Explore Minnesota Fishing Report April 26, 2012
This Saturday, April 28 is the walleye fishing opener on the St. Croix River, a Minnesota/Wisconsin border water. This weekend's cool, but more stable weather patterns will make it a great time to hit the water. Remember, the fishing opener for most other Minnesota waters is right around the corner--now is the time to start planning your next fishing trip.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2012/2013 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: walleye, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 12; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 26; muskie, June 2. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Please note that seasons and regulations vary for certain boundary waters and some individual lakes and rivers--consult the Minnesota DNR Fishing Seasons and Minnesota DNR Fishing Regulations websites for the most current information. And don't miss the 2012 Governor's Fishing Opener held May 12 in the city of Waconia on Lake Waconia, the second largest lake in the Twin Cities area!
International Falls - Rainy Lake & the Rainy River
Anglers on the border waters are concentrating on the short sturgeon tag season that is underway on Rainy River. There is a slot limit that protects large breeding sturgeon, but you can catch and tag a good-sized sturgeon weighing nearly 100-pounds. The best sturgeon fishing is near International Falls below the dam, and the Ron Hall Access on Shorewood Drive is the closest launch. Another popular spot is upstream from the Littlefork River near Pelland Junction--the nearest ramp is the Kuttes Access just east of the intersection of Highways 11 and 71. 800-325-5766
Kabetogama
800-524-9085
Ely
800-777-7281
Cook/Tower - Lake Vermilion
800-648-5897
Cook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Most North Shore rivers have experienced a surge in activity, with lots of trout anglers in waders casting for trout, and anglers wearing tall rubber boots seining for smelt. The smelt are tiny, silver fish which are relatively easy to clean, and very tasty when dipped in batter and deep-fried--some people consider it officially spring once they've had their first smelt fry of the year! Brook trout anglers are pulling fish from numerous rivers that rush into Lake Superior, including the Kadunce and Brule rivers along Highway 61, between Grand Marais and Hovland. Brook trout thrive in these smaller streams with good water quality, holding in the shallow pools and riffles. No need for a boat, motor, depth locator, or expensive tackle! All that is needed is a spin-caster, box of hooks, pair of hip boots, some nightcrawlers, and of course a fishing license and trout stamp. This is a great way to experience the abundant natural beauty and flourishing resources the area has to offer. And it's not uncommon to encounter an expert trout angler fishing a favorite river spot--these folks typically enjoy assisting and mentor newcomers to the streams!
Duluth - Lake Superior
800-438-5884
Northwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lots of large sturgeon are coming in, with fish over 65-inches being reported! Many fish measuring in the high 50s and low 60s have been released. Deeper waters seem to be best, with anglers having success in 40-plus feet of water at the mouth of the Rainy River. The best approach has been a sinker and 18" lead and hook loaded with crawlers. As of April 24, anglers with a sturgeon tag may keep one sturgeon measuring between 45- and-50 inches. The previous catch-and-release season was excellent! The northern pike season is continuous on Lake of the Woods and in the Rainy River--these are most likely to be found entering the back bays in search of food. 800-382-FISH
Bemidji
The spring warm-up has been slow, with surface water temperatures inching their way into the mid- to upper-40s in most area lakes. A few of the backwater areas are pushing above 50-degrees late in the afternoon on sunny days. Most crappies and sunnies have been holding in the deeper water, close to areas they will move to once water temperatures remain at least 50-degrees overnight. A few fish have been moving into the shallows to feed late in the day, after the sun has had a chance to warm the water. Sunfish usually like shallow muddy areas with a dark bottom since these areas are full of insects. Crappies usually prefer a clean, hard bottom because they prefer hunting minnows. Perch have already spawned in most of the lakes--perch in shallows are mostly males, with the female perch holding in deeper waters while they recover from the spawn. River spawning walleye are finally finishing their spawn. Lake spawning walleye generally begin their spawn when the river walleye are finishing up. Many of the docks at the public accesses were set up this week, so anglers will have a good opportunity to do a test run before the opener. Anglers need to have a new invasive species sticker on their boats and boat trailers this spring before they can launch their boats in the water--these stickers are available at area DNR offices, some bait stores and state licensing centers. 800-458-2223
Cass Lake
800-356-8615
Bena - Lake Winnibigoshish
218/665-2368
Walker - Leech Lake
800-833-1118
Park Rapids
