Minnesota Fishing Report: May 7, 2009

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Minnesota Fishing Report: May 7, 2009

The opening dates for the 2009/2010 fishing season for Minnesota’s inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 9; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 23; and muskie, June 6. 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.

In general, anglers are gearing up for this weekend’s fishing opener, and fishing is expected to be great throughout Minnesota! Most species of fish will be lingering in the shallow waters that warm more quickly. Launch conditions should be good at most public accesses by May 9, however anglers fishing in the far northern regions of the state should call ahead to make sure that their lakes and accesses are free of ice. Please be safe and wear a floatation device.


Northeastern Minnesota

International Falls

The ice is off of Rainy Lake! Large northern pike are being pulled from the mouths of bays, especially at the weedy edges. The best approach has been a good-sized minnow and a strong leader. Areas to check out include Black, Jackfish, Tilson and Cranberry bays. Once the water temperatures rise a bit more, the crappies will become active, with small minnows and light jigs triggering good numbers of fish. Walleye action should be in full swing by the Minnesota opener. One expert suggests slowly trolling a minnow on a spinner rig along the windward side of the bays along the south shore. A giant sturgeon, measuring 74 1/2-inches long and weighing an estimated 110-115 pounds, was recently pulled from the Rainy River. This gigantic fish was just one-half inch short of being legal. There have been reports of sturgeon measuring 50-inches and more being caught and released each day, with good numbers being taken around the mouth of the Littlefork River near Pelland, and near the Black River at Loman. In areas with swift current, be sure to use enough weight to drop your bait to the bottom. Baits to consider include a bunch of worms, a large minnow, or even both! For more information, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit www.rainylake.org

Kabetogama

Water levels should be good for the May 9th opener on Lake Kabetogama. The unofficial ice out date was May 1st, and water temperatures are expected to be in the low 40’s. Crappie anglers report increasingly steady action. The walleyes are expected to be lingering in the shallow waters, somewhere between 5- and 12-feet deep. For the most fish, pitch a jig and minnow combination into these depths and retrieve it slowly. If shiners are available, you may also want to try a jig and shiner in depths of 25-30 feet, just outside some of the shallow bays and shorelines. Bait fish will gather at the wind-blown shorelines, with hungry walleyes hovering nearby. Areas to check out include Tom Cod Bay, Sucker Creek, Clyde Creek, and both sides of the Sugarbush channel on the west end of Lake Kabetogama. Please remember to use extreme care when handling spawning females. For further information, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out www.kabetogama.com

Crane Lake

The ice is off the lake, and the water levels are high. Walleye anglers should look for walleyes congregating at the river mouths and in the flowing water. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination and a slow-moving presentation, especially early in the season. Conditions should be good for an for an excellent fishing opener this weekend. To learn more, dial 1-800-362-7405, or visit www.visitcranelake.com

Cook/Tower/Lake Vermilion

Expert anglers knowledgeable of fishing techniques on Lake Vermilion over the opener recommend fishing in 5-12 feet of water during lowlight hours using a jig and minnow combination. Also check out the windy shorelines. Action should also be good at sharp breaks, saddles or pockets in depths of 18-26 feet of water using the same approach as in the shallows. Walleyes will probably respond to a trolled crankbait during lowlight hours as well. Crappies should still be in the shallow, muddy bays, in 2-4 feet of water. Some of the bays to check out include Black, Wolf, Everett and Muskego, as well as Wakemup Narrows. Any wood or vertical structure will increase your chance of landing lots of crappies. And, each day brings warmer lake temperatures and a better chance of running into a school of crappies. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit www.lakevermilionresorts.com

Ely

The walleye spawn has been going on for a couple of weeks, so expect to find these fish in shallower waters. To avoid spooking the fish, use longer casts. If you’re drifting or trolling, let out a little more line than usual to keep your presentation away from the boat. Large northern pike are very hungry and will attack large suckers and slowly-trolled crankbaits along the weedy shallows. Before this weekend’s fishing opener anglers should take the time to make sure their tackle is in good working order and consider putting new line on their reels - it would be a shame to lose a fish of a lifetime! For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit www.ely.org

