Minnesota Fishing Report Thursday, June 12
Reports throughout the state indicate that walleyes are beginning their move to deeper water.
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Northeastern Minnesota
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are hitting minnows and rapalas in 8-12 feet of water throughout Black Bay. This area has also been good for nice-sized crappies in slightly shallower water. The Kettle Falls area, the Seine River, and Cormorant Bay are producing walleyes in depths of 20 feet. Look to the Rainy River for walleyes and northern pike in 14-18 feet of water.
Grand Rapids
A jig and minnow combination is producing walleyes in 18 feet of water on Lake Pokegama, and in depths of 18-20 feet on Deer, Moose and Trout lakes. Crappies have moved into the shallows on lakes Pokegama, Wabana and Spider. Sunfish are active on Bass Lake, as well as on the Mississippi River. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are biting on most area lakes. Lake Pokegama is giving up the area’s largest northern pike in 20-30 feet of water.
Kabetogama
On Lake Kabetogama, look for walleyes on the 10- to 35-foot rock- and gravel-bottomed areas. Sugar Bush Island and Center Reef are producing fish at the windswept shorelines. Walleyes are also being pulled from 18-30 feet of water on Lake Namakan, as well as at the Blind Indian Narrows, Tar Point and Cemetary Island on live bait rigs. The rip-rap shorelines and shallow reefs are holding lots of smallmouth bass. Look for northern pike outside the weedy bays in 10-18 feet of water.
Tower
On Lake Vermilion, walleyes are hitting live bait rigs tipped with leeches or minnows on the windswept shorelines in 12-22 feet of water. Crappie action has been limited, however sunfish and bass remain active in the shallows. Northern pike are active in the emerging weeds of most bays, with white spinnerbaits, spoons and sucker minnows working best. Muskie action has been slow.
Ely
Burntside Lake is producing some very large walleyes on minnows and leeches, with more eating-sized fish coming from 8-12 feet of water on White Iron Lake. Sucker minnows and spoons are turning good-sized northern pike on the shallow flats of Burntside and Farm lakes. Smallmouth bass are active in the shallows of most area lakes.
Grand Marais
Slip bobbers and leeches, as well as jig and minnow combinations, are turning walleyes on Saganaga and Seagull lakes in 20 feet of water. Walleye anglers are also doing well in 15 feet on Brule Lake, in 12-15 foot depths on Devil’s Track and Devil’s Fish lakes, and in 8-10 feet of water on Crescent Lake. Good numbers of smallmouth bass are being taken on Mepps spinners worked along the shorelines of most lakes. Trout reports have been limited this week.
Duluth
Crappies and bluegills are coming from the shallows of Fish and Boulder lakes. Walleyes can be found suspended over 20-22 feet of water on Island Lake. Fish and Boulder lakes are giving up walleyes on minnows and leeches worked in 10 feet of water. The bay on the St. Louis River is also giving up walleyes. Look to Rice Lake for northern pike. Trout and salmon action has slowed on Lake Superior due to cloudy water as a result of recent heavy rainfall.
McGregor
Sunfish, bass and crappies continue to be pulled from the shallows of Ratt, Minnewawa and Big Sandy lakes. Anglers report some evening walleye action in 15-20 feet of water on Big Sandy and Minnewawa lakes. The emerging weedlines of Big Sandy are producing northern pike on minnows.
Northcentral/West Minnesota
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, the Lighthouse Gap, Pine Island, and Morris Point areas are giving up good numbers of walleyes, especially during lowlight hours in 12-14 feet of water. During mid-day hours, depths of 24 feet have been best. A jig and minnow or a spinner rig is most effective during the day. And at the Northwest Angle, limits of walleyes are coming from Oak and Flag islands.
Waskish
On Upper Red Lake, walleyes are being pulled from 6-10 feet of water on minnows, leeches and crankbaits. Minnows and spoons have been best for lots of northern pike when worked in depths of 3-8 feet. Crappie action has been good along the shallow shorelines and south end rocks.
