April 29, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportThe warm temperatures this spring have resulted in relatively warm water temperatures. The panfish are already moving into the shallows, where anglers are having lots of success. In many areas, the walleye have already spawned, and most walleye will have completed their spawn well before the opener. Since fish need some time after spawning to begin actively feeding, the timing of the post-spawn bite and this year's May 15 fishing opener should be perfect!
Fishing opener dates for the 2010/2011 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 15; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 29; and for muskie, June 5. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. The stream trout season opens statewide on April 17.
Northeast Minnesota
International Falls
Sturgeon fishing has been very good in the Rainy River. Northern pike are hitting near the shallow bays on Rainy Lake. Crappies are being pulled from Black Bay, but fish have not been as active as expected considering the early warm water temperatures. Wildlife watchers are reporting lots of returning migratory birds, as well as whitetail deer and waterfowl. Ruffed grouse are drumming regularly and other birds are also exhibiting mating behavior. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The 62nd Annual Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, held opening weekend, May 14-16 on Lake Kabetogama, is quickly approaching. This event includes a community picnic, raffles, and a silent auction. For more information on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
Water temperatures in the quiet, shallow bays of Lake Vermilion have reached the upper 50's, and crappies, walleyes, northern pike and bass have all followed into the shallows. Crappie anglers report having the most success when using a dark colored hair jig on cloudy days, and a brightly colored jig on sunny days. Tip them with a minnow and your presentation will be irresistible. The most productive locations are the bullrushes and the wood piles sticking out from shore. Suckers have almost completed their spawn. The DNR has finished walleye stripping at the Pike River hatchery. Please note there are burning restrictions throughout the area. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit
www.lakevermilionresorts.comEly
Crappies remain active, and are keeping anglers happy while they await the upcoming fishing opener. Birch Lake has been giving up the majority of slabs, with fish weighing up to one and a half pounds! Most fish are holding in 8-20 feet of water. The best approach has been a jig and waxworm combination, or a small minnow under a slip bobber. White and pink have been the most productive colors. As the water warms, expect fish to move into the shallows to spawn. Some of the best early season spots are the north side bays where the sun has the best chance to warm the water. One Pine, Farm, and Fall lakes have also been good for some nice-size crappies. To learn more, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette/Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The sturgeon season is in effect through May 7, and anglers can keep one fish between 45- and 50-inches in length, or one over 75-inches long. You must possess both a Minnesota fishing license and sturgeon tag. Many anglers are reporting 10-20 catch-and-release sturgeon per boat per day over the last week! Anglers having the most success with the sturgeon fishing are using 50-pound test line, 3-ounce sinkers, a circle hook, and a wad of crawlers on the Rainy River, in Four Mile Bay, and at the Lighthouse Gap. Depths of 12-20 feet have been best. Now that it is legal to keep these fish, the landings are full of boats! And, the recent stretch of beautiful weather has helped make an already exciting fishing adventure even better! To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
To find out which species of fish are biting and what techniques are working best, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.visitbemidji.comWalker/Leech Lake
Leech Lake water temperatures are in the mid-50's, and anglers are already catching crappies in the shallow bays. The DNR is wrapping up the walleye stripping on Woman Lake which means that the walleye have almost completed their spawn. This may result in fish moving to deeper waters sooner than usual, with the walleye found slightly deeper than they traditionally are on the opener. They may also be more hungry than usual since they need some time after the spawn before actively feeding, and this may time out perfectly with Opening Weekend! At present, lots of male crappies are moving into the shallow waters, along with a few sunfish and a lots of bass. Some crappie anglers have complained about the fast-hitting bass which leave no time for the crappies to bite. Please remember that the bass season will not open until the end of May - these fish must be returned to the water. For more information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit
www.leech-lake.comCass Lake/Deer River/Lake Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux
A local fishing guide offers a few tips for the upcoming fishing opener: Start going through your tackle box and sort your tackle. If you plan on jigging, wind 6 lb. line since it is has a small diameter, it is very subtle for most jigging, and it gives the jig a realistic look as it bounces along in the water. The strength of 6 lb. line is also great. This is also the best weight for rigging since it has the perfect stretch, especially in deeper water. The recommended leader is a mad e of 6 lb. fluorocarbon line that is virtually invisible. When spinner fishing for walleye, your rod should be equipped with 8lb. line since the heavier line is a bit more forgiving for the twisting that occurs when running spinners. It is also stronger, and better when pulling through weeds and having your sinker rub against your line. When trolling crankbaits, use a 10 lb. thermal filament fishing line made from micro dyneema, the strongest fiber of all. It has a small diameter that allows the crankbait to run a lot smoother, and the strength of the line makes it less likely it will break when a northern pike strikes. To find out which locations are producing fish, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit
www.casslake.comPark Rapids
Angling action remains consistently good for crappie and sunny anglers. The shallow back bays and coves continue to hold the greatest concentrations of bluegills and crappies. These species will cohabitate in these warm water areas for a little bit longer. For now, look for active fish in 1-6 feet of water. For early season slabs, use a tiny crappie minnow and bro bug jig under a bobber. If you prefer to catch bluegill, use the same jig tipped with a few waxworms or a wad of angle worms. For further information, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
What an unbelievable start to spring! Water temperatures on Detroit Lakes area lakes are already hovering around 60-degrees. Last year, it was the first week of June before water temperatures rose to this level. Area anglers are having good success with the panfish. Sunfish are active in very shallow water, where you can actually site fish for them. The best approach has been a small leech, pieces of night crawler, or crappie minnows, bobber fished under a small bright jig or hook. Crappies are setting up next to spawning beds - to locate these fish, look for green weed growth in depths of 8 feet of water. Target them by placing your presentation where they suspend over the weed tops. For the most fish, use a small jig or hook tipped with a crappie minnow under a bobber. Small jigs with minnows or twister tails jigged aggressively just above the fish is also working well. The brightest colors seem to be best, especially early in the season. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or go to
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Miltona
There were a greater number of reports of crappies and sunnies moving into the shallows this past weekend. Many anglers had success when bobber fishing with a flu-flu, tube jig or plain hook tipped with a minnow. Fish are responding best to black, chartreuse and red with white tackle. Water temperatures continue to rise during the day, falling slightly when the nights turn cold. To find out more, dial 1-877-833-2350, or visit
www.VisitLakeMiltona.comPine River Area Lakes
Crappies and sunnies have been active in the shallow, backwater bays of various area lakes, especially during late afternoon hours. Most anglers are taking fish using small 1/16 oz. jigs tipped with a small crappie minnow or waxworm. Look for these fish to move into deeper waters after a cold front has passed. To learn more, dial 1-800-728-6926, or check out
www.pinerivermn.comBrainerd Lakes Area
For information on what's biting and where the hot spots are, dial 1-800-450-2838, or visit
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comWillmar Area Lakes
To learn which lakes are producing fish, dial 1-800-845-8747, or visit
www.seeyouinwillmar.comIsle/Onamia/Lake Mille Lacs
To find out what techniques are producing fish on Lake Mille Lacs, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Fishing has been great on many area lakes. Lots of crappies and sunnies are being taken on waxworms, minnows or panfish leeches worked in 10 feet of water or less. The afternoon hours have been best. To find out more, dial 651/257-1177, or visit
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake
White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes are producing lots of crappies and sunnies. Try 8-12 feet of water using a leech, minnow or waxworm for the most fish, especially during afternoon and early evening hours. Local anglers predict a great fishing opener, with the female walleye in post spawn mode and very hungry. To learn more, dial 651/653-5122, or check out
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
For information on Lake Waconia, dial 952/442-5812, or check out
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City
The walleye/sauger action is progressing nicely in Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River. Fish are being caught in both the upper and lower reaches of the lake by those pulling live bait rigs, with a few fish recently taken by anglers pulling crankbaits. The smallmouth bite along the rip rap shorelines is also worth the effort. For the most action, use plastics or jerkbaits. The walleye and saugers will disperse into the entire lake sooner than most years, and likely occur about two weeks ahead of schedule due to water temperatures in the high 50's. To find more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of April 26, the rain had ended, and the area received approximately 4/10 to 9/10 inches of rain. All streams looked to be in good condition. Black caddis were thick in certain areas over the weekend and late last week. To learn more, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit
www.lanesboro.comAlbert Lea
For information on where the fish are biting, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out
www.albertleatourism.orgOrtonville
After a week of warm, calm days, most anglers had high hopes for the border water fishing opener. Unfortunately, the weather turned windy, cold and rainy, and anglers that braved the elements struggled to catch their limit of walleye. Many anglers caught a few fish, but had to work hard and try a variety of techniques, all the while trying to stay dry. Early Saturday morning seemed to be the best time to fish, according to anglers working areas from Fish Creek north. Lots of walleyes measuring 18- to 20-inches were taken, along with quite a few 12- to 13-inchers. Boats were all over the lake, but especially at the popular hot spots such as the bend near Hartford Beach, Buck's Point, and the Meadowbrook Area. Most anglers pitched jigs tipped with a minnow into the shallows, but some tried pulling shallow-running crankbaits, and a few used spinners and crawler harnesses - each technique resulted in a decent, but unremarkable, number of fish. The white bass, however, were very active. There were even a few reports of northern pike being netted. The season is just beginning, and many anglers are making plans for this weekend, anxious to set the hook and take their limit of walleye! To find out more, dial 1-800-568-5722, or visit
www.bigstonelake.com "The information in this report is provided courtesy of community organizations throughout Minnesota. This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism."