Duluth/Lake Superior & inland lakes

Boats are out on Lake Superior, and fishing reports have been very good. Anglers are catching lake trout and cohos - the average lakers is 3- to 4-pounds, with one fish weighing over 30-pounds recently taken. Steelhead fishing has been decent. All launch ramps are open on Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. The smelt run has most likely reached its peak and is now slowing down. Reduced numbers of smelt could still be available along Park Point and the Lester River for the next week. The walleye opener on the St. Louis River should be a good one considering the current water levels and temperatures. Please be safe and be sure to wear a floatation device. To learn more, dial 1-800-4-duluth, or check out www.visitduluth.com
Northwest Minnesota

Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River

Local anglers and resorts are gearing up for a great opening weekend of walleye fishing on Lake of the Woods! The charter boats are in the water, and fishing guides are equipped to provide a memorable day of fishing. The weather forecast is promising, with highs in the upper 50’s. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com

Bemidji

Lakes in the Bemidji area have been ice-free for roughly 2 weeks so the walleyes should be active and hungry when the season opens. The best lakes on opening weekend are typically the smaller or more shallow lakes that have warmed more quickly. Some of the best walleye producers in previous years have been Andrusia, Blackduck, Irving, Kitchi, Leech, Plantagenet, Pike’s Bay, Upper Red, Winnibigoshish and Wolf lakes. Begin in 5-8 feet of water near the spawning areas and expand your search from there depending on the conditions. Overcast skies and wind can push fish into more shallow waters; Clear skies and heavy boat traffic can move fish deeper. Use a light jig and shiner minnow on a light line, and move the bait slowly. Most anglers prefer 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jigs and 6- to 8-pound test line. Have more than one rod available and rigged with different pound test line and a different weight jig. Please remember that the public accesses will be crowded on opening day, and there will probably be long lines waiting for bait and licenses at the bait stores. Please be patient, and have a great day on the water. For more information, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out www.visitbemidji.com

Cass Lake

On Cass Lake, resort owners and locals are optimistic for a great fishing opener. The nets were off Cutfoot Sioux on Friday, and the fish should be ready to bite. Little Cutfoot will open between the channel of Williams Narrows to the Cutfoot Sioux Inn. Expect the walleyes to be out on the large flats by Bowens, and throughout Cutfoot Sioux. For the most fish, use a small jig, roughly 1/16- to 1/8-ounce in weight. Use a slow presentation in the shallows. For further information, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit www.casslake.com

Park Rapids

Over the May 9th fishing opener, walleye and northern pike anglers should use a minnow, leech or nightcrawler, and hit the smaller, shallower lakes which tend to warm more quickly. Shallow-diving crankbaits, especially those with a long, slender body design, are also a great approach. Hit depths of 6-12 feet, especially at the large sand flats and at the drop-offs along the outer perimeter of these flats. Other key spots include points and current areas. Northern pike should also be found in fairly shallow water, near the newly sprouting vegetation which shelters much of their food. For the most fish, try a flashy lure at the green, submerged weeds just outside of the panfish spawning bays. For more information, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out www.parkrapids.com
Central Minnesota

Miltona

The water temperatures are in the mid- to upper-50’s on Lake Miltona, and the crappies have moved up into the shallows. For good numbers of fish, look in the bays filled with pencil reeds and cattails where the crappies congregate in search of forage. Crappies can still be found suspended in some parts of the lake, with fish found in 18 feet of water, roughly 12-13 feet down over the old cabbage weed beds. Use a pink or chartreuse tube, twister tail or flu-flu for the most fish. It should also be a great weekend for the walleyes, especially with the high water levels. Hit the shallows with cabbage weeds where walleyes will be in search of young crappies, panfish and perch. The best bite should occur during evening hours. For the most fish, use a jig and minnow combination in depths of 9-12 feet. To learn more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit www.VisitLakeMiltona.com