Blackduck
Blackduck and Island lakes are producing walleyes in 8-12 feet of water on minnows and leeches during the day. Crankbaits are working well at night. Bass fishing remains strong on most area lakes. Panfish seem to be moving in and out of the shallows on Rabideau and Gilstead lakes.
Bemidji
Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs tipped with leeches or redtails in 4-15 feet of water on lakes Plantagenet and Bemidji. Bluegill and crappie action has picked up in the shallows of most lakes. Muskie action has been limited. Bass are active on Deer Lake and Lake Thirteen in less than 10 feet of water.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, a jig and minnow combination continues to produce walleyes in 7-12 feet of water when the wind is blowing. Little Stoney Point, the South Highbanks, Raven’s Point, Mallard Point, and the Bird Houses have all been good locations. On calm days, work the main-lake bars using leeches and crawlers in depths of 18-22 feet. Perch action remains strong in 7 feet of water in Sugar Bay and at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Walker
On Leech Lake, Pine and Stoney points continue to hold walleyes, however a lot of fish are now coming from the deeper reefs. Big Rock Reef, Cedar Point, Steamboat Bay and Sand Point have all produced walleyes in 6-12 feet of water at night, and in depths of 13-22 feet during the day. Minnows, leeches and crankbaits are all working well. Panfish action has picked up in Shingobee Bay. A few muskies are coming from the weedlines.
Hackensack
Woman Lake is producing walleyes on nightcrawlers worked in 17 feet of water. The 17-foot rock edges on Ten Mile Lake are also giving up walleyes on crawlers. A decent shallow-water panfish bite is being reported on Pleasant Lake. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are very active on Birch and Baby lakes.
Park Rapids
Fish Hook Lake is producing walleyes on shiner minnows worked in 16-18 feet of water. Walleyes are also coming from depths of 8-10 feet on the Crow Wing Chain. For northern pike, try sucker minnows in 10-14 feet of water on Island Lake. Bass and crappie action is strong in the shallows of most area lakes, although Big Mantrap Lake seems to be producing more crappies.
Detroit Lakes
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 6-16 feet of water on Melissa, Sallie, Big Detroit and Pelican lakes. Panfish and bass remain active in the shallows of Big Detroit, Melissa, Long, Floyd and Island lakes. Northern pike are active, but scattered along the weedlines of lakes Melissa and Sallie.
Battle Lake
Anglers are taking walleyes on jig and shiner minnow combinations worked in 15-25 feet of water on Otter Tail Lake. Leeches are producing fish on West Battle Lake in depths of 20-25 feet. Leeches and minnows have been good for walleyes in 15-20 feet of water on Clitherall Lake. Northern pike are hitting sucker minnows drifted at the weedlines of West Battle, Clitherall and South Turtle lakes. For crappies, hit Clitherall, West Battle and Elbow lakes. Fish and Clitherall lakes are giving up good numbers of sunfish. The local bass bite remains strong.
Alexandria
Walleyes are hitting minnows in 7-11 feet on Lake Mary, with crawlers producing fish in depths of 20 feet. Reno Lake is giving up walleyes on leeches worked in 12-14 feet. Anglers report an evening crankbait bite on Lake Miltona. Walleyes are also coming in on minnows and leeches worked in depths of 12-16 feet on Lake Ida. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and tubes on most area lakes. Some shallow crappie and sunfish action is being reported on lakes Ida, Mary, Le Homme Dieu, Darling and Carlos.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleyes are hitting jig and minnow combinations in 24-28 feet of water, as well as spinner rigs tipped with crawlers and leeches in depths of 8-14 feet. Anglers using shallow-running crankbaits are taking walleyes from Lake Emily. Bass are hitting spinnerbaits and leeches throughout Lake Minnewaska. Sunfish are active in the shallows, and crappies are hanging at the bulrushes on the Glenwood end of Lake Minnewaska.
Osakis
On Lake Osakis, crawlers and leeches are turning walleyes in 18 feet of water at the Rock Pile and Banana Bar. Spinners and minnows worked at the weed edges have been good for quite a few 8- to 10-pound northern pike. Look for crappies and sunfish in the reeds and backwater areas. Bass remain an easy catch throughout the lake.
