Minnesota Fishing Report Thursday, May 22
Warmer water temperatures have led to an improved walleye bite.
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
On Rainy Lake, the larger walleyes have been hanging in the shallows. Most of the eating-size fish are being pulled from the 35- to 40-foot reefs. Lost and Jackfish bays have been productive shallow walleye spots, with northern pike also being taken. The Rainy River continues to give up walleyes. Crappies have started hitting in the shallows of Black Bay.
Grand Rapids
Shiner minnows are turning walleyes in less than 10 feet of water on many area lakes. The area’s best walleye action is currently taking place at Bowstring and Sand lakes, and on the Mississippi River. Panfish remain difficult to locate, with the exception of the warm-water discharge area on the Mississippi River, where bluegills and crappies have been active.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations, as well as lindy rigs during the day. Crankbaits trolled at the windswept shorelines during low-light hours have also been effective. Crappie reports have been limited, but should improve as the water temperature warms.
Grand Marais
Walleye action has picked up in 10 feet of water or less on Devils’ Track, Poplar and Two Island lakes. Pike and Crescent lakes are giving up walleyes in 15-18 foot depths, with minnows working best. Lake trout are hitting ciscoes over 40-50 feet of water on Trout Lake. For rainbow trout, hit Kimball and Mink lakes. Trolled rapalas have produced northern pike in 10 feet of water on Pike Lake.
Duluth
Lakes such as Island, Boulder and Fish are giving up walleyes in 8-10 feet of water. The St. Louis River also offers a decent walleye bite in depths of 8 feet. For the most fish, use a minnow. The Highbanks Narrows on Fish Lake is worth noting for crappies. Stickbaits trolled near the surface along the south shore of Lake Superior are producing cohos and brown trout.
McGregor
Minnows are turning walleyes in less than 12 feet of water on the Prairie River and on Lake Minnewawa. Bellhorn Bay on Big Sandy Lake has been good for crappies in 4-8 foot depths. Northern pike and sunfish reports have been limited.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, anglers are taking walleyes by anchoring and pitching a jig and minnow at Four Mile Bay and just inside the Lighthouse Gap. Large fish, as well as numbers of eating-size fish, have been caught throughout the day.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleyes are being taken on jig and minnow combinations, as well as on slip bobbers and minnows worked in 6-8 feet of water. For the most fish, work the Tamarack River or the first break out of Mort’s Landing. The mouth of the Tamarack has started to produce northern pike. Crappies remain active along the north-end shoreline.
Bemidji
Walleye action is heating up in 6-10 feet of water on lakes Bemidji, Plantagenet, Big Wolf and Andrusia. Anglers are also taking walleyes by using twister tails on the Mississippi River. Crappies have started showing up in the shallows of most lakes. Crankbaits are turning plenty of northern pike on Lake Andrusia. Bluegills remain hard to find.
Cass Lake
Walleyes are attacking shiner minnows worked in 4-8 feet of water throughout the Cass Lake Chain. Look for jumbo perch on the 4- to 8-foot gravel and sand areas. Panfish continue to be found in 12-20 foot depths in most weedy bays.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, a jig and minnow combination is producing limits of walleyes in 7-14 feet of water. Some of the better locations this week include Sugar Point, Raven’s Point, and the area from the Highbanks to Tamarack Point. Northern pike are often mixed in with the walleyes. Sugar Point is producing limits of perch in 8-12 foot depths.
Walker
On Leech Lake, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations at the wind-driven points. Good starting spots are 6-10 feet of water at Pine Point and The Hardwoods. Perch action has picked up in 6-12 foot depths throughout Trader’s Bay. Shingobee Bay has started to produce panfish. Garfield and Pine Mountain lakes are producing a few walleyes in the shallows. Little Boy and Wabedo lakes have been good for crappies in less than 6 feet of water.
Hackensack
A jig and minnow is the best bet for walleyes and northern pike in 8-10 feet of water. Look to Woman and Ten Mile lakes for the most fish and the best action. Panfish have become active in the shallows of Pleasant and Little Webb lakes.
Park Rapids
Walleyes are being taken on jig and shiner minnow combinations worked in 8-14 feet of water on Fish Hook Lake and the Crow Wing Chain. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows in 8-10 foot depths on Big Mantrap Lake. Fish Hook is also giving up sunfish in the shallows, while the bays of Lake Belle Taine and Island Lake are holding crappies.
Detroit Lakes
Sunfish are coming from the shallows of Floyd, Big Detroit, Sallie and Melissa lakes. Crappies can be found suspended in the bays over 2-12 feet of water on Acorn, Little Detroit and Big Detroit lakes. Minnows are turning walleyes in 6-12 foot depths on Island, Height of Land, Big Detroit, Melissa, and Big and Little Pine lakes. Northern pike have been an easy catch in less than 10 feet of water on most area lakes.
Battle Lake
Walleyes are being pulled from 6-10 feet of water on Otter Tail, Rush, Walker, Portage and Silver lakes, with minnows working best. Crappie action has heated up in the shallows of Tamarack, Clitherall, Ten Mile, East Battle and West Battle lakes. The best sunfish action is taking place off Rush and Deep lakes. Northern pike are hitting minnows on the shoreline breaks of Clitherall Lake, South Turtle Lake, and the east side of West Battle Lake.
