Explore Minnesota Weekly Fishing Update -May 16, 2014 Last weekend, a family from northwest Iowa stayed at a resort on one of the smaller lakes in Otter Tail Lakes Country. On Sunday of the opener, the father took the two youngest boys out on the dock to fish. They stayed until 2 a.m., leaving after catching 12 walleyes right off the end of the dock. According to the father, "It was brutally cold, but something I will never forget." Needless to say, they can’t wait to return.
Expect walleye and crappie action to improve as water temperatures warm. Continue to use small tackle and a slow presentation for the most fish. This weekend should be even better than the opener!
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2014/2015 Fishing Season for most inland waters are as follows: walleyes, sauger, northern pike and lake trout, May 10; largemouth and smallmouth bass, May 24; muskie, June 7. 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 web pages for the most current information.
Anglers may obtain fishing licenses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-665-4236, or accessing DNR License Sales.
This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
Northeast Minnesota
Kabetogama
Many anglers had lots of success on Lake Kabetogama during last weekend’s opener, with good numbers taken to the east, west and north of the Ash River Visitor Center. On the west end shoreline, anglers did have to move from area to area as the ice sheet shifted. Anglers were also getting fish all the way up to Tar Point on Lake Namakan. In addition to plenty of walleyes and northern pike, anglers took lots of saugers, some perch and a few crappies. The shallow water bite was on for all species, whether fishing from boat, dock or shoreline! Both lakes should be free of ice by this weekend. 800-524-9085;
www.kabetogama.comTower -Lake Vermilion
It was a great fishing opener on Lake Vermilion! The walleyes were very cooperative, with quite a few large walleyes caught by anglers trolling rapalas; anglers using minnows did very well with the eating sized walleyes. Jigs, lindy rigs and slip bobbers all produced good numbers of walleyes in depths that ranged from 12-42 feet. 800-648-5897;
www.lakevermilionresorts.comEly
It was quite an adventure last weekend, with sheets of ice still floating around on many of the lakes. But, anglers made the most of it and enjoyed excellent fishing where open water access could be found. Many anglers ventured out onto Fall Lake which was the first to open due to the current flowing towards Basswood Lake and beyond. Most of these anglers were rewarded for their efforts, along with anglers fishing White Iron Lake; moving water was definitely the key to success with the walleyes. Most of the fish were taken on jigs tipped with rainbow minnows, but crawlers also produced some fish. Northern pike were somewhat active, but most of those caught were on the smaller side. All lakes should be free of ice by this weekend. 800-777-7281;
www.ely.orgCook County: Lutsen-Tofte, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, and Grand Portage
Some anglers enjoyed a unique experience last weekend: a two line opener! According to the Minnesota DNR, anglers possessing the proper permits may use two lines as long as they are fishing through a hole in the ice, rather than open water. What an adventure! Anglers may still be able to enjoy such an experience on the larger Gunflint Trail lakes this coming weekend!
www.visitCookCounty.comDuluth/Grand Marais - Lake Superior
Last weekend, water levels on Lower Shore rivers were dropping and clarity was improving, but they were still running higher than normal. River temperatures ranged from 42 degrees in the mornings up to nearly 50 degrees in the afternoons. Fishing pressure was relatively low, except on Saturday. Interviewed anglers landed 14 Kamloops, 4 steelhead, 4 brook trout and 1 sucker. Along the Middle Shore, rivers were also dropping and conditions were improving. Water temperatures were 44-47 degrees. Angling pressure was light, and interviewed anglers reported generally poor fishing, catching 2 steelhead and 2 suckers. Along the Upper Shore, rivers were maintaining high flows, so much so that the larger rivers were difficult for anglers to fish. Water temperatures were 40-44 degrees. Angling pressure was light and interviewed anglers landed 2 steelhead and 1 brook trout. Trap totals through May 12 were 193 steelhead and 13 Kamloops for the Knife River, and 123 Kamloops and 7 steelhead for the French River. Some smelt activity has been reported. For more on the smelt run, refer to the "Smelt on the North Shore" fact sheet.