Brainerd/Nisswa
Walleyes are coming from 10-32 feet of water throughout Gull Lake. Jigs and live bait rigs tipped with redtails, shiners or leeches are working best. Crappies have moved into the shallows of most lakes, where they can be found using flu flus and waxworms. Bass are also active in the shallows of most area lakes.
Crosby
Walleyes are hitting leeches during evening hours in 12-16 feet of water on Serpent Lake. The north-end reefs of Pelican Lake are producing walleyes during evening hours in depths of 18-22 feet. Northern pike are hitting spinnerbaits at the 6- to 10-foot weedlines on most lakes. Numbers of large bass are being pulled from Big Rabbit and Clearwater lakes. Shoreline anglers using chartreuse plastics floated off the bottom are taking limits of trout during morning hours on Pennington, Portsmouth and Manuel pits. Anglers fishing from boats and trolling #8 shad raps report steady trout action. Crappies are active in 8-14 feet of water on Mahnomen, Black Hoof and Black lakes. Sunfish are coming from depths of 5-8 feet on Rabbit, Perry and Horseshoe lakes.
Cross Lake
Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in 16-24 feet of water throughout the Whitefish Chain. Crankbaits are producing fish during evening hours in shallower waters. Northern pike are hitting minnows and spinnerbaits on the shallow weeds and flats of most lakes. The docks, weeds and timber areas are holding bass. Crappies can be found at the weedlines of most area lakes.
Isle/Onamia
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye action has improved at the 28-foot gravel on the east side of the lake during the day. Lindy rigs and crawlers are producing the most fish, especially at Dog Bone and Banana reefs. Slip bobbers and leeches are working best at night at Pope’s Reef in 9 feet of water. A few fish are coming from the mud flats during the day. Most docks and shallow rocks are holding smallmouth bass. On the west end of the lake, Seguchie’s, Eight Mile and Sherman’s flats, as well as most of the smaller flats, are producing walleyes. Lindy rigs or spinner rigs tipped with leeches or minnows have been best on the tops and edges during the day. At night, use slip bobbers and leeches off the mud flat edges in 30 feet of water or more. Work the rock points for smallmouth bass. Northern pike reports have been limited.
St. Cloud/Eden Valley
Walleyes are hitting leeches on Lake Koronis and Rice Lake during the day in 16-20 feet of water. Check out shallower depths on both lakes during evening hours. A few walleyes continue to come from Grand Lake in depths of 18-22 feet. Sunnies and crappies are coming from the shorelines of Rice Lake and the Horseshoe Chain. Bass fishing remains strong throughout the area.
Elk River/Zimmerman
Walleyes are hitting minnows and leeches, both early and late in the day, in 12-16 feet of water on Green Lake. The Mississippi River is giving up catfish and smallmouth bass. Look to Blue and Elk lakes for northern pike. Smallmouth bass continue to hit crawlers and crankbaits on the Rum River. Panfish are coming from the shallows of many area lakes.
Twin Cities vicinity
Annandale
Cedar Lake is producing walleyes on leeches worked in 18-24 feet of water, with fish also coming from depths of 18-20 feet on Clearwater Lake. Sucker minnows are taking northern pike from the weedlines of Clearwater, Cedar, Sugar and Pleasant lakes. Crappie reports have been limited, but bass and sunfish are aggressive in the shallows throughout the area.
Prior Lake/West Metro vicinity
Look for sunfish in 4-6 feet of water on lakes Auburn, Parley and Bavaria. Bass and northern pike are active in the shallows of Zumbra and Steiger lakes. The emerging weedlines on Lake Minnewashta have also produced bass. Sucker minnows are working well for northern pike on Lake Ann. The creek mouths on the Minnesota River are producing walleyes on jigs and white plastics.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, sunfish are coming from Waconia Bay, the shallow sand and bulrush areas on the north side, and Reinkie’s Bay. Look for crappies at the emerging weedlines. Bass continue to hit spinnerbaits and topwater presentations in the shallows. Walleyes are hitting leeches in 14-19 feet of water off North Reef during low-light hours.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, bass anglers are doing well using leeches, spinnerbaits and topwater lures at the inside weedlines. The weedlines in 12 feet of water are also holding crappies. Sunfish can be found scattered along the shorelines. Spinners and sucker minnows are turning numbers of northern pike at the inside weedlines. Try leeches at the 6- to 15-foot weedlines for a few walleyes.
