June 9, 2011 Explore Minnesota Fishing ReportAnglers are beginning to switch from jig and minnow combinations to live bait rigs tipped with leeches, nightcrawlers or larger minnows now that the walleye are moving out of the shallows, headed for deeper waters. Warmer waters are causing patterns to change, allowing anglers to try more aggressive presentations such as crankbaits and spinner rigs.
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.
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Walleye are being pulled from less than 15 feet of water in Black and Jackfish bays on Rainy Lake, and have not moved to the mid-lake reefs yet. Crappies are also being caught in Black Bay, and large northern pike are a possibility at the weedy entrance to any of the south shore bays. Smallmouth bass are guarding nesting areas and can be quite aggressive, with artificial frogs and crayfish working well. 1-800-325-5766;
www.rainylake.orgKabetogamaOn Kabetogama and Namakan lakes, the water is warming up, pushing crappies into the shallows. The walleye should soon establish typical early summer patterns as well. Expect the bite to be best in 22-28 feet of water during the day, with fish found at 26 feet late last week. Early mornings and evenings may bring fish into the shallows in pursuit of the baitfish. The west end of Kabetogama has many shallow bays and inlets that favor baitfish, and mid-Kabetogama has some of the better island structure for drifting and trolling crankbaits. Many of the island structures on Namakan Lake have soft bottom shorelines, as well as defined breaklines that are also perfect for drifting and trolling. Use a slow speed and light tackle as the bite is very light, with slip sinker rigs or light jigs at or near the bottom working best. Some anglers report success when using shad raps off the shorelines at 15-19 feet of water, especially during evening hours. Try to fish the windward shorelines whenever possible. The Minnesota DNR reports that Sand Point Lake has a good population of keeper-sized fish, so this might be worth a boat trip. As the waters warm, look for leeches and crawlers to be the bait of choice. 1-800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comElyThe walleye bite remains strong in Ely area lakes. Lindy style rigs tipped with minnows, leeches or crawlers have been effective. Once you locate fish, switch over to a jig and work the area more thoroughly. The majority of fish have been taken from shallower waters, such as 6-12 foot depths, with some good catches also coming from 4-8 feet early and late in the day. Shagawa, White Iron and Fall lakes have been top producers. Smallmouth bass are also active in the shallows, and beginning to hit spinners and topwater baits worked near the beds. Large northern pike are attacking spoons and large rapalas worked near the emerging weeds and at the points. Large suckers under a bobber have been producing pike up to 44-inches in length! Crappies are beginning to show up in shoreline areas as they prepare to spawn. White Iron, Garden and Low lakes are giving up limits to anglers using jigs tipped with small minnows under a slip bobber. And lake trout anglers have had lots of success the past two weeks, with fish up to twelve pounds taken on spoons and trolled crankbaits worked in 30-50 feet of water on Burntside and Snowbank lakes. This season is shaping up to be one of the best in years! 1-800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook/Tower - Lake Vermilion1-800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
The lake trout are biting in all of the Gunflint Trail lakes. Anglers are having the most success using trolled spoons and rapalas. On Leo and Duncan lakes, rainbow trout action remains excellent, with hungry fish moving out of the high columns. On Clearwater Lake, just 25 miles northeast of Grand Marais, two happy anglers registered a 28-inch and a 29-inch walleye. These fish were pulled from roughly 15 feet of water on live rigs and jigs. On Gunflint Lake, just before entering the BWCAW, fishing guides report lots of walleye, lake trout and bass action. Sawbill Lake, northeast of Tofte, is giving up lots of large smallmouth bass. On Caribou Lake, the walleye are hitting leeches and minnows, and feisty northerns are coming in on trolled spoons, as well as sucker minnows and bobbers.
