May 28, 2010 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportAnglers continue to enjoy beautiful weather and great fishing throughout Minnesota. Walleye remain scattered, with fish being pulled from shallow and deep waters. Most anglers are having success using minnows, with leeches and crawlers producing more and more fish as the season progresses. Expect great action again this weekend, with continued warm and mostly stable conditions.
Please note that some resorts and campgrounds still have openings for this weekend! For the most current list of availability, check with the individual visitors' bureaus listed below.
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 -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Rainy Lake walleye are hitting jigs tipped with minnows. Early in the day, you will find them slightly deeper, in roughly 25 feet of water. Later in the day, look in depths of 15 feet. Trolling with a spinner rig has been working as well. Smallmouth bass are being pulled from the shallow, rocky shorelines. Large northern pike have not been as active lately. On the Rainy River, walleye anglers are doing best near the mouth of the Littlefork River. Bass have been more active near the dam at International Falls. Water levels will probably increase due to the recent rainfall, and this will likely change the current fishing patterns. To learn more, dial 1-800-325-5766, or visit
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
Hot, mid-summer type temperatures have been prevalent, with many days in the low to mid-80s. The water temperature is already an amazing 66- to 70-degrees on the surface, more commonly seen in mid-June. Anglers chasing walleye need to change tactics daily, as well as between mornings and evenings, with fish scattered at various depths. A jig and minnow combination is still an excellent presentation. When fishing the deeper waters, use 3/8- or 1/2-ounce jigs - during mid-day hours, work depths of 30-38 feet. On cloudy days and during morning hours, move into the shallows and toss a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce jig tipped with a minnow into 8 foot depths and retrieve back to the boat. Change speeds frequently to get the most attention. The stand-by slip sinker rig is another excellent presentation. Try minnows, leeches and crawlers to learn which is preferred, and don't leave an area until trying all three. Northern pike have been very active, and are making a mess out of walleye anglers' tackle. For the most fish, work the weed edges using X-raps that match your depth. Smallmouth bass have probably completed their spawn - during this weekend's opener, use a summertime presentation, such as a crayfish crankbait. Walleye anglers will want to check out the areas around Sugarbush and the surrounding islands. On overcast days, try the shallows of the sand bottom bays. Northern pike have been most active in Tom Cod, on the back side of Cutover, and in Mud and Daily bays. On Lake Namakan, anglers should check out the Blind Indian Narrows and Junction Bay, traditional summertime favorites. For more information on Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, dial 1-800-524-9085, or check out
www.kabetogama.comEly
While the season opener was slow, fishing action has really picked up. The water temperature has risen almost ten degrees this past week, and this has lead to a feeding frenzy, with good numbers of walleye pulled from Shagawa Lake and lakes all the way up into the Boundary Waters. The evening bite seems to be best, with the walleye falling for leeches and minnows pulled slowly behind a Lindy style spinner combo in the shallow and deep waters. Gold and fire tiger seem to be the best colors. The lakes are turning over and stabilizing at roughly 58-degrees. The bass are fanning their beds and preparing to spawn. Crawfish imitations are working best, especially in orange and red colors. Look for bottoms with lighter patches in approximately 6 feet of water or less, and slowly retrieve your bait close to the nest. Hopping a tube jig will initiate a bite as the bass will do whatever it takes to remove the intruder from the area. And, many northern pike are being taken near the weed beds and rocky points. A medium sucker suspended under a bobber, or a well-placed spoon or spinner bait will produce fish. For more information, dial 1-800-777-7281, or visit
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
Beautiful weather has kept lots of boats in the water on Lake Vermilion. The evening mud bite is going well, with steady action in 8-14 feet of water. Leeches and minnows are both working well. The day bite has been somewhat tough since fish are moving to depths of 32-40 feet at the base of breaks close to shore. These fish move to the shallows at dusk, chasing bait fish. Crappies are in full spawn mode in the shallows along the bulrushes, docks, and wood. For the most fish, tip a flu- flu or Chippy Charlie with a crappie minnow, and stay mobile. Northern pike and bass are inhaling whatever comes in front of them, with bass staging for their spawn. Lake levels are very low, however, clarity is great. To find out more, dial 1-800-648-5897, or visit