Pine River Area Lakes

Water temperatures were 48- to 50-degrees just last weekend. While temperatures will have risen by opening weekend the water will still be relatively cool, and the walleyes and northern pike will be looking for smaller baits. Walleyes continue to hover near their traditional spawning grounds. The males will be very active around these areas in 8-12 feet of water, and in even shallower waters during evening and nighttime hours. Try casting floating plugs into depths of 2-5 feet after dark. During the day, use a jig and minnow combination or a live bait rig tipped with a shiner in 12-20 feet of water. If the weekend is sunny and bright, look deeper during the day; if it is cloudy and windy, fish shallower. Northern pike will most likely be lurking at the first breakline in depths of 10-15 feet, especially at the early weed growth. Just about any live bait rig, or jig tipped with a minnow or artificial bait will work well. Crappie and sunfish action should be excellent in shallow bays that contain old vegetation and dark, murky water. Look for the warmest water possible, with fish most active during the warmest parts of the day this time of year. A small yellow or white jig tipped with minnow under a shallow rigged bobber will be best. Opening weekend should be excellent throughout the area for all species of fish. Check out Whitefish, Pelican, Pine Mountain, Ada, and the numerous smaller lakes located between Pine River, Walker and Longville for some great fishing action. To find out more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out www.pinerivermn.com

Brainerd/Nisswa Area Lakes

To learn which lakes typically produce fish during opening weekend, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit www.explorebrainerdlakes.com

Isle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs

Ice-out occurred right on time on Lake Mille Lacs, and recent warm daytime temperatures should result in a great fishing opener. Walleye anglers should look for the warmer waters, and check the bays, and shallow sand and rocky areas where the water warms more quickly. The most active walleyes will be in less than 20 feet of water, and in very shallow waters towards dusk. While minnows are popular in the early part of the season, leeches can be even better producers. Use medium- to large-sized leeches instead of jumbos, early in the season. The north end sand areas will probably be crowded. If fishing in this area, try drifting a lindy rig. If it becomes too crowded, consider moving over deeper waters, using a very slow presentation. The rock reefs will also be a great location, especially if there is some wind blowing across them. For the most fish, use a slip-float and leech, with shad-raps also working well. For more information, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out www.millelacs.com

Willmar Lakes Area

For information in which lakes to check out over opening weekend, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities vicinity

White Bear Lake

The Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held on White Bear Lake this weekend! At present, crappies have been very active in depths of 3-8 feet, with a few accidental walleye mixed in. Northern pike action is also heating up nicely. For the most walleyes during opening weekend, use a minnow or waxworm on a small white crappie jig. The best times to fish have been 5:00-9:00 a.m., and from 7:00-10:00 p.m. While local guides are not concerned about the low water levels, they do recommend using a bit more caution. The landing at Ramsey has been dredged, and is deep enough for easy launching. For more information, visit www.ExploreWhiteBear.org, or dial 651/653-5122
Southern Minnesota

Lake City

The best fishing is now downstream from Pool #4 on the Mississippi River. Look for post-spawn fish in the Bay City flats area, and at the head of the lake. To learn more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out www.lakecitymn.org

Fairmont Area Chain Of Lakes

Recent warm days have lead to an increase in the crappie bite throughout the chain of lakes. There have been reports of good numbers coming from Budd Lake, especially behind the filtration plant. Earlier this week, one local angler brought home a limit of crappies from George Lake. Home owners living on any of the five lakes are taking fish right off of their docks. There have also been reports of good numbers of crappies, perch, and sunnies coming from Fox and Okamanpedon lakes, with nice-sized fish mixed in. For crappies, use a crappie minnow and a flu-flu style jig. Bluegill anglers will have success using a flu flu tipped with a waxworm. Moderate temperatures and some daytime clouds are expected, which should add up to a great fishing opener! Bring your catch to Hall Lake Cabins Bait & Tackle shop to have your picture taken and possibly posted on the “Wall Of Fame!” Before this weekend’s fishing opener, consider purchasing your 2009 license and avoid long lines! For more information, visit www.visitfairmontmn.com, or dial 1-800-657-3280

 “The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.”