April 28, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report The majority of lakes in the southern one-half of Minnesota now offer fishable waters, with boat and shore anglers already taking decent numbers of fish. A greater number of fishing reports should soon be available as more fish move into the shallows in search of warmer water temperatures. At present, many rivers and streams are producing good numbers of trout, and the Rainy River near Baudette is providing anglers with lots of exciting sturgeon action!
Fishing opener dates for the 2011/2012 fishing season for most inland waters in Minnesota are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 14; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 28; muskie, June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. The fishing season for stream trout in streams is now open.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
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Northeast Minnesota
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The fishing season for lakes Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point will begin on the regularly scheduled fishing opener date for Minnesota's inland waters, May 14. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comEly
1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
www.visitcookcounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
The sturgeon season is open, and anglers are enjoying lots of excitement on the Rainy River. There have been many reports of nice-size fish being taken after a good long fight. For the most action, try anchoring in 13-18 feet of water and using a heavy jig with a few worms. The best locations have been the river mouth and Four Mile Bay. Northern pike action has picked up, with anglers finding good numbers in the weed beds up the river. The forecast calls for nice weather over the next few days, so now is a good time to head up for some great fishing action! 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The ice is gone from most of the smaller area lakes, and the remainder should be ice-free by this weekend. Perch spawn right after the ice goes out on the lakes, so anglers only have a short window of opportunity to fish for pre-spawn perch. Perch lay their eggs in strands on standing weeds, therefore the best approach is to use a jig and minnow under a bobber in these areas. Crappies and sunnies spawn when the water temperatures reach the mid-60s, so any movement early in the season is related to feeding, not spawning. Water temperature gauges are a valuable tool for anglers early in the spring. Crappies are moving into the warmest waters since this is where minnows tend to congregate this time of year. Areas to check out include boat channels, dark bottomed bays, inlets, backwaters and anywhere else where water temperatures are several degrees warmer than the main lake basin. Sunfish are also attracted to warmer waters with muddy bottoms where insects begin to hatch as soon as the ice has melted. Please note that Minnesota anglers will need to purchase 2011 fishing licenses to fish after April 30. Anglers are encouraged to purchase a walleye stamp, with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards stocking more walleye fry in Minnesota lakes. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
Angling has been very limited lately due to lingering ice. With a few more days of warm weather, wind and rain, the lakes should be fully accessible. A few anglers are beginning to fish for panfish at the north Long Lake access, which is a traditional early season area for crappies and bluegill. Light jigs tipped with a waxworm or small minnow suspended beneath a slip bobber will likely produce good numbers. Please note that fishing is not permitted in front of the culvert that runs beneath Highway 34. Area trout fishing has been good, with anglers reporting success on the Straight River. This stream is estimated to hold 8,000 brown trout per mile, offering anglers a chance for lots of exciting fishing action! 1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
The ice is pulling away from most shorelines, with some open water crappie and sunfish action already being reported. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona
1-877-833-2350;
www.visitlakemiltona.comPine River Area Lakes
The ice is off most of the smaller area lakes, and rapidly disappearing on the larger lakes such as Whitefish, Pelican, and even Leech. Anglers are able to launch their boats on the smaller bodies of water in search of early season panfish. Some are fishing from the docks and at the shallow channels and inlets. Look for the best action in the very shallow bays and backwaters with dark, muddy bottoms where the waters are warmest. These areas are the first to attract baitfish, which in turn attracts crappies and sunnies. For the most fish, use a small 1/16-ounce or smaller jig tipped with a small crappie minnow, waxworm, or small plastic bait, fished below a small bobber. 1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
While Whitefish and Cross lakes are still covered with large sheets of ice, both have open, fishable waters along their shorelines. Roughly half of the ice on Rush and Trout lakes has melted, and many of the smaller lakes are now ice-free. While crappie action has been slow due to recent cold temperatures, the activity is expected to change quickly with the warmer weather forecasted for later this week.
www.whitefish.org/content/fishingboatingBrainerd Lakes Area
Most of the ice has melted on area lakes. Currently, the crappies are also in a transitional phase, but after a few nice, warm days these hungry fish will move into the shallows. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
On Lake Mille Lacs, the bays and some of the main lake are now open, with anglers heading out in pursuit of crappies and perch. For the most fish, use small jigs tipped with a minnow. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Lakes throughout the Willmar vicinity are opening up, and shore anglers are taking many nice panfish. Some areas to check out include Elk Horn Lake Bay, Nest Lake Bay, near the Fish Trap on Lake Florida, and near Dilley's Resort on West Norway Lake. Those venturing out by boat should hit Diamond and Solomon lakes where nice fish are also being taken. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Fishing has been slow due to the cool weather. Anglers that have headed out are catching a few crappies on Little Green Lake behind the school, and near the Bayside Bar & Grille on South Lindstrom. The best action has been in the dark muddy bays, especially when using crappie minnows, wax worms and flu flu jigs. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.explorewhitebear.orgWaconia
On Lake Waconia, anglers report a slow start to the open water panfish season. Due to recent cold and wet weather, the water temperature remained at a cool 38-degrees on April 26. Some anglers are beginning to venture out on the nicer days, so reports should pick up soon. 952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City -Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country trout streams
As of Tuesday evening, April 26, the Pine Creek (Rush watershed) was in great condition, however rain had fallen all day long. Some excellent Dark Hendrickson hatches were reported on the South Fork Root River. There were some very intense caddis hatches on Trout Run and Gribben Creek. Hatches are expected to pick up again on Thursday and Friday following the cool rain. The 30 1/2-inch, 13-pound brown trout that was recently taken has been confirmed, and it is not brood stock as some had wondered. In fact, the DNR electfofish trout in this size category every couple of years. And as of April 27, conditions were reported to be muddy and high for Camp Creek, Duschee Creek, the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, and Mill Creek. Overall, the Whitewater River system was muddy, but water levels were normal. The stream banks and road shoulders were soft and muddy. On Thursday, April 28, Pine Creek, Rush Creek, and Beaver Creek at Whitewater State Park were mostly clear and normal. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Last weekend's fishing opener on Big Stone Lake started out very slow due to a combination of wet, soggy and cold weather, as well as Easter festivities. Few anglers ventured out onto the water until late Saturday. Those that caught fish said that while there weren't many netted, the fish that were taken were nice-sized. Sunday's break in the weather resulted in more fishing and additional fish. Walleye were caught by anglers jigging the shorelines from boats set over 4 feet of water, with fish also taken by anglers casting crankbaits or pitching jigs tipped with minnows into 1 foot water. Most of the fish taken were nice-size males. Just a few more days of warm temperatures should lead to an increase in action, and those competing in the Border Water Challenge this weekend expect it will be a good one! 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