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Sawbill and Brule lakes are producing greater numbers of walleye in the last couple of days. Northern pike and smallmouth bass are starting to pick up as well. Lake trout will be good for another week or two as long as temperatures don't rise too rapidly. In the Gunflint Lake area, fishing continues to improve. Guides are bringing in nice catches of walleye and lake trout. The walleye are biting on Saganaga Lake and are a bit deeper than usual, considering the time of the year. In the next week or two, the smallies will be gathering in their spawning areas. At present, lake trout are being taken from 10-15 feet of water along the rocky shores. In the Grand Marais vicinity, lake trout action has been excellent in all the area trout lakes this spring. On Saganaga, check the reefs at 30 feet using spoons and jigs tipped with a minnow, with fish just beneath the surface. On Gunflint Lake, hit 30 foot depths using shallow-diving lures. On Clearwater Lake, fish are suspended at 35-40 feet of water and hitting shallow-diving lures at the structure. On Greenwood Lake, trout are coming from30 to 35 feet of water on jig and chub combinations, or jigs with spoons tipped with pieces of ciscoes. Overall, walleye fishing has been somewhat slow, with a few reports of some action on the smaller lakes in the shallows and near the weed beds, typically 10 feet or less. On Hungry Jack Lake, try a jig tipped with a chub in roughly 6-10 feet of water at the weed beds, and at the main rock reef at the same depth. On North Lake, anglers report fine walleye action when trolling rapalas, however low water levels have caused entrance to the lake to be difficult to navigate. On Saganaga, schools of smaller walleye are deep, and can be found in depths of 45-55 feet using a jig and chub. Check the shallow pockets as well. Northern pike action is excellent for anglers casting and trolling. Most area lakes are producing smallmouth bass. Rainbow trout anglers are doing well using crawlers and fly fishing techniques. To learn more, check out
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
Walleye anglers should head to Lakes Winnibigoshish and Cut Foot which hold strong walleye populations. Pokegama Lake is also a good fishing lake, due to the variety of water depths. This week, guides are reporting better luck on windy and cloudy days. On calm days, aim for early morning or evening outings for the best chances of finding fish. Walleye appear to be more scattered, but can be located if you spend the time to scout around. Focus on rock piles and structure where fish tend to congregate. If you don't find fish, check the shallows and flats. Guides are taking fish from depths of 4-7 feet, down to 12-16 feet of water, depending on the weather, wind, and water temperature. A jig and minnow combination continues to work well. Crappies and perch are at or near post-spawn. Look for these fish in slightly deeper water than last week. Crappies are still favoring structure and are often found on the edges of cabbage weed patches (curly weeds that resemble onion rings). Perch action is being reported as above average for this time of year, likely due to recent spawning. And remember, to avoid a fine and protect the future of our fisheries; be sure to remove any aquatic weeds from your boat and trailer before departing from the landings. To learn more, dial 1-800-355-9740, or check out
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Summer seemed to hit Lake of the Woods early this year, with excellent weather and fishing at the same time. Fish seem to be coming from all areas of the lake. For the most action, hit depths of 21-28 feet around Pine Island, Zippel Bay, or the Morris Point Gap areas using a 3/8-ounce gold/pink, bright gold, or bright yellow jig tipped with a chub or emerald shiner. The Northwest Angle also offers incredible conditions. For the most fish, use a 3/8-ounce gold or yellow jig tipped with a chub minnow in or around 18-22 feet of water. Please remember that you will need a passport to drive to the Northwest Angle. If easier, consider a Passenger Service. To learn more, dial 1-800-382-FISH, or visit
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Surface water temperatures continue to rise in the Bemidji area, with most lakes now in the mid 60s. Bass, crappies and sunfish are in the shallows spawning, with the bass opener set for Saturday, May 29. Walleye anglers are finding walleye in both shallow and deep waters in most of the larger lakes. The shallow bite is occurring in areas with spawning spotail shiners. Walleye are holding in areas with cabbage weeds or rocks on the bottom in 6-12 feet of water. Walleye will hold tight to the cabbage or move off the deep edge of the weeds when the skies turn bright and sunny. They may also spread out on the flats or use the inside edge of the weeds on days with wind or cloud cover. Anglers are doing well using jigs and shiner minnows for the shallow walleye, with some anglers using fathead minnows in areas with larger perch mixed in with the walleye. Deep water walleye are on the sides of structure in areas with the most baitfish. The insect hatches have started in the mud, so many deep walleye are at the edge between hard and soft bottoms feeding on both minnows and emerging insects. Most of the deep walleye are in 22-30 feet of water, with anglers having success using live bait rigs tipped with leeches, nightcrawlers or larger minnows. The best bet for walleye and large perch has been Winnibigoshish, but Bemidji, Blackduck, Cass, Pike's Bay, Plantagenet and Upper Red lakes have also been good when weather conditions are favorable. To find more, dial 1-800-458-2223, or check out
