Explore Minnesota Fishing Report for June 28
The Fishing Hot Spot this week is Park Rapids, where Long Lake is giving up good numbers of walleyes. Other area lakes have been good for crappies, bass, northern pike and muskies.
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NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
Duluth
Stickbaits are working best on inland waters for lots of walleyes, especially on Fish and Island lakes. Some good reports are also coming from Boulder Lake. On Lake Superior, fish are moving deeper. Walleyes are hitting trolled stickbaits, such as rapalas and bombers, in chartreuse or orange. There has also been a good lake trout, with a few cohos also being taken. For the most fish, use an orange, yellow or green spoon. Walleye fishing has been excellent on the St. Louis River--hit depths of 3-7 feet on the Upper River, and 7 foot depths in the harbor, using shiners and crawlers.
Ely
The key to success seems to be fishing very early or very late in the day, with the majority of fish being taken between 4:30 & 6:30am and 8:30 & 10:30pm. This is when anglers are most likely to find walleyes feeding near the shorelines and mid-lake reefs. Keep all lights inside and low in the boat, and keep noise to a minimum, since these fish can be easily spooked. Fishing the windblown shores has also been very productive. Whether it has to do with light refraction, bait being blown in, or higher oxygen levels, the fish are being pulled from the froth. Good reports are coming from most of the larger lakes, but some lesser-known waters are also giving up impressive stringers.
Kabetogama
On Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan, walleyes are feasting on mayflies, but are also showing an appetite for leeches and crawlers. Harvest-size walleyes are being pulled from 28-32 feet of water, mostly on spinners or a plain hook slip sinker rig tipped with a leech. The best approach is to slowly back-troll your bait, especially at the flats, the eastern half of Kabetogama or the western half of Namakan. Reef structures and windward shorelines with deep water features are holding the most harvest-size walleyes and large sauger. Northern pike are active throughout the lakes, with most coming from the weed tops and weedline edges. Semi-surface lures that stay above the weeds or suspend at roughly 5-8 feet of water are working well with jerkbaits. Smallmouth bass are hitting X-raps and spinnerblade baits in the shallows. These fish are starting to migrate to rock ledges and rockpiles looking for crayfish. Use shallow-running crayfish lures now, and deeper-runners as they migrate.
International Falls
On Rainy Lake, walleyes are coming from 15-20 feet of water in the major bays. The best approach is to vertically jig a minnow, or troll a spinner rig tipped with a minnow or leech. Crappie fishing is starting to pick up in Black Bay. Smallmouth bass anglers are testing different fishing holes for the upcoming tournaments on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. Reports from river anglers are that the walleyes and northern pike are active in the swifter waters both above and below the International Falls dam. The weather has turned more stable, and walleyes are expected to begin congregating around the submerged reefs. Warmer weather and more sunshine should also prompt the smallies to begin hitting poppers and rapalas.
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NORTHCENTRAL/WEST MINNESOTA
Baudette
On Lake of the Woods, walleye anglers are doing well when anchored and jigging in the shallows around Zippel Bay and on up to Long Point. For the most fish, use a gold or chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow or leech in 6-12 feet of water. Other anglers are having success using spinners while drifting or trolling leeches or crawlers. Some charter boats have moved into the river due to high winds, but calmer waters are expected by the end of this week, and accessing the big lake shouldn't be a problem. Some charters are now traveling up to the Garden Island area, with lots of nice walleyes being reported. Recent rainfall is causing cleaner and clearer water on the Rainy River, and greater numbers of good-size walleyes and smallmouth bass are being reported. At the Northwest Angle and Islands area, muskies are coming from the rocks.
Blackduck
On Blackduck Lake, the walleye bite has slowed somewhat. Some anglers continue to catch walleyes using lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches. The panfish bite has improved, with sunnies coming from Rabideau Lake, and crappies being pulled from Gilstad Lake. Northern pike have been very aggressive, however few large fish are being reported.
Bemidji
On Cass Lake, lots of walleyes, measuring 13- to 15-inches, are being pulled from 6-8 feet of water on a pink fireball jig tipped with a shiner. Walleye anglers are also taking fish when dragging leeches and crawlers in depths of 9-12 feet of water in front of the Girls' Camp on Lake Plantagenet. Some large perch are also being taken from Plantagenet--for the most fish, use a spottail or large fathead under a slip bobber. On Lake Bemidji, large 18- to 20-inch walleyes, are coming from the grassy island on perch-colored rapalas. Bottom-bouncing a 1/2-ounce black/gold jig tipped with a minnow is also working well.
