EXPLORE MINNESOTA FISHING REPORT MAY 12, 2011 While all Minnesota lakes are free of ice, the water temperatures remain very cold. Expect to find nearly all species of fish hovering in the shallows in search of warmer waters during this weekend's fishing opener. Most angling experts recommend using a jig and minnow combination, along with a slow presentation for the greatest numbers of fish. Most walleye will have completed their spawn, and these fish should be eager to bite!
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
Anglers are pulling lots of pike, some very large, from Rainy Lake. Fishing the weedy edges on the south side of rocky shorelines has been the most productive. Lures seem to be working the best. Some walleye have been caught accidentally in many of the same areas. Warming waters will lead to a change in patterns, and the opening of the inland fishing season may follow a series of wet days, which will also alter patterns. You may need to try a variety of presentations and locations to learn what's best! 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogama
The way things are shaping up, this could be one of the better openers for Lakes Kabetogama and Namakan in several years. The timing of the ice out, warm temperatures and calm waters should result in the end of the walleye spawning cycle a few days prior to the opener. The male walleye are expected to move into the shallows by opening day, and the females will be moving deeper to recover. For the keepers, hit the shallows on the opener, using light jigs, floating jigheads, or slip bobber rigs tipped with a minnow. Shoreline and dock anglers should be very satisfied this opener since conditions will be perfect for fishing these areas. The best minnow choices early in the season are fatheads or rainbows. Shiners may work well under a bobber. Light tackle will be a must for success. The west end of Kabetogama generally warms early due to more shallow waters - check out Tom Cod Bay, the Three Sisters, Cutover Island, and Peterson Bay. Anglers on the Ash River should head towards Kabetogama, and check out Wolf Island, inside Blunt Island in Nebraska Bay, the open shallows of Blind Ash Bay, and the shallow shorelines of Round Bear Island. 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
The ice is now off all area lakes, including Seagull, Sawbill, Clearwater and Gunflint - all lakes will be brimming with fish ready to bite! Since the water is very cold, expect the walleye to be clinging to the rocky shallows, looking for the warmest water. Lindy rigs should work best for walleye, as well as panfish, bass, trout, and most other fish found at cold rocky bottoms. Large pike will locate where they can ambush the smaller fish, which is usually the points leading into the bays, around the islands, and where rivers enter a lake. These fish are very hungry this time of year. The most effective lures are red and silver, or yellow "five of diamond" daredevils, jigs, rapalas, and even thundersticks. Steelhead are running in the rivers, and river fishing remains excellent for chinook and coho salmon. Anglers can also enjoy lots of stream trout action in the inland lakes on opener. One tip: avoid the rush at the counter and get your fishing license ahead of time so you can enjoy more time out on the water.
www.VisitCookCounty.comGrand Rapids
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette -Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
On Lake Of The Woods, area guides are expecting to see several trophy-size walleye pulled from the Rainy River, Four Mile Bay and the Lighthouse Gap this weekend since the spawn is occurring late this year. They also expect some above average catch rates. The winter run-off has ended, and the current water temperature is in the upper 40's this week. While the water is high, it is decreasing daily and clearing rapidly. Recommendations for the best walleye fishing are to hit the shallows, fishing depths of 8-15 feet of water this weekend. Try anchoring and jigging with a jig tipped minnow for the most success. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
While the walleye season opens this Saturday, May 14 at 12:01 a.m., the season also opens for northern pike and stream trout living in lakes. The seasons for bass and muskie open later to give these fish more time to complete their spawn. Water temperatures in most area lakes will be less than 50 degrees at the time of the opener. The most active walleye should be the males that have completed their spawning-cycle in the rivers. Many anglers like to fish the smaller lakes on a chain of lakes on the opener since these males are migrating through and feeding their way back to their home lakes. The female walleye, however, will head for the deep waters to rest after they spawn. The key areas for walleye on opening weekend should be the points, large shoreline-connected food shelves and bottle necks between lakes that are along the migration routes of the walleye returning to their home lakes. Rocks and broken cabbage weed beds offer baitfish and minnows some of the only cover available early in the season, so check these areas using jigs and minnows in 6-14 feet of water until you find a productive pattern. Shiner minnows are usually the most popular bait for walleye early in the season, but cold water temperatures and restrictions on transporting bait may make shiners tough to find - a good alternative is a larger fathead minnow or rainbow chub. Anglers may also want to bring a bobber rod along on the opener in case they run into a school of feeding crappies while fishing for walleye. Crappies have been moving into the shallows to feed in many lakes recently, so they give anglers another option if walleye fishing is slow. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.comWalker - Leech Lake
The Leech Lake fishing opener will be much different from the previous year due to a later ice out date of May 1, compared to April 6 in 2010! Walleye start spawning when the water is 45- to 49-degrees. Since water temperatures may reach the 50s by the opener, anglers may experience an aggressive post-spawn bite. Target the warmer waters found in the shallow bays or shoreline areas where depths run around 8 feet deep or more. Think small and slow, with a one-eighth ounce jig head tipped with a shiner minnow being the best presentation. Popular areas early in the season are Steamboat Bay in the Mounds Point area, and around the Joe's Landing shoreline located north of the west side of the big lake narrows. Depending on wind conditions, many anglers hope to fish the Big and Little Hardwoods, Stoney Point, Ottertail Point, Pine Point, the Duck Points, and the Grand Vu Flats. Last year, Portage Bay at the mouth of the Leech River produced lots of nice fish. For the best time out on the water, know the slot sizes, limits, and overall boating rules, and be prepared for some crowds at the accesses. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids