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
Since opening weekend, the incredible weather conditions and lack of wind have lead to a slowdown in walleye action on Leech Lake. Hard core walleye anglers that remain on the water long enough and stay mobile are having success. Anglers found fish in 18-20 feet of water around Ottertail Point and the Sand Beach area. When the wind did blow some walleye were found in depths of 5-10 feet around Little Hardwood and the Meadows, and the west side of Goose Island as well. On windy days, Pine Point anglers braving the wind were catching some nice fish. This week, a jig tipped with a shiner or rainbow provided the best action, but some anglers were having success tipping a jig with a leech. The water surface temperature this past week jumped to 60-plus degrees - this weekend, consider a lindy rig tipped with a crawler or leech. For more information, dial 1-800-833-1118, or visit
www.leech-lake.comCass Lake/ Deer River - Winnibigoshish & Cutfoot Sioux lakes
Just over a week ago, Cass Lake was giving up fish to anglers using a northland fireball jig with a shiner in 10-17 feet of water. More recently, when fishing Leech and Winnibigoshish, the warm, calm and sunny days caused a lull in the bite. Leech is producing some fish in 15-17 feet of water near the Leech Lake Campground and right out in front of Federal Dam. A decent number of shallow fish were pulled from 7-8 feet of water on 1/8-ounce northland gumball jigs tipped with a shiner. On Winnie, fish were in front of the High Banks, Stoney, and the rock pile, with most of the walleye scattered in depths of 15-17 feet. Once the clouds and wind reappeared, the shallow bite took off, with fish pulled from 8-9 feet of water on northland gumballs tipped with a shiner. This approach should remain good for awhile longer. To find out where and when to fish, dial 1-800-356-8615, or visit
www.casslake.comPark Rapids
Walleye fishing in the Park Rapids area remains spotty. With changing weather patterns, the fish have not yet established a consistent pattern for anglers to follow. Those having the most success are fishing relatively shallow, in depths of 6-12 feet, and taking fish on both leeches and fatheads. Crappies are in the midst of spawning in the shallow coves and bays. The key to finding those spawning areas is a keen eye - look for lighter or darker colored circles near the emergent vegetation such as cattails and pencil reeds. A small jig and minnow suspended beneath a float is the best approach. However, please be mindful of the size and quantity of crappies you keep in order to maintain the health of the fishery. Northern pike action has been very good, with anglers catching pike purposefully using large minnows and artificial lures, and others taking fish accidentally while fishing for others species. Weedy shallow flats have been very good for nice-sized northerns. This weekend will mark the opener for largemouth and smallmouth bass. For largemouth, fish the shallow weeds - hit the rock and sandy bottom areas in 2-10 feet of water for the smallmouth. A northland tackle dip-stick worm will get the attention of both species of bass, and possibly a trophy fish! To learn more, dial 1-800-247-0054, or check out
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
Bass season opens this weekend! These fish are still very active in the shallows. Most anglers that are still fishing for crappies and sunnies are catching bass, also. Look on the inside edge of cabbage weeds, pockets of weeds on the flats, or cover close to shore like docks and deadfall as these areas are all holding fish. Crankbaits, spinners, bobbers/bait, or jigs will all work. Hot bass lakes in the Detroit Lakes area will be Long, Floyd, Cotton, and Big and Little Detroit. For smallmouth bass, check Cormorant, White Earth and Island lakes. Walleye are still in shallow water and jigs/rigs with shiner minnows remain the most productive bait. Look to 6-11 feet of water on the large flats that extend into the main lake areas. Spots on the flat that have cabbage weeds, rocks, gravel or clambeds will attract fish. Pelican, Big and Little Pine, Otter Tail and Island lakes have had consistent walleye production. To learn more, dial 1-800-542-3992, or go to
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Country/Battle Lake/Pelican Rapids
