morris Point Gap, and at Four Mile Bay. Anchoring and jigging with shiner minnows has been best throughout the day.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, anglers are taking good numbers of walleyes by pitching a jig and minnow into 6-8 feet of water in most areas of the lake. The north side of the lake is producing a surprising number of crappies in depths of 4-6 feet, with quite a few limits being reported. A few large northern pike are coming from the mouth of the Tamarack River.
Blackduck
Walleye action has been limited, with a few fish coming from the shallows on Gull and Blackduck lakes. Panfish action remains slow, however Rabideau, Gilstead and Pimushe lakes should become productive once the water warms.
Bemidji
A jig and shiner minnow is producing walleyes in 4-6 feet of water, as well as in the current areas of Andrusia, Big Wolf and Irving lakes. Northern pike and panfish reports have been limited.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, the walleye bite has been inconsistent due to the cool water temperatures and unstable weather patterns. The best bet is to use a jig and minnow combination in less than 8 feet of water, especially at Mallard Point, Sugar Point, the Gap, and the north end breaks.
Walker
On Leech Lake, a jig and minnow is producing walleyes in 5-10 feet of water off Pine Point, Otter Tail Point, and at the Hardwoods. Generally speaking, most wind-driven points are producing fish. Look for consistent perch action in less than 10 feet of water at the Walker Narrows and the Hardwoods area. The boat harbors have started giving up crappies.
Hackensack
Minnows are turning a few walleyes in 12-14 feet of water on Birch, Ten Mile and Pine Mountain lakes. Hit depths of 12-14 feet on Woman Lake for a few walleyes and jumbo perch. Panfish reports have been minimal due to cool water temperatures.
Detroit Lakes
A minnow and bobber rig has worked best for walleyes during evening hours, especially in areas with current on Pelican, Big Pine, Little Pine and Cormorant lakes. Northern pike have been mixed with the walleyes. Crappie action remains favorable in the shallows of Big Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, Big Pine, and Little Pine lakes.
Battle Lake
Walleye anglers are doing well at the river mouths, current areas, and in less than 5 feet of water on Otter Tail, Rush, Silver, Clitherall and Deer lakes. The bays and shorelines of East Battle, West Battle, Ten Mile and Clitherall lakes have been good for crappies. Lakes such as Mollie Stark, Deer and Rush are producing sunfish. For northern pike, use a sucker minnow on South Turtle, Otter Tail and West Battle lakes.
Alexandria
A jig and minnow combination is producing a few walleyes in 4-6 feet of water on Mary, Andrew and Oscar lakes. Crappies seem to be moving in and out of the shallows depending on weather conditions. When the sun is shining, check out Carlos, Lobster, Darling, Miltona and Le Homme Dieu lakes. For northern pike, hit Lake Carlos.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye anglers are taking fish on minnows worked in front of the high school in 20-25 feet of water. Shallow-running crankbaits and fathead minnows worked in 4 feet of water have offered a more consistent walleye bite on Lake Emily. Panfish can be found in the shallows when the sun is shining–the bite is extremely slow on cool and cloudy days.
Sauk Centre
Minnows and slip floats are turning northern pike in 9 feet of water on Sauk Lake, and in depths of 8-12 feet on Fairy Lake. Fathead minnows are providing steady walleye action on McCormick Lake at night. Look to Maple Lake for a few walleyes in 12-16 feet of water. Area panfish action remains slow.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Anglers are having a tough time finding a consistent walleye bite, even in the shallow waters. Crappie fishing has been much more consistent, with good numbers of fish being taken on flu flus tipped with minnows or waxworms. A few sunfish are also being pulled from the shallows.
Crosby
Brightly-colored crankbaits are producing limits of trout on the local pit lakes. The best walleye reports are coming from anglers using crankbaits in 3-6 feet of water. Sunnies and crappies are biting in the shallow bays and along the shorelines of most area lakes. For northern pike, use a sucker minnow under a float.
