Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for June 14
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is Lake Mille Lacs, where limits of walleyes are being taken.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Fish Lake continues to produce good numbers of walleyes on leeches and slip bobbers worked at the weedlines in roughly 8 feet of water. Island Lake is giving up walleyes on minnows worked 18-22 feet of water. And on Boulder Lake, minnows remain the best bet, especially in depths of 8-10 feet. Crappie anglers are taking fish from roughly 14 feet of water. On Lake Superior, cohos, lakers, chinook salmon and lots of walleyes are being pulled from the Duluth entrance in depths of 80 feet, 20-40 feet down, when trolling at roughly 1.5 knots. Orange or chartreuse stickbaits and spoons with black dots are working best. Cohos are also coming in on pink/silver stickbaits in the upper layer of water. For numbers of large walleyes, work the south shore using ripsticks and bombers. Catfishing has been good on the St. Louis River.
Ely
Fishing on area lakes has begun to take on a summer pattern. Many anglers are catching limits of walleyes, however finding fish is taking more time. Walleyes are beginning to school, so anglers should stay put once fish have been located. Anglers are now catching fish using crawlers and leeches, in addition to minnows. Large northern pike, weighing up to 20-pounds, are being taken from the weed edges on live suckers under a float. Lake trout action has slowed now that fish are moving deeper. Trout can now be found in depths of 65 feet or more. Smallmouth bass are preparing to spawn, and easy to locate--look for the lighter patches on the bottom, cast across and retrieve. Please release as many of these fish as possible to keep the population healthy.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, the windward, shallow shorelines and bays are giving up lots of nice-size walleyes, saugers, bass and lots of smaller northern pike on live bait and artificial lures. Jigging has been effective at the 40-45 foot structure on the east end of Kabetogama, and on into Lake Namakan. Some anglers did well last weekend using lindy rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers in depths of 26-32 feet. As fish transition from the shorelines to the reefs, hit the windward side of gradual drop-offs from a reef top. At midday, fish depths of 24-30 feet of water--during evening hours, hit 16-20 foot depths. Northern pike anglers are taking fish from the weeds on jerkbaits and trolled artificials. Smallmouth bass are currently spawning at the rocky shorelines and points. Live bait and artificial lures that resemble crayfish are working best, however please note that it is illegal to capture and fish using crayfish in Voyageurs National Park waters.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleye action has been very good, especially in 25 feet of water at the submerged reefs. A jig and minnow combination has been best, however some anglers are also doing well trolling a spinner rig tipped with a leech or worm. Current hot spots include Sand Bay, the community reef, and around 8-Mile Island. For walleyes and large northern pike, hit Cranberry and Cormorant bays. Smallmouth bass are about to spawn, and are being taken from the shallower bays. Also try the deeper channels at the wide bends on the Rainy River.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, South Shore anglers are taking limits of walleyes and saugers. Fishing has been good around Twin Rock at Twin Island, all the way towards Zipple Bay, out of The Gap, and along Pine Island. Anglers are doing best when anchored and jigging in 10-17 feet of water, however some anglers are doing well using spinners and plugs. Along the Rainy River, northern pike and smallmouth bass are being taken. The bass are in the weeds and at the weedlines, hitting snagless lures. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, fishing has been best in the bays and along the shorelines. For the most fish, try jigging or bottom-bouncing.
Blackduck
The walleye bite remains strong on Blackduck Lake. Fish are starting to move deeper to the mid-lake structure. The best approach has been a lindy rig and bobber worked in 13-15 feet of water. Island and Gull lakes are also producing walleyes. Upper Red Lake continues to produce good numbers of walleyes. Crappie anglers are doing well on Moose Lake.
Bemidji
Walleyes are biting on Bemidji, Plantagenet and Cass lakes. Anglers are doing best using leeches on rigs in 10-12 foot depths. Crappies are being pulled from 4-10 feet of water on a few area lakes. And a few muskie were recently taken by anglers trolling very slowly.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleye fishing has been good, but hot spots change daily. Stony Point has been inconsistent, whereas Musky Bay, Little Stony and the Duck Houses can be counted on for at least a few fish. For the most fish, try a jig and shiner combination, or a rig and a leech. A mix of keeper-size and larger walleyes are starting to come from the deeper waters. The walleye bite below the Winnie Dam has been good, with shore anglers doing well. Northern pike action is expected to heat up with the emerging weedbeds. Water levels are on the rise, and launching is no longer a concern.