The walleye bite has really picked up from earlier in the week. Shiners remain the bait of choice, with good numbers coming from 15-20 feet of water. Crappies and sunnies are very active in depths of 4-6 feet of water. This weekend's bass opener in the Otter Tail Lakes Area is expected to be very good. For the most fish, use a buzz bait presentation, and hold on! Bass have been active, and anglers expect a better than average opener. And don't forget, the muskie opener is June 5. Upcoming fishing tournaments will be held on Otter Tail Lake on June 13, and on June 18 & 19. For more information, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out
www.ottertailcountry.com. For more information, dial 1-800-423-4571, or check out
www.ottertailcountry.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
The recent above-average temperatures have caused the water temperatures on Lake Mille Lacs to rise quickly, and the mud and gravel areas seem to be heating up as well. The deeper water is the place to be when fishing during the day. During evening hours, look to the rocks, and fish a bit deeper than normal in 9-15 feet of water, unless there is considerable wave action. Leeches have been best, however crawlers are beginning to produce fish as well. For the most fish, run leeches on a simple rig such as a colored hook or a hook and single bead with a 6-8 foot leader. You can run the crawlers on a similar rig. A 6-8 foot leader with a gold, copper or silver metal-colored blade has been working best - use enough speed to get the blade turning. On the mud flats, the large fish outnumber the eating-size fish. There are a few more keepers at the gravel, especially in the evening. Some of the better spots this week include Matton Flat, Backer Flat, Lakeside and the Graveyard. To find out more, dial 1-888-350-2692, or check out
www.millelacs.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
White Bear Lake Area Lakes
Walleye fishing has been fair so this year on White Bear Lake. Fish are biting between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., and again from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Anglers are having the most success using shiners and leeches, with a report of a 7-pound walleye recently taken. Sunnies and crappies are hitting waxworms and crappie minnows, respectively. The best action has been on Bald Eagle Lake since it is not as clear as White Bear Lake, where anglers report good numbers of walleye, sunfish and crappies. And, anglers are pulling lots of sunnies and crappies from Centerville Lake. 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 -Lake Pepin
The walleye/sauger bite has really taken off this past week, with large numbers of fish being pulled from the Mississippi River at Lake Pepin. Anglers using a leadcore trolling approach or live bait fishing with crawlers and leeches are taking fish. For the most part, the fish are hanging on the numerous drop-offs in Pepin, with good numbers of fish also being taken out in the deeper water not connected with the drops. To find out more, dial 1-877-525-3248, or check out
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro
As of Tuesday, May 25, all area streams were considered clear, with normal water flow levels. Streams monitored include East Beaver Creek running through Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Camp Creek, Duschee Creek, Forestville Creek, Gribben Creek, Bee Creek, the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, the South Branch Root River running through Forestville State Park, the South Fork Root River, Trout Run, Wisel Creek, and the Whitewater River system. Light Hendrickson nymphs are active and have been found in trout stomachs this week. Expect Light Hendrickson hatches on the South Branch Root to begin soon, with hatches occurring on Rush Creek at this time. And, a heavy caddis hatch was reported on Canfield Creek on Monday, but the specific species is unknown. To learn more, dial 1-800-944-2670, or visit
www.lanesboro.comAlbert Lea
For information on what's biting, dial 1-800-345-8414, or check out
www.albertleatourism.orgOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Big Stone Lake action has definitely improved over the last week due to calmer water and stable weather. The lake remains crystal clear with reported clarity in some areas down to 10 feet. Anglers are searching for dirty or muddy water, and are fishing the weeds that are starting to appear behind Kight Island, or venturing out in search of fish during low light hours. Many daytime anglers are taking fish by pulling spinner/crawler harnesses behind planer boards in the shallow waters. Evening anglers are taking fish by trolling - when the water is calm, switch to slip bobber fishing with a leech on the deeper rock piles. The shoreline anglers continue to report an excellent bite in the half hour window just before and after sunset. There have been a range of fish being caught by walleye anglers, such as bullhead, northern pike, and white bass. Overall, lots of walleye measuring over 20-inches are coming in. Quantity remains a challenge, with very few limits being reported. 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."