Bena
On Lake Winnibigoshish, lots of large fish are being reported, however the 14- to 17-inch eating-size fish have been a little tougher to find. Persistence, and staying on the move, has been key. Anglers are having the most success using a leech rig, however it's wise to also bring along a few crawlers since each fishing hole is different. The off-shore bite is definitely best at this time, and the Main Bar, Long and Sugar bars have been very consistent. Hit depths of 18-22 feet of water using a 6- to 7-foot leader with an orange or chartreuse northland hook for the most fish. Anglers pulling #7 shad raps or minnow rapalas through depths of 9-11 feet have been catching a nice mix of northern pike and walleyes. Perch action has been sporadic, but these fish should soon become more active. There have been some nice bluegills coming out of Big Cutfoot Sioux, at the back end of McAvity Bay, and at the area between Williams Narrows and the Bridge.
Walker
On Leech Lake, Sand Point has been best for lots of walleyes, especially when using slip bobbers and leeches. The Little Hardwoods and Star Point are also giving up fish. The Bear Island area, west side of Clay Bank, and Chippewa Reef can be counted on for a few walleyes. Two Points is giving up lots of muskies measuring over 40-inches, and the really big fish are expected to begin biting soon! The east side perch and pike bite has been great. Crappies are coming out of Sucker Bay on pink and white tube jigs with a white head. Panfish remain very active in Shingobee Bay. For the most fish, try small baits tipped with waxworms or crappie candy.
Hackensack
Fishing remains excellent. Bass anglers are having lots of success tossing plastics on the breaks, and slowly retrieving them back down into deeper waters. Green or brown plastics have been best, especially on the clear lakes. Throwing spinnerbaits into the shallows is also working well. Birch Lake has been the best bet, however Ten Mile, Stony and Webb lakes are also giving up numbers of bass. There have been some good crappie reports, with fish being pulled from above the weeds in 12-15 feet of water. Try a minnow and jig under a bobber, or slowly troll a spinner jig, for the most fish. Keep a stash of waxworms on hand in case a school of sunfish pass by. Most of the sunfish have now left their beds and are headed back to deeper waters. Five Point and Pleasant lakes have been best for numbers of sunnies. Walleye fishing has slowed somewhat, however fish continue to be pulled from area lakes, mostly on leeches and nightcralwers. Also try trolling through 15-20 feet of water at dusk.
Park Rapids
Long Lake remains best for numbers of walleyes, with most fish coming from 14-19 feet of water on crawlers and leeches. Northern pike are being pulled from depths of 12 feet on Fish Hook Lake on a sucker minnow. Bass are chasing spinnerbaits on Long, Big Mantrap, and most other area lakes. Crappies are coming from the 16-18 foot weedlines on the Crow Wing Chain. For muskies, hit the shallows of Big Mantrap Lake using topwater lures.
Pelican Rapids
The walleye bite is starting to slow down, however some fish continue to come from the deeper waters on crawlers. Large bluegills are coming out of Lida, Lizzie and Crystal lakes, with some weighing up to one pound. Most fish continue to guard their beds. Crappies can be found suspended at the outside edge of the cabbage weeds. Lake Lida is giving up lots of crappies, but please remember that these fish need to measure over 11-inches to be kept. Muskie action is improving on Pelican Lake.
Battle Lake
Walleye anglers are doing well on West Battle Lake when using leeches in 24-28 feet of water. On Ottertail Lake, some nice perch are being taken on a jig and minnow worked in roughly 14 feet of water. The sunnies are active on Eagle Lake, and hitting waxworms in the weeds. Fish are also coming out of Dead Lake. Bass anglers are doing well on Clitheral and Eagle lakes. Lots of muskie follows are being reported on West Battle Lake.
Starbuck
On Lake Minnewaska, walleye action has slowed somewhat, however anglers are still taking a few fish. No consistent approach has been best. Sunfish action has been great, with fish pulled from 5-6 feet of water on small leeches and waxworms. Good numbers of bass are also coming from this depth on spinners or a leech under a bobber. Northern pike action is improving in the mouths of the creeks and by the cold water springs. For the most fish, try tossing red eyes, daredevils or large sucker minnows.
Crosslake/Nisswa
Walleye action on the Whitefish Chain, Pelican and Crosslake has been good. For the most fish, use leeches or red-tail minnows on lindy rigs in 18-26 feet of water during early morning and late evening hours. Northern pike action has been excellent, with fish hitting spinnerbaits worked along the weedlines. Bass are active in 4-8 feet of water, and are hitting plastic worms and surface baits worked along the weedlines. Also check out the docks and other shaded areas. Crappies and panfish are hitting small jigs tipped with worms, waxworms and minnows at the weedlines. Small spinners can also produce fish at the weed edges.