Walker
Leech Lake anglers are doing very well, with limits of nice-size walleyes being taken. Little Hardwoods, Bigrock Reef and Pelican Island are all producing numbers of fish. The rock reefs and humps on the main lake gave up lots of fish last weekend. Most fish were taken on nightcrawlers on a long snell, however a few were taken on a jig and shiner combination. Northern pike and muskies are active at Bear Island and the Walker Narrows. Panfish action is heating up throughout the lake.
Hackensack
Temperatures are on the rise, and nightcrawlers are now the best bet for walleyes, especially on Birch and Ten Mile lakes. On Birch Lake, work depths of 18-24 feet of water using a 36- to 48-inch spinner rig. On Ten Mile Lake, hit depths of 22-28 feet using a 48- to 60-inch rig. Anglers are having the most success using a snell without a spinner. Pleasant Lake walleyes continue to be taken on minnows and leeches, with one group of anglers catching good-size fish in 18-22 feet of water on a 36-inch spinner rig tipped with a leech. Another group reported success using a blue jig and fathead minnow. Crappies are being pulled from area lakes on minnows worked during evening hours. Bass are active, and hitting natural-colored spinnerbaits, as well as small sucker minnows on a jig. Muskie anglers are seeing lots of follows. Two recent catches came in on black bucktails.
Park Rapids
Walleyes continue to hit leeches and crawlers worked in 16 feet of water on Potato Lake. Northern pike are hitting spoons and spinners in 9-12 foot depths on the Crow Wing Chain. Crappies are being pulled from depths of 9-12 feet on Big Mantrap Lake. Bass action has been good in the shallows, with spinners working best. For muskies, hit Big Mantrap using topwater baits.
Pelican Rapids
Walleyes are coming in on leeches and crawlers worked in 15-18 feet of water. The sunfish are currently on their beds, but also biting. Crappies have moved into deeper waters. Northern pike and bass remain active.
Battle Lake
The walleye bite on West Battle Lake has been good, with most fish coming from 18-24 feet of water on leeches and shiners. On Ottertail Lake, fish are being pulled from depths of 10-15 feet, with some anglers doing well in 17-24 foot depths. Minnows, small suckers and redtails are working best, however crawlers are producing some fish. Rush Lake is giving up walleyes on shiners and redtails worked in 15-22 feet of water. Northern pike are active at the deep weedlines, in 15-20 foot depths. For sunnies, hit Dead, East Lost and Anna lakes. Crappies can be found on Deer, West Battle and Dead lakes. Muskie anglers are taking a few fish from West Battle Lake.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, bass fishing has been excellent around the docks on leeches under bobbers. Anglers are also doing well using spinners on the north side at the bullrushes. Walleyes are coming out of 14-18 feet of water at the drop-offs off the points on spinner rigs and leeches. Sunnies are spawning in depths of 4-5 feet of water, with anglers doing well using small leeches and waxworms. And nearby, walleyes anglers are having success on Lakes Emily and Mary.
Nisswa
Walleye anglers are having success on Gull, North Long and Whitefish lakes. The best approach has been a redtail chub or leech worked along the weedlines. Bass fishing is starting to heat up, especially on some of the basin lakes, such as Hubert, Gull, North Long and Cullen. For the most fish, use a slurpy tube or a dipstick worm without a weight in 3-8 feet of water. Panfish have been active in depths of 6-10 feet of water, with worms and leeches working best.
Crosslake
Walleye action has been good on Crosslake, as well as many of the smaller area lakes. For the most fish, hit the outside edge of the weedlines using jigs tipped with leeches or minnows. Also try lindy rigs with longer snells in 16-24 feet of water at the sharp drop-offs. Northern pike action has been excellent, with fish hitting spinner rigs and pike minnows worked along the weedlines. Bass are active in depths of 4-8 feet, and hitting plastic worms and spinner baits. This week's warm temperatures should cause fish to also respond to surface lures. Crappies and sunnies are hitting small jigs tipped with worms, waxworms and minnows, with fish found suspended in 12-18 feet of water.