Isle/Onamia
On the east side of Lake Mille Lacs, the best walleye bite is taking place on the rocks in 6 feet of water or less, with minnows working best. The Grassy Island area, Hawkbill Point and Big Point have produced the majority of fish during the day and during evening hours. The north end sand breaks are giving up walleyes on minnows and leeches. On the west side of Lake Mille Lacs, walleyes are scattered throughout St. Alban’s Bay in 6-22 feet of water. A jig tipped with a small shiner minnow is producing walleyes off Brown’s, Seguchie and Pike points. A few good-sized northern pike are coming in on minnows worked in the shallow weeds of St. Alban’s Bay.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
An occasional walleye is being taken during low light hours in the shallows around the islands on Lake Koronis. The river mouth on Rice Lake, and the channels and bridges on Horseshoe Lake have also produced walleyes. Walleye anglers are doing well during evening hours in less than 8 feet of water on Long Lake. For crappies, hit Horseshoe and Long lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Elk River
A few walleyes are being pulled from 12 feet of water on Blue and Green lakes. Crappie action has been good in less of 6 feet of water on Blue, Green and Elk lakes. Northern pike and sunfish activity has been limited.
Annandale
While the walleye action has been inconsistent, shallow-running crankbaits and minnows are producing a few fish in 4-8 feet of water on Clearwater and Sylvia lakes. Clearwater Lake is also giving up northern pike, with lots of sunnies and crappies coming from the shallows. Other area lakes giving up numbers of panfish include John, Pleasant, Francis and Sylvia.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Sucker minnows and crankbaits are producing northern pike on Auburn and Steiger lakes, as well as on the south side of Lake Riley. Walleye anglers are taking fish on shiner minnows worked in less than 10 feet of water on the Crow River, Minnesota River, and on Lake Riley. For panfish, work depths of less than 8 feet on the north end of Lake Minnewashta.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, fathead minnows are producing walleyes in 6-12 feet of water during low light hours at the Carp Trap, Rock Dock and Harm’s Point areas. Crappie action has been excellent along the entire south shore, with some large fish being taken off the docks in the marina. For the largest fish, use small jigs tipped with a minnow.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, walleye anglers are having the most success at night in 3-5 feet of water. Leeches or small minnows under a float have been best in Brown’s Bay. An occasional walleye is also coming from the weedlines. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in the channels. Crappie action has been excellent in the bays.
Chisago City
An evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers using minnows at the shallow sand areas on Chisago, North Center and South Center lakes. Sunrise Lake is now giving up crappies and northern pike. Most area lakes continue to produce good numbers of panfish in the shallows.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
Shad raps are triggering walleyes on the St. Croix River in 8-15 feet of water. White Bear Lake is producing walleyes and northern pike on minnows worked in 6-12 feet of water during evening hours. The bays of Big Marine and Silver lakes are also giving up northern pike. Crappie action remains strong, with good reports coming from Vadnais Lake and the marinas on the St. Croix River.
Southern Minnesota
Faribault
The shoreline along the “Warsaw Area” of Cannon Lake is giving up quite a few walleyes. For northern pike, work the shallow weeds of Sabre Lake using spoons. The creek mouth on Shields Lake has been best for crappies, and the bays on Shields and Mazaska lakes are holding sunfish.
Waterville
Walleyes are hitting leeches worked in 7 feet of water in the narrows of Lake Sakatah. German and Washington lakes, as well as Buckmasters Point on Madison Lake are giving up walleyes to anglers using minnows and leeches in depths of 10-14 feet. For panfish, hit the lagoon on Lake Tetonka. Jefferson Lake continues to produce bullheads.
Fairmont
Walleyes are hitting Mister Twisters, leeches and minnows worked in the shallows on Sissiton, Budd and Iowa lakes. George Lake continues to produce sunnies and crappies in the shallow water. Fox Lake has been good for northern pike, especially in less than 5 feet of water.
Willmar
Minnows, leeches and crawlers are producing walleyes in less than 10 feet of water on lakes such as Diamond, Norway, Long, East Solomon, Ringo and Big Kandiyohi. Green Lake is giving up walleyes in depths of 40-50 feet. Northern pike anglers are taking fish on spinnerbaits worked on the Crow River.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