Chisago City
Crankbaits, jigs and plastics are producing bass at the shorelines, and at the 14- to 17-foot weeds on Chisago Lake. Crappies are in 4-10 feet of water on Chisago and South Center lakes. Look to the weeds on Sunrise Lake for bass, northern pike and crappies. Walleyes are coming from the points and transition areas in 12-16 feet of water on Chisago, North Center, and South Center lakes during low-light hours.
White Bear Lake/Northeast Metro vicinity
A jig and minnow combination is turning walleyes and sauger in 20-30 feet of water on the St. Croix River. Anglers using leeches are taking walleyes from the 10-to 15-foot rock bars on Bald Eagle Lake. Look to White Bear Lake for panfish in depths of 4-7 feet. Bass are coming from Demontreville and Jane lakes. Muskie anglers are seeing a few fish, but none are biting.
Southern Minnesota
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, crankbaits worked in 15-18 feet of water have been the best walleye presentation on Lake Pepin. Some of the better locations include the Maiden Rock Flats, Warren Town, and the Head of the Lakes. The docks around Baypoint Park are holding sunfish and crappies. Look to the dam area on the Mississippi River for flathead catfish, with most hitting stinkbaits.
Faribault
Sunfish are being pulled from the shallow sand areas of Hunts, Shields and Mazaska lakes. Look for crappies on the shorelines and at the docks of Lake Mazaska. Spoons are triggering northern pike on Circle and Shields lakes. The shallow cover on Cedar and Roberds lakes is producing bass. Crankbaits and minnows remain the best bet for walleyes on the bars and the weedlines of French Lake.
Waterville
Blue and white shad raps are turning walleyes on Sakatah Lake in less than 10 feet of water. Walleyes are also being pulled from Lake Tetonka on leeches slowly trolled through depths of 20 feet. Northern pike and sunfish are coming from the shallows of Sakatah Lake. The shallows of Lake Francis have been the best option for crappies.
Mankato
A strong shallow water crappie bite is being reported on Madison Lake. The shallows of Lake Francis, and Baker’s Bay and Mud Bay on Lake Washington, are giving up panfish. Lakes Washington and Madison have been good for walleyes in 14-18 feet of water, with fish also coming from the shallows of Lura and Hanska lakes. Bass and northern pike action has improved on most area lakes.
Fairmont
Crappies continue to come from the shallows on Hall, Budd and George lakes. Bass are hitting on Budd Lake. Northern pike are attacking sucker minnows on the weedlines of East Chain Lake. For sunfish, work the docks of Sissiton Lake. Walleye action has been slow.
Willmar
Panfish action has picked up on the shorelines and docks of most lakes. Bass and northern pike are coming from the shallow weeds of area lakes. Walleyes are hitting leeches, crawlers and fathead minnows worked in 15 feet or less on Norway Lake, in depths of 15-20 feet of water on Eagle Lake, and in 20-40 feet on Green Lake. Walleyes are also being pulled from Nest Lake along the 15-foot weedlines.
Ortonville
On Big Stone Lake, walleye anglers trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs through 6-10 feet of water are taking fish from the area around the islands. Depths of 12-14 feet near Mallard Point have also been good for a few walleyes. The north end of Artichoke Lake is producing walleyes on crankbaits worked in 6-8 feet of water. Depths of 6 feet on the south end of Artichoke Lake have been good for crappies. And, look for a few walleyes between the two bridges on Lake Lac qui Parle.
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“The information in this report is provided courtesy of Outdoor News, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