www.VisitCookCounty.com
Grand Rapidswww.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy RiverAs of late last week, Zippel Bay, the Lighthouse Gap, and Morris Point were the hot spots on Lake of the Woods. Anchoring and jigging with a brightly colored jig in 23-26 feet of water was the most productive method for walleye. Fishing continues to improve as water temperatures increase. Up at the Angle, fishing was also good, with anglers taking lots of fish from 10-20 feet on brightly colored jigs. 1-800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidjiThe hot temperatures earlier this week caused the bass, sunfish and crappies to finally start moving onto their spawning beds. Surface water temperatures in most lakes broke the 60-degree mark. Walleye continue to feed at the shoreline structure, but more walleye are leaving these areas and heading for deeper water. The cabbage weed beds are growing rapidly in the clear waters, and the vegetation is reaching surface levels in many locations. The cabbage weed beds offer shade and cover for minnows and larger fish, so the most developed weed beds often attract the most fish. The midge hatches have begun in deep water, and more insects will begin to hatch out of the mud basin in many lakes as the water temperatures continue to rise. Once the walleye have left the shoreline structure, the jig and minnow bite will end and many anglers will need to switch to live bait rigs tipped with leeches, larger minnows or nightcrawlers. Anglers can begin to try more aggressive presentations for the walleye, such as bottom-bouncers and spinner rigs, or artificial baits like crankbaits or jigs and plastics. While bass fishing is easy when these fish move onto their spawning beds, anglers should release them quickly near the spot where they were caught so they can return to their beds. Muskie anglers have been catching a few fish, with bucktail spinners and surface baits worked over the tops of the emerging weed beds being the most successful presentations. 1-800-458-2223;
www.visitbemidji.com
Cass LakeOn Cass Lake, walleye are hitting jigs tipped with shiners, and lindy set-ups tipped with leeches in 18-20 foot depths on calm days, and in 12-15 foot depths on windy days. Northern pike are hitting minnows under bobbers near the new cabbage weeds. Panfish are active in 4-6 feet of water in Allen's Bay and Grace Lake. Bass and muskie reports have been few. Kitchi Lake is producing a few walleye and lots of sunnies and crappies. On Lake Winnibigoshish, anglers experienced lots of action last week when using 1/8-ounce fireballs and gumballs tipped with a shiner in 6 feet of water. This week, the water temperature has been hovering in the upper 50's. 1-800-356-8615;
www.casslake.comWalker - Leech LakeDespite unstable weather, the walleye action remains strong on Leech Lake. During last weekend's Leech Lake Walleye Tournament, 155 non-professional anglers recorded more than 800 catch-and-release walleye, along with lots of additional slot fish not counted in the total! Most of these anglers felt very positive about the Leech Lake walleye population. The many humps of Walker Bay are great for large walleye, and Steamboat Bay produced lots of good catches last weekend. The main lake gives up the most fish on days with wind so when the winds blew from the east during the tournament it resulted in lots of action at the Hardwoods and Goose Island. This week's westerly winds led to some great catches in 10-12 feet of water at both Duck Points. Submarine and Pelican islands are giving up some large fish, and Five Mile Point is producing many good eating-size fish. The jumbo perch bite remains strong, with fish hitting jig and minnow combinations. Walleye anglers report that fish are now responding better to lindy rigs tipped with a leech or nightcrawler. 1-800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comPark Rapids1-800-247-0054;
www.parkrapids.comDetroit LakesAnglers are having success with all species of fish! Walleye anglers are pulling lots of fish from the shoreline breaks, as well as the inside and outside edges of the cabbage weeds. Some are plucking fish out of the cabbage on leeches under slip bobbers. Minnows, leeches and crawlers are all working well on jig and live bait rigs. Some are even having success trolling crankbaits on the flats during low light hours. Bass, crappie and sunfish anglers all report great catches. The bass are wrapping up their spawn, with some still on their shallow beds. Crappies have started to move out of the shallows on most lakes - check the first break out from the spawning areas, with most fish found suspended. The most productive lakes have been Sallie, Big Detroit, Pelican, Island, The Pines and Otter Tail. And muskie hunters are out in full force, with good numbers of catch-and-release fish coming from Detroit and Pelican lakes on bait cast over the cabbage weeds. 1-800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area1-800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comMiltona1-877-833-2350;
www.VisitLakeMiltona.com
Pine River Area Lakes1-800-728-6926;
www.pinerivermn.comWhitefish Chain of Lakes AreaWalleye are active on all area lakes. Anglers are taking the most fish on lindy rigs tipped with shiner minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches. The daytime bite is taking place in 18-24 feet of water - during evening hours hit depths of 4-8 feet, or try casting floating rapalas into the shallows. Northern pike are hitting fast-moving crankbaits, spinnerbaits and rigs worked along the weedlines. Bass are holding in depths of 3-6 feet, and hitting slow-moving weightless worm rigs. For the most action, pitch the worm rigs towards submerged objects. Crappies can still be found in the vertical vegetation in 4-6 feet of water. Try small jigs tipped with crappie minnows or worms for the best numbers. Big Trout Lake is giving up a few lake trout, including one measuring 35-inches, 16.5-pounds!