Alexandria
Most of the small, shallow lakes are producing walleyes in 6-12 feet of water on minnows. Lakes Mary and Reno have been good starting spots. Crappies and sunnies seem to be staging near their spawning areas, and moving in and out of the shallows depending on the day. For panfish, hit lakes Carlos, Le Homme Dieu and Darling.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, minnows are turning walleyes in front of the high school in 24-26 feet of water. Small sucker minnows or shallow-running crankbaits are working best for walleyes and northern pike on Lake Emily, especially in 5 foot depths. For panfish, hit the Starbuck Marina or Lakeside Ballroom area of Lake Minnewaska in 4-8 feet of water.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Good crappie and sunfish action is being reported in the bays of Gull, Pelican and Round lakes. During the day, walleyes can be found in 24-30 feet of water, with fish relocating to much shallower depths during low light hours. Lakes such as Gull, Round, and North Long have been the most productive.
Crosby
Jig and minnow combinations and crankbaits are turning walleyes in 3-8 feet of water on Serpent and Rabbit lakes. Some evening crappie action is being reported in the shallows of Serpent, Rabbit and Milford lakes. Look to Little Rabbit Lake for lots of sunfish. Manuel Pit and the Pennington Chain are producing trout, with rapalas, spoons and power bait working best.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, the east end of the lake is producing walleyes on leeches and minnows worked on the 12- to 22-foot rocks and sand breaks during the day. During evening hours, use slip bobbers and leeches on the 6- to 8-foot rocks. The bays and boat harbors have been best for crappies and sunnies. On the west end of the lake, walleyes are being taken during evening hours from 6-12 feet of water at Sherman’s, Seguchie, Brown’s and Pike points. The 12- to 20-foot sand breaks on the north end of the lake, as well as St. Alban’s Bay, are excellent walleye options during the day. For the most fish, use jigs or spinners tipped with minnows at midday, with crankbaits working best at dusk.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Shallow-running crankbaits are turning a few walleyes at night on Lake Koronis. The 4- to 10-foot points on Rice Lake and the channel areas of the Horseshoe Chain have also been good for a few walleyes. Crappies and sunnies remain shallow on most area lakes, including Koronis, Rice, Horseshoe and Pearl lakes.
Zimmerman/Elk River
Walleyes anglers are taking fish from Green Lake on a jig and minnow worked in 12 feet of water or less. Crappies and sunnies remain in the shallows of Blue, Elk and Green lakes. Northern pike are attacking spinnerbaits and sucker minnows worked in the shallows of Fremont Lake.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
An occasional walleye and northern pike is being pulled from depths of 12 feet or less on Clearwater and Cedar lakes. Pleasant Lake is producing walleyes in 6-12 foot depths, with a few fish are also coming from the shorelines of Lake Francis. The bays of Clearwater, Pleasant, French, Sylvia and Granite lakes have been good for panfish.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Sunfish are being pulled from Lake Minnewashta, and crappies are coming from Lake Bavaria. Both species have been most active along the 2- to 7-foot shorelines. The Minnesota River and Lake Parley are giving up a few walleyes in 10-12 feet of water. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows along the emerging weedlines on Zumbra and Steiger lakes.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, the best walleye reports are coming from Pillsbury, Center and Kegg’s reefs, as well as the north side of Wagener’s Bay in 12-16 feet of water. Leeches and fatheads seem to be working best. Crappie and sunfish action remains consistent from the docks out to the 16-foot weed edge.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, crappie action remains consistent throughout the lake in 8-10 feet of water. Also hit the 16- to 18-foot weedlines in most of the larger bays using minnows or leeches. Northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits and sucker minnows worked in the channels. Sunfish remain an easy catch in the shallows.
White Bear/Northeast Metro vicinity
The Prescott area of the St. Croix River and Bald Eagle Lake are giving up walleyes on minnows and jigs. Sucker minnows are producing northern pike on White Bear Lake in 3-7 feet of water. Sunfish are active in the shallows of most area lakes, and crappies are being pulled from less than 6 feet of water on Vadnais Lake.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
Walleyes and sauger are being taken on crankbaits worked in 5-8 feet of water at the Bay City Flats area on the Mississippi River. Walleyes are also coming from the creek mouths throughout the river on jigs tipped with a minnow or ringworm. The docks at Baypoint Park are holding lots of crappies.
Faribault
A consistent sunfish bite is being reported in the shallows of Hunts and Mazaska lakes. Northern pike are hitting spoons trolled along the weedlines of Hunts and Shields lakes. The Warsaw area of Cannon Lake and the rock bars of French Lake have been good for walleyes. For the most fish, hit 8-12 feet of water using leeches and slip bobbers during evening hours.
Waterville
The channel on Lake Tetonka continues to provide steady panfish action. An evening walleye bite is being reported by anglers using slip bobbers and leeches on Lake Sakatah in 10-15 feet of water. Walleyes are also being taken on lindy rigs and leeches worked in 12-15 foot depths on Horseshoe Lake.
Fairmont
Jigs tipped with leeches or minnows are turning walleyes and northern pike on Tuttle, East Chain and Fox lakes in less than 6 feet of water. The bluegill and crappie action remains very good in the bays and channels of lakes Amber, George, Budd, Hall and Perch.
Willmar
Walleyes are scattered between 10 and 50 feet of water on Green Lake. Floating Rapalas and minnows are producing walleyes in the shallows on lakes Ringo, Diamond, Long, Solomon, Willmar and Foot. Lakes Andrew and Monson are giving up lots of northern pike. North Long, Calhoun and Andrew lakes have been good for panfish.
Ortonville
Anglers report an evening walleye bite on the south end of Big Stone Lake near the Peninsula and docks at Ortonville. Lou Point and Welcome Point are holding walleyes in the middle of Big Stone Lake, with slip bobber rigs working best in most areas. Look to the shallows of Lake Traverse for evening walleye action. On Artichoke Lake, both walleyes and crappies are being pulled from 5 feet of water.
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