Crosby
Many walleye anglers have turned their attention to panfish, however anglers on Serpent Lake and the Mississippi River continue to do well. On Serpent Lake, action is best during low-light hours. The Mississippi River is giving up fish during mid-morning and afternoon hours. During the day, anglers are staying busy fishing for panfish and bass on Blackhoof, Manhomen, East Rabbit, Clinker and Horseshoe lakes. Northern pike are very aggressive, and hitting crankbaits and sucker minnows worked along the weedlines. Trout action remains strong, with most fish being pulled from the pits, roughly 25-30 feet down.
Isle
On Lake Mille Lacs, walleye action has been great on the mud flats using crawlers and spinners. Switch to crankbaits when searching for suspended fish in the deeper waters. Fishing the flats is also enjoyable since there are no snags or weeds, and every "tap" is a fish. The large flats allow for easy drifting and trolling. On the rocks, try leeches under slip bobbers during low-light hours. Smallmouth bass are biting on the shoreline rocks. Muskies are becoming very active in the bays.
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TWIN CITIES VICINITY
Grey Eagle
The muskies are becoming more active on Buckhorn Lake, with most fish weighing roughly 9- to 10-pounds. The best time to fish has been late in the afternoon. Sunnies can still be found on their beds. Big Birch Lake is giving up some nice 3/4-pound sunfish. St. Maries and Mound lakes can also be counted on for lots of sunfish. Cedar Lake, near Upsula, is producing a few crappies. The walleyes are now scattered in 16-32 feet on Big Birch Lake, and on Long Lake located north of Bertrum. Northern pike are active on most area waters. Smallmouth bass action has been been good on Little Birch Lake, with both largemouth and smallmouth bass being pulled from Big Birch Lake.
St. Cloud
Lady and Pearl lakes are producing sunfish at the deeper weedline edges. Smallmouth bass are active on the Mississippi River, and fly anglers are enjoying all of the excitement. Chartreuse and white clouser minnows, weighted willie buggers, and other sculpin patterns should work well.
Annandale
Walleyes remain active on Clearwater Lake. For the most fish, hit 25 feet of water pulling lindy rigs with leeches. Also try a lindy rig or slip bobber at the weedlines and humps in depths of 15-20 feet. Lots of 4- to 5-pound northern pike are being reported, with fish coming from roughly 15 feet of water on sucker minnows. Bass are hitting just about anything thrown their way. For sunfish, look to the weedlines in depths of 10 feet using waxworms. Crappies are active mostly at sunrise and sunset, and can be found shallow in roughly 5 feet of water, just above the weeds.
Anoka
Mississippi River fishing has been excellent. Crappie anglers are doing well fishing from shore at the Coon Rapids Dam when using flu-flu jigs tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth bass are hitting redtails. For walleyes, hit Diamond Lake using fatheads.
Wayzata
On Lake Minnetonka, sunfish and northern pike are being pulled from the weedlines in roughly 6 feet of water. For northerns, try trolling sucker minnows. Crappies can be found suspended in 18 feet of water, about 9 feet down at the deep weedlines. Bass remain active throughout the lake.
Chisago City
Crappies have been active on many area lakes, with good numbers coming from 12-16 feet of water off the weedlines on Chisago Lake. Walleyes are becoming harder to find. The best approach is to hit the deeper waters early in the morning and late in the evening. Bass have been very active, especially at the Chisago Lake docks. Sunfish anglers are also doing very well.
Oakdale/East Metro waters
Nice-size northern pike and bass are being pulled from Forest and Big Marine lakes. Muskies are becoming more active, with some large fish being reported. Sunnies are being pulled from Peltier and Square lakes. Crappies are coming out of Square and Bald Eagle lakes during evening hours. A few walleyes and sauger are coming from the St. Croix River.
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SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
Red Wing
On the Mississippi River, large northern pike are being taken from the Rush River mouth on red eye spoons and large sucker minnows, with fish weighing from 12- to 25-pounds. The Maiden Rock Flats has been best for walleye and sauger action. Most of these fish can be found in depths of 14-20 feet. Anglers are also taking walleyes and sauger by pulling shad raps on Lake Pepin. For crappies and sunnies, hit the backwaters. Bass are biting on the rocks.
Waterville/South Central waters
Northern pike action has been excellent, with lots of nice-size fish taken on creek chubs. Bass and sunfish numbers have also been improssive. Clear Lake is giving up a few crappies on waxworms and crappie minnows. Fish Lake anglers are reportedly taking some large crappies from the deep holes. The walleyes are becoming more difficult to find.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy The Outdoors Weekly, and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