http://www.whitefish.orgBrainerd Lakes AreaWalleye are being taken at night on crankbaits and shiner minnows worked in six feet of water along the south end of Gull Lake. During the day, the north end has been best when using minnows in depths of 8-15 feet. Round and North Long lakes are producing walleye on shiners and leeches worked in 8-15 feet of water. Bass and northern pike have been an easy catch in the shallows of most area lakes. While bass fishing is easy when these fish move onto their spawning beds, anglers should release them quickly near the spot where they were taken so they can return to their beds. For panfish, hit the Highway 371 Bay on North Long Lake, as well as the shallows on Cullen Lake. Towards the city of Crosby, limits of trout are being taken from Huntington, Pennington, Manuel and Snowshoe pits. Spinnerbaits are producing northern pike on Lower Mission, East Rabbit and Big Mahnomen lakes. Walleye are coming from 12-14 and 24-28 feet of water on Serpent and Bay lakes on long lindy rigs tipped with shiner minnows or nightcrawlers. The shallow rocks on Serpent, Bay, Clearwater and Black Hoof lakes are holding numbers of bass. Panfish action remains strong in the shallows of lakes Greer, Black, Adney, and Little Black Hoof. 1-800-450-2838;
www.explorebrainerdlakes.comAitkinThe walleye seem to be in transition, moving out of the shoreline breaks to the mid-lake structure on Farm Island Lake. On Waukenabo Lake, the largemouth bass bite has been great when using worms at the emerging bulrushes. Northern pike action has also been very good, with most area lakes giving up fish to anglers pitching jigs and sucker minnows along the weedlines. Several 30-plus inch pike were caught this week, along with one catch-and-release fish measuring 37-inches. Crappie action has slowed somewhat, but the bluegill bite is picking up in shallows of Waukenabo and Pine lakes. On the north side of Lake Mille Lacs, walleye have been active in 17-25 feet at the sand breaks and flats, hitting large and jumbo leeches on long lindy rigs fished slowly. A red or chartreuse hook is recommended. During evening hours, the bobber bite remains strong in 8-14 feet of water at the rocks along shore - many of these walleye measured over the 18-inch protected slot limit. Water temperatures have been in the upper-50s on windy days, and in the low 60s on sunny days. 1-800-526-8342;
www.aitkin.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille LacsOn Lake Mille Lacs, the north end sand bite is slowing a bit, with fish dropping off into the deeper breaks, especially towards the northeast corner. The mud flats and some of the traditional early gravel spots are also producing fish. Shallow shoreline areas continue to hold plenty of fish during evening hours - try 12 feet or less in the evening using a slip bobber and leech. Yellow and red have worked well. Look slightly deeper during the day using a leech or crawler on a live bait rig. The surface water temperature is roughly 60-degrees. 1-888-350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmarFishing has been great, with anglers taking fish from nearly every lake in the Willmar Lakes Area. Solomon, Ringo and Long lakes are producing lots of walleye, northern pike and crappies. Anglers are pulling walleye and smallmouth bass from Green Lake. Eagle Lake has been excellent for panfish action. Big Kandiyohi and Elizabeth lakes are also giving up panfish. Baits currently producing fish are spottail shiners, fatheads, leeches and crawlers. 1-800-845-8747;
www.seeyouinwillmar.com
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinityNortheast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area651/257-1177;
www.chisagolakeschamber.comWhite Bear Lake Area LakesMost species of fish have become more active due to the increase in water temperatures on White Bear and Bald Eagle lakes. Panfish and bass are hitting minnows and leeches in the shallows. Northern pike are attacking spinner baits. Some muskie have been pulled from Bald Eagle and White Bear lakes, with fish measuring 38- to 43-inches. A few walleye are coming in on leeches and fathead minnows. 651/653-5122;
www.ExploreWhiteBear.orgWaconia952/442-5812;
www.destinationwaconia.orgSouthern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River1-877-525-3248;
www.lakecitymn.orgLanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country trout streamsAs of June 2, Light Hendricksons were seen in Houston County and some Fillmore County streams. While not heavy, there were enough to create some nice nymph fishing. Stable weather patterns will spur them on. As of June 6, conditions were clear and normal for Forestville Creek, Pine Creek, Trout Run and Winnebago Creek - the Whitewater River system was considered clear and normal on June 3. Conditions were off or slightly off and normal for Wisel Creek, Camp Creek, and the South Branch Root River at Forestville State Park. And Duschee Creek and the South Branch Root River at Lanesboro were considered muddy and slightly high. 1-800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comFaribault Area Lakes1-800-658-2354;
www.visitfaribault.comAlbert LeaFountain Lake is producing good numbers of walleye on leeches worked in the channel. Crappies and perch are extremely active during evening hours in the channel. 1-800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes1-800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville - Big Stone LakeWalleye anglers continue to take fish from Big Stone Lake. Anglers venturing out are having to exert a bit more effort, however, they continue to take limits of fish. The bite has slowed on the south end due to excessive weed growth, so anglers have been concentrating on other locations and have been pleased with the results. The bottom bouncer/spinner/crawler combination remains the favorite for most anglers, but some are beginning to have success when pulling crankbaits and lindy rigs with minnows. Dock anglers have reported a good bite using crappie rigs and minnows. For the most action, fish during low light hours, or on days with cloud cover and some wind. The water clarity is forcing the walleye to head deeper earlier in the day, and anglers are finding these fish by trolling over the weeds or working depths of 12-14 feet. The white bass are also starting to become more aggressive. 1-800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