Some anglers have been doing well, catching limits of large crappies and bluegills. The best bet for panfish has been in depths of 6-10 feet of water where fish are staging just outside of their spawning bays. These spawning areas are typically very shallow and range from tiny backwater bays to protected pockets in reeds and cattails. The slightly deeper areas with submerged weeds just outside have been best. Productive techniques have been a tiny jig tipped with a crappie minnow, suspended below a float--a float with an ice jig tipped with a couple of maggots has also worked well. A 1/32-ounce jig tipped with a plastic bait was produced fish for some anglers. For all combinations, cast the jig as far as you can and keep your rod tip high upon retrieval--a light line and a long rod will help with distance. No need to jig the bait, just let it swing toward the boat in a pendulum fashion, taking up line when needed and repeating the process. The stream trout season is now open and anglers reported decent action on opening weekend. One area stream, the Straight River, is considered one of the best trout streams in the Upper Midwest, with a trout population estimated at 8,000 trout per mile of stream. 800-247-0054
Detroit Lakes
The panfish bite has been very good in waters throughout the Detroit Lakes area. While the many fronts have made it difficult to pinpoint hot spots, when the temperatures are warm and the sun is shining, the shallow water bite has been great. The smaller lakes and darker, shallow bays have been the most productive areas, especially when using jigs and small minnows under a slip bobber. Some of the clearer, deeper lakes will start begin producing good numbers once water temperatures rise, extending the crappie bite well past the fishing opener. 800-542-3992
Central Region
Otter Tail Lakes Area
Area lake levels are on average 2.6 feet below last year's levels, however the recent 3.3 inch rainfall on Deer Lake caused the water levels to rise 4 inches. Anglers are finding bass and panfish in the shallow, warm bays with good vegetation close to shore, especially on the northern side of the lakes. 800-423-4571
Pine River
800-728-6926
Brainerd Lakes Area
800-450-2838
Aitkin Area Lakes/Northern Lake Mille Lacs
800-526-8342
Isle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
888-350-2692
Willmar
Fishing remains good in the shallow waters and culvert areas on Willmar, Foot, Nest, Florida and Norway lakes. Anglers are reporting lots of nice sunnies and crappies coming from the lakes. This weekend should offer stable conditions for a test run on the water! 800-845-8747
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
Taylors Falls/St. Croix Falls
Anglers are excited for this Saturday, April 28. when the walleye fishing season will open on the the St. Croix River, a Minnesota/Wisconsin border water. This early walleye fishing is only allowed on the section of the St. Croix River running from Danbury, Wisconsin to Prescott, Wisconsin. 715/483-3580
Northeast Metro/Chisago Lakes Area
651/257-1177
White Bear Area Lakes
On White Bear Lake, the crappies and sunnies are biting in roughly 6-8 feet of water. On Bald Eagle Lake, the crappie bite has been best on the north end, also in depths of 6-8 feet. Anglers fishing White Bear Lake are reporting greater success with the sunfish. 651/653-5122
Waconia
Lake Waconia started off with a bang in April, with good numbers of crappies coming from 7-9 feet of water in Waconia Bay. A good perch bite was also being reported. Area businesses are gearing up for the upcoming Governor's Fishing Opener held in Waconia on Saturday, May 12, with a community picnic offered Friday afternoon, May 11. 952/442-5812
And don't miss The Minnesota Teen Challenge Banquet held at Lord Fletchers on Lake Minnetonka, Friday night, May 4. Ron Schara and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder will host this event. And on Saturday, May 5, check out or participate in the 44th Annual Minnesota Bound Crappie Contest, also on Lake Minnetonka, with $50,000 in prizes awarded!
Southern Minnesota
Lake City - Lake Pepin/Pool #4 Mississippi River
877-525-3248
Lanesboro - Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of Friday, April 20, all area rivers and streams were low and clear, however lots of rain over the past few days was expected to result in a slight increase in water levels and a decrease in water clarity. Midges were coming off the streams during morning hours, following by caddis with some blue-winged olives. Fishing has been very good over the past few weeks. For detailed fishing maps showing defined property lines and easements, check out Trout Angling: Southern Minnesota.
800-944-2670
Rochester - Southeast Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
800-634-8277
Faribault Area Lakes
800-658-2354
Albert Lea
800-345-8414
Fairmont Area Lakes
800-657-3280
Ortonville - Big Stone Lake
Last weekend's fishing opener on Big Stone Lake started out a bit soggy and windy, typical weather for this early season opener. Hardy anglers were rewarded with some nice walleye measuring 15- to 19-inches. Several limits were taken. The majority of walleye were taken early on while it was raining--once the sun broke through, the action ended. One angler took advantage of the westerly wind and launched from Hiawatha Beach, sliding down the shoreline and catching two walleye right away. A couple of boats filled with anglers had success anchoring at points and tossing out a slip bobber. The favorite spots appeared to be all along the north side of the lake, including Smiley Face, Linden Beach, and just below Hartford Beach and on up to Hiawatha. Jigs tipped with a minnow have been the key to success, although some anglers did have some luck with leeches. As expected, most of the walleye taken were males found lurking in the shallows. 800-568-5722