According to local Fisheries Supervisor Doug Kingsley, the walleye spawn occurred late in April, so anglers should have at least some success over the opener. Focus on the shallow flats found in 3-10 feet of water. For the most success, use a roach rig with a leech or nightcrawler, or try a fireball jig tipped with a medium-size shiner minnow. Since many of area lakes are very clear, hit the water early in the morning or during evening hours. Northern pike are expected to be very aggressive, and many area lakes are reported to offer above state averages for both numbers and size. For the most fish, use a reed runner spinnerbait in the shallows. This is the best time to catch a true trophy northern pike in the shallows - toss something flashy into the newly forming vegetation for some great action! Crappies and sunnies have been active, with anglers taking nice stringers from many area lakes. For some large slabs, use crappie minnows; for both species, use soft plastics. Spearers will find suckers starting to run on the natural lakes. River action has been good for the past couple weeks, and the suckers are just now moving into the shallows of area lakes to spawn. 1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit Lakes
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
Water temperatures remain cool in the Pine River area, so look for most walleye to be near spawning areas in relatively shallow waters especially on cloudy days. Night anglers will find walleye in water as shallow as two feet. A jig and minnow combination will work best, but smaller sizes are necessary due to cool water temperatures. Northern pike will be active on the shallow side of weedbeds, and will respond to jig and minnow combinations, as well as slip sinker combinations. Look for some great panfish action in shallow bays and backwater areas. All anglers should do well if they stick to the shallows. 1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes Area
www.whitefish.org/content/fishingboatingBrainerd Lakes Area
The weather looks like it will be cool and possibly moist during the Minnesota fishing opener, but that seems to be the trend! Jigging will be the key. Crappies and sunnies have been biting with consistency and the size has been good - a great fall back if the walleye bite is off. For walleye, try a 1/2-ounce fireball jig and a spot tail shiner worked in less than 14 feet of water. Casting and vertical jigging should both work well. Another presentation to consider is ? standard lindy rig. Anglers that like artificial bait should try a berkley gulp alive 3 inch emerald shiner. Remember, anyone traveling up Hwy 371 can get their crawlers, leeches and minnows at Mills Fleet Farm gas mart, and avoid the construction and hassle of venturing too far off the highway. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comIsle/Onamia -Lake Mille Lacs
Since water temperatures will be cool during opening weekend, use a slow presentation on Lake Mille Lacs. The best approach should be a leech under a bobber at the shallow rocks. Rigging with leeches on the sand and rocks will also be a good choice. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar
The shallow waters continue to produce nice-size crappies on Willmar, Foot, Nest, Elkhorn, Solomon and Diamond lakes. Cool temperatures are expected this Saturday and Sunday, which means the shallows will be best, especially in lakes such as Elizabeth, Big Kandiyohi, Lillian, Foot and Willmar. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.comTwin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
Everyone is looking forward to a great walleye opener this weekend. Walleye are in shallows in sandy areas. For the most fish, use a large leech or fat head minnow. At night, hit depths of 4-10 feet of water on the sand. Panfishing has been excellent on Chisago Lake. Crappies can be found suspended in 6-12 feet of water, especially in the channel between Chisago and South Lindstrom lakes. Fish are also being taken on the north end of North Center Lake when using crappie minnows, flu flu jigs and waxworms. 651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area Lakes
651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia
Mother Nature has challenged Minnesota anglers and boaters this spring, but as the saying goes, "Nothing worth waiting for comes easy!" As of today, May 12, water temperatures have risen to above 50 degrees on Lake Waconia. The water level is 16-inches higher than it was last fall. Creek and surface water is actively running in and out of the lake. While water clarity is low and visibility is roughly 4 feet down or less, the water is getting clearer each day. 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 Monday, May 9, most streams were reported to be in muddy and high. Off and high conditions were reported for Forestville Creek and the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park. As of Tuesday, May 10, streams were settling down. Duschee Creek was clearing up, and Forestville Creek and South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park were reported to just be slightly high and a little off in color, however, these conditions are actually great for trout fishing! Reports for the Whitewater Stream as of May 11 were that the general watershed was wet. The water flows were normal, and the streams remained cloudy. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes
1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert Lea
Anglers fishing Fountain Lake are pulling in good numbers of crappies, catfish and perch! The best bite has been on jig and minnow combinations. Some areas to check out include Blackmer Bridge, The Channel, and near Highway 13 by the Bayview Funeral Home. 1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
A typical spring "catching pattern" continues to be reported by walleye anglers fishing Big Stone Lake. The shallows are giving up the most fish, with catches consisting of mostly males. The best approach is to pitch a jig tipped with minnow, with shad raps cast toward the shoreline also working well. Some anglers reported success when working the rock piles with minnows under slip bobbers. Most of the action is taking place during late afternoon and evening hours. Dock fishermen are reporting a good bite between 8:30 p.m. and dark. Anglers fishing from boats are concentrating on the Bayview area north on the South Dakota side of the lake, up past SoDak Supper Club. Others have had limited success working the islands area. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