Grand Rapids
Walleye and northern pike action is heating up, paralleling the rising water temperatures. Expect the bite to continuously increase, with additional hot spots to develop, especially in lakes with deep and shallow structure. Many lakes in the Grand Rapids area are giving up good numbers of fish, including Winnie and Cut Foot Sioux, along with Bowstring, Leech and Pokegama. Fish traditional shallow water structure found in 4-12 feet of water using a jig and minnow combination. For locating concentrated fish, look for warm waters which are generally on the northern sides of the lakes. Also look for inlet and outlets of moving current, weed beds, and sand flats close to gravel and rock structures.
www.visitgrandrapids.comNorthwest Minnesota
Baudette - Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Lake of the Woods had a fabulous opener despite having ice on the lake for the second year in a row. With the water temperatures still cold, anglers fished open water in shallow depths close to shore in the Rainy River, and at The Lighthouse Gap, Four Mile Bay, Morris Bay, and Zippel Bay. The best approach was a brightly-colored jig tipped with minnow. Northern pike were still in the bays. Anglers had the most success fishing the weed beds in Four Mile and Zippel bays, with crankbaits, spoons and still fishing with dead bait all working well. Walleyes were abundant with multiple limits caught, along with many trophy fish 30 inches and larger! Reports of multi-species in the mix made for a great opener! On the Rainy River, walleye fishing was spectacular! Areas north of Baudette, heading towards the Gap were very productive. Anglers did best when anchoring near adjacent rivers and bays. Orange or orange/white colors were best, especially when paired with a minnow. 800-382-FISH;
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.comBemidji
Opening weekend of the 2014 fishing season offered amazing weather and great fishing action. Most of the successful walleye anglers were fishing close to a river, where river spawning walleyes had just finished their spawn. Warmer water temperatures give the river spawning walleyes a big jump on the walleyes that choose lake locations to spawn. Many anglers positioned their boats in the high traffic areas where migrating walleyes pass through on their way back to their home lakes. Another productive strategy was to look for concentrations of baitfish close to the migration routes where migrating walleyes might stop to feed. Jigs and minnows were the presentation of choice for most walleye anglers. While shiner minnows were in short supply, many anglers did well substituting fatheads, rainbow chubs or small sucker minnows. Jigs and plastics worked well for some anglers, with scented plastics generally best. The most productive bodies of water were the warmest, such as Upper Red Lake which gave up huge numbers of walleyes to anglers fishing from boat and from shore. The bite was best during hours of brightest sunshine with light winds due to Upper Red’s stained water. Other good walleye bites were found in the Cutfoot Sioux area of Lake Winnibigoshish. Many of the smaller area lakes which are part of larger chains also gave up good numbers of fish. The best depths have been 5-8 feet of water. Anglers need to be aware of the conditions, with low light or wind pushing the walleyes shallower, and bright skies or heavy boat traffic pushing the walleyes deeper. 877-250-5959;
www.visitbemidji.comBena -Lake Winnibigoshish
On Lake Winnibigoshish, walleyes were just finishing up their spawn last weekend. The Gap out to the river channel gave up good numbers of fish in depths of 8-14 feet. Fish were also pulled from similar depths at Ravens and Mallard points. Big Stoney was also productive at these depths. Some fish are beginning to show up in the High Banks rocks out to 15 feet of water. Perch have been very active as they prepare to spawn. For the most fish, hit 5-9 feet of water off Ravens, Mallard, and Stoney points. Light jigs or a slowly drifted rig will work well when tipped with a minnow. Water temperatures are currently in the mid to upper forties.
www.lakewinnie.netWalker - Leech Lake
The Walleye Opener was a great one on Leech Lake. Anglers that put in the time and switched up their presentation as needed were rewarded with lots of eaters and some large fish. Great reports came from areas around Star Point, the Hardwoods, Duck Point, Pine Point, Cedar Point, and Stoney Point. Wind, as usual, was a huge factor, with the fish turning more active as the wind blew. When the winds turned calm, anglers struggled due to heavy boat traffic and high, sunny skies. Anglers reported the most action when using a slow, methodical presentation in 4-9 feet of water. The best presentation was a 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a shiner or rainbow. Good reports also came from nighttime anglers trolling shad raps and husky jerks in and around the flats around Goose Island. The crappie bite should heat up once water temperatures hit the lower 50s. The best is yet to come! 800-833-1118;
www.leech-lake.comDetroit Lakes
Two techniques produced the majority of fish over the opener: jigs and shiners long lined away from the boat when moving .8- to 1.2-mph over 5-12 feet of water, and moving slowly over the walleyes in 20-24 feet of water using jigs/rigs with shiners. Water temperatures continue to hover in the mid to upper 40’s. The panfish are moving into the shallow bays and warmest shallow waters with some weed cover. Lake levels and most lake accesses are in great shape. The bite will continue to improve as water temperatures warm. 800-542-3992;