Crosby
The best walleye reports are coming from Rabbit and Serpent lakes during mid- to late-afternoon hours. The majority of fish are being taken on lindy rigs tipped with crawlers or redtails. Northern pike are active at the weedlines and in the deeper waters, with rapalas and spinnerbaits working best. Panfish action has been best in depths of 4-12 feet of water on Manhomen, Roosevelt, Blackhoof, Black and Serpent lakes. For bass, use a plastic worm on Rabbit, Horseshoe, Edward or Serpent lakes. For trout, hit Portsmouth Lake.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, fishing has been excellent. Bobber fishing remains best on the rocks. Anglers are starting to transition out to the mud flats, with lots of large walleyes, as well as many eating-size fish, being pulled from the south end. There have been lots of reports of 50-fish days. Crawlers are starting to produce more fish. Try lindy rigging in 22-30 feet of water. Bobber fishing with a leech at night has also worked well. Some anglers are having success using a roach rig tipped with a leech, or a spinner tipped with a nightcrawler. Holographic spinner blades are also very effective. The muskie season started off well, with a 49-inch fish taken last weekend. The night ban has been lifted, and anglers can now stay out past 10pm, and can begin fishing for muskie prior to 6am.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Annandale
Walleyes are hitting lindy rigs still-fished under a slip bobber on the humps in the middle of Clearwater Lake. Anglers are also taking fish from 12-15 feet of water on lindy rigs. Northern pike can be found in depths of 10-15 feet using suckers under bobbers at the weedlines. Lots of 1- to 2-pound bass are being taken, along with an occasional large fish. Sunnies are active at the weedlines. Crappies can be found suspended in 15 feet of water, halfway down the weedlines.
Anoka
Smallmouth bass fishing on the Rum and Mississippi rivers was excellent last weekend. In-line spinners, rattletraps, topwater baits and tubes all worked well. Live bait anglers are having success with redtails, creek chubs and crawlers. Walleyes are biting on Crooked, Diamond and Clearwater lakes, with large leeches and minnows working best. Crappies are being pulled from Green, Crooked, Clearwater, Blue and Baxter lakes. For sunnies, hit Rush, Goose and Clear lakes.
Waconia
On Lake Waconia, 46- and 43-inch muskies were caught last week near Center Reef, with a lot of follows also being reported. Sunnies are coming from the shallow reeds on the north side. Bass are active around the docks. Walleyes are hitting fatheads worked in 16-20 feet of water at Keggs and Andersons reefs, as well as near the clay banks. Crawlers are beginninng to turn more and more fish.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, most fish are in the weeds. Walleye anglers are taking the majority of fish during morning, evening and nighttime hours. For the most fish, use a leech or nightcrawler in roughly 8 feet of water. A few walleyes can be found in the deeper waters during afternoon hours on overcast days. For northern pike, try suckers and spinners along the weedlines. A jig and minnow combination in 8-15 feet of water has been best for crappies. Bass are hitting plastics inside the weedlines, with some large fish coming from the shallows. Sunnnies are active in the shallows throughout the lake. For muskies, try large-bodied crankbaits trolled slowly on Lake Independence.
Forest Lake
Fishing has been good throughout the area. Some nice-size walleyes are being pulled from Comfort Lake. A few muskies were recently reported on Forest Lake. Panfish are active on Chisago and Green lakes.
Chisago City
Most area lakes are giving up good numbers of panfish and bass. For bass, hit the docks and the first weedline using a jig and worm. The walleye bite has slowed with the emerging weeds, however a few can be found on the transition line between sand and silt in 18-20 feet of water. Sunrise Lake has been very good for northern pike action.
East Metro vicinity
Sunnies are active on Little, White Bear, Peltier and Phalen lakes. For some nice-size crappies, check out White Bear, Big Marine and Big Carnelian lakes. Some walleyes are being pulled from the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers, as well as Bald Eagle Lake during evening hours. Northern pike action has been good on most area waters, and especially on White Bear, Forest and Big Marine lakes.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, anglers are taking fish by pulling plugs on the Maiden Rock flats. Also try shad raps in 17-24 feet of water. Panfish remain on their beds at Baypoint Park. Smallmouth bass can be found on the rock piles. Fish are also hitting plain hooks tipped with leeches or crawlers in the back channels.
Waterville
Northern pike action has been great on Lake Tetonka, with most anglers taking fish on spoons. Walleyes are being pulled from most area lakes on large leech and crawler rigs. Panfish and bass are aggressively hitting nightcrawlers. Some nice-size catfish are being taken from shore. Local anglers are reporting incredible fishing action!
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
