May 5, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing Report Nearly all Minnesota lakes are now free of ice, offering anglers a chance to fish from shore and from boat in all areas of the state. Fish are moving into the shallows, in search of warmer waters. More and more anglers are heading out after them - more reports should be available next week. In addition to some great panfish action, anglers fishing rivers and streams are taking good numbers of trout, and quite a few giant sturgeon are being pulled from the Rainy River near Baudette!
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.
International Falls -Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
The sturgeon tag season will close Saturday, May 7 on the Rainy River. Quite a few anglers have pulled in some of these monster fish, with anglers allowed to keep one fish during open season. The ice is out on Rainy Lake, and conditions look good for the fishing opener May 14. The trees and land are greening up, and migrating birds offer incredible wildlife watching opportunities. 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
The season opener is right around the corner, and anglers from throughout the country are expected to descend upon area lakes for some of the finest walleye and northern pike fishing anywhere. Walleye anglers will want to hit the moving waters near streams and rivers leading into the larger lakes, such as the falls on Fall Lake, the tail waters of Newton and Pipestone Falls, and Silver Rapids on White Iron Lake. These areas are very productive, but can be busy early in the season. There are other excellent locations as well where it is possible not to encounter another boat all day. Wherever you fish, search the gravel bars and points where walleye will be staging after they spawn. Try trolling rapala style baits and spinners tipped with a minnow pulled behind a bottom bouncer. Once you locate a school of walleye, switch over to a jig tipped with a minnow or leech to refine your search. Northern pike fishing is also exceptional this time of year. Check the weedlines and docks near shore since these fish like to lurk before ambushing their prey in the shallows. The best approach is to cast or troll large spoons and spinners - for a more laid back approach, use large sucker minnows under a bobber in the same vicinity. 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
As the ice melts and the rocky rivers swell with fast moving waters, trout anglers are standing near Lake Superior's shoreline where the rivers enter the big lake in the hopes of landing a trout, Chinook, or coho salmon. The beautiful colorations of these fish show up well in cold, clear water near the shoreline. Brown trout, also known as Lake Superior salmon, generally hit in the shallows from April through June. Steelhead have been active throughout themonth of April and will remain so into May in most of Lake Superior's tributaries. While gone are the buckets of fish taken during the smelt runs of the of the 60's and 70's, hardy anglers continue to standing in North Shore rivers and shallow shores hoping to net a few of these 6- to 9-inch silvery fish. Check the Lester, Knife, Gooseberry, Baptism, Cross, Temperance, Poplar and Cascade tributaries, especially at night since these fish are sensitive to light. All you need is your fishing license, waders, net and a bucket to seine some of these fine fish.
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 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. Now is a good time to head up for some great fishing action! 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
The lakes are open and the weather is finally starting to feel more like spring. Many of the walleye have already spawned in the rivers connected to the lakes - walleye that spawn in area lakes, however, are just beginning the process. Water temperatures are expected to be cold on the fishing opener, even if there is a significant warm-up between now and May 14. Anglers should find the most active walleye on lakes where the fish have spawned in the connecting rivers, with these fish having had time to recover from the spawn. In area chains of lakes, many of the male walleye will be actively feeding. For the most fish, use a jig tipped with a shiner minnow, especially in depths of less than 10 feet of water. Look for old cabbage weed flats and shallow rocks which provide the only cover for baitfish and minnows this time of year. Crappie and sunfish action is increasing on some lakes, however, many of these fish are still holding in deep waters adjacent to the shallows waiting for the waters to warm. The public docks are going in this week at most of the public accesses, so anglers will be able to launch their boats and give everything a test run before May 14. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
Water temperatures in area lakes remain very cool. The walleye and suckers are just beginning to move into the rivers, but not yet in large quantities. Spawning for these species is expected to take place later than usual. Panfish anglers, however, are experiencing some decent action in the smaller bays. For crappies, try a crappie minnow on a tiny jig - for some large bluegills, use a small ice jig, such as a Northland Hexi Fly, tipped with a bunch of waxworms. Most of the panfish activity has taken place in less than 6 feet of water. 1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
The warm stable weather and sunshine earlier this week should have moved the crappies and sunnies into the shallow bays along the warmer north ends of area lakes. Please use extreme caution since a fall into these frigid waters could lead to hypothermia in just a matter of minutes. 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
1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.org/content/fishingboatingBrainerd Lakes Area
The crappies are moving into the shallows, and locals expect to take lots of nice fish this weekend. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
Anglers are heading out onto Lake Mille Lacs in pursuit of crappies and perch. For the most fish, use small jigs tipped with a minnow. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
Weather conditions have improved, resulting in a surge in panfish action! Shore anglers on Willmar, Foot, Nest and Elkhorn lakes are reporting lots of nice-size crappies. Anyone venturing out by boat, should check out Solomon and Diamond lakes - both are giving up some very large crappies in the shallows! Still, don't be fooled by the sunny skies - continue to bundle up and play it safe. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Anglers are catching sunnies and crappies on the south end of Chisago Lake in the A-Frame area, as well as on the north end of North Center Lake. The most productive technique has been a waxworm on a flu flu jig under a slip bobber. Anglers also report some good panfish action in the bay below the Dinnerbell. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
Late last week, anglers were reporting a slow start to the open water panfish season on Lake Waconia. Due to recent cold and wet weather, the water temperature remained at a cool 38-degrees the last week of April. Some anglers were beginning to venture out on the nicer days. 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 Thursday, May 5, most streams were reported to be in excellent condition. Clear and normal conditions were reported for Camp Creek, Rush Creek, Duschee Creek, Forestville Creek, Gribben Creek, the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park, Trout Run, Mill Creek, and the entire Whitewater River system. Wisel Creek and the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro were considered off, but normal. Caddis were coming off by noon each day, and the trout have been eager to rise up to them. Blue-winged olives were still scattered about when conditions were overcast. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
Crappies are biting near the Hatch Bridge on Fountain Lake. Perch anglers are taking good numbers from the channel between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes. 1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
Anglers reported lots of aggressive walleye prior to the annual Border Water Challenge on Big Stone Lake last weekend. Unfortunately, the South Dakota winds started blowing and stirred things up Friday afternoon into Sunday. Tournament anglers had a difficult time with the fish, and most recreational anglers avoided the water completely. Now that the weather has turned more stable, anglers should be able to relocate the walleye by pitching jigs tipped with a minnow, and casting shad raps into 1-2 feet of water. Most of these fish are running 15- to 19-inches. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