www.visitdetroitlakes.comCentral Region
Otter Tail Lakes Country
Walleye fishing was a bit tough last weekend, mostly due to the lack of shiner minnows. The shiners should be more available by this weekend, and angling success should improve greatly. For the most walleyes, try the deeper areas first since it is easier to locate and “mark” fish on electronics in deeper waters. If you struggle to find fish, check the shallows. Live bait rigging should be best, especially when moving at.2- to .8 mph. For jigging, stay vertical and use 1/16- to 3/16-ounce jigs, or try 1/8-ounce jigs in a more horizontal fashion while trolling at 1.1- to 1.8-mph through the shallows. Slip bobbers are also a good bet. Anglers will also want to consider shore fishing which can be great this time of year, and the Otter Tail Lakes Country has a huge selection of productive shorelines, river mouths and current areas to choose from. 800-423-4571;
www.ottertailcountry.comPine River
Opening weekend anglers experienced mixed results, but those that connected with fish did extremely well. Areas where pockets of walleyes were found to be active and feeding tended to be near shallow sandbar spawning areas in 5-15 feet of water. Night anglers reported the best success, usually while anchored and pitching shallow swimbaits and shallow running crankbaits, or using slip bobber presentations. Northern pike were active along the weedlines in 10-15 feet of water hitting jig and minnow presentations, along with spoon and swimbaits. Some of the best reports came from crappie anglers who found the panfish moving up into the shallow bays and inlets. Several parties took limits of crappies both Saturday and Sunday. Walleye and crappie action will continue to improve as water temperatures warm into the low fifty degree range. Continue to use small tackle and a slow presentation for the most fish. Walleye anglers should stick to 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jig and minnow combinations on light test line. 800-728-6926;
http://www.pinerivermn.comIsle/Onamia - Lake Mille Lacs
Water temperatures remain cold on Lake Mille Lacs, but the bite is expected to pick up as the water temperatures warm and the walleye complete their spawn. Anglers that had the most success used jig and minnow combinations in depths less than 16 feet deep, however, medium-sized leeches are generally the "bait-of-choice" early in the season on Mille Lacs. Quite a few slot fish large walleyes were reported. Expect to see more of the smaller fish when the water warms further. 888 -350-2692;
www.millelacs.comWillmar Lakes Area
Many anglers had a slow start to the fishing season during last weekend’s Fishing Opener--the water was just too cold. Lakes where anglers did have some success included Willmar, Foot, Ringo, Solomon and Norway lakes. The fish are in their post-spawn phase and very hungry, but the lakes need to warm just a bit more before they turn active. By this weekend, fishing should be much better. Lakes to consider include Elizabeth, Willmar, Foot, East Solomon Lake, Lillian, Ringo, Long and Norway. 800-845-8747;
www.willmarlakesarea.comSouthern Minnesota
Lanesboro -Southeast Bluff Country Trout Streams
As of May 14, conditions were clear and normal for most area rivers and streams. More caddis were reported, likely Little Tand Short Horn (Glossosoma sp.) and Little Sister Sedge (Cheumatopsyche sp.). The water temperature on the South Branch at Whitewater was 58 degrees at noon. Most streams should be in excellent condition for weekend anglers. Although trout numbers are down somewhat across the southeast, there are many more fish in the 10- to 14-inch range than is typical. As updates on stream conditions become available, they are posted on the Southeast Minnesota Stream Conditions web page. You are also welcome to call the office for updates at 507-467-2442. Before traveling, please check out the new detailed fishing easement maps. 800-944-2670;
www.lanesboro.comAlbert Lea Area Lakes
Fountain Lake continues to give up lots of sunnies and crappies, especially near the Brookside Boat Landing. Anglers report having the most success when using wax worms. 800-345-8414;
www.albertleatourism.orgFairmont Area Lakes
It was a good fishing opener compared to the last couple of years. Amber Lake gave up quite a few walleyes to anglers fishing minnows in 8-12 feet of water. Crappies were pulled from 8 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Hall Lake produced walleyes in depths of 8-12 feet, with jigging and rigging leeches working best. Catfish were taken on crawlers. Budd and Sisseton lake anglers reported lots of bluegills and crappies when using jigs with waxworms or minnows in depths of 8-12 feet. A few walleyes were pulled from George Lake at night on minnows. 800-657-3280;
www.fairmontcvb.comOrtonville -Big Stone Lake
The fishing has been a roller coaster on Big Stone Lake. Some anglers report little action except for an occasional northern, white bass or sheephead; others report amazing walleye action, especially during evening hours near shore. Jigs and minnows have been the most productive when worked along the shoreline during low light hours; during midday hours, 6-8 foot depths have been better. It appears that the 15- to 17-inch walleyes are hugging the shoreline, and the larger walleyes are coming from the deeper waters. As the weather and temperatures stabilize, fishing should become more consistent and event better. 800-568-5722;
www.bigstonelake.com
