WEEKLY FISHING UPDATE – JUNE 2, 2022
Recent heavy rainfall has exacerbated flooding issues in the Rainy Lake Watershed, resulting in temporary closures in Voyageurs National Park and other nearby areas. Visitors and anglers are advised to check current conditions prior to travel to these areas. In other areas of the state, walleye anglers continue to take nice numbers of fish using jigs and minnows at the emerging weeds, with plastics also working well. Reports indicate multiple species being caught.
Anglers will enjoy mostly sunny skies and highs in the 60s in the northern half of Minnesota this weekend!
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2022-2023 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows: Stream trout: April 16; walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout: May 14; muskie: June 4. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA
BAUDETTE/WARROAD – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Fishing has been very good on Lake of the Woods this week. As the water temperatures warm, walleye are becoming more active. Most anglers continue to have success jigging an emerald shiner or fathead minnow in 15-28 feet of water. Bright, glowing colors such as gold, pink, orange, chartreuse or a combination of these colors are working well. Some anglers also report success when drifting gold spinners or trolling gold crankbaits. Species being netted include a mixed bag of walleye, sauger, northern pike and perch.
Some anglers are catching walleye despite high water levels and a strong current on the Rainy River. The best locations during these conditions are slack waters adjacent to shorelines or in the mouths of bays. Once walleye are found, there are typically good numbers.
Up at the Northwest Angle, walleye anglers are doing well when using a jig and minnow in depths over 30 feet. Some anglers are finding fish in 5-12 feet of water when trolling spinners and crankbaits over the shallow flats or sand. Lots of large northern pike have also been reported.
Contact Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau for more information.
FARGO-MOORHEAD – RED RIVER
According to Brad Durick of Brad Durick Outdoors, last weekend’s storms contributed to flooding issues on the Red River and it looks like anglers will have to wait until roughly June 15 to head out by boat. Fish are in pre-spawn mode now that water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Over the next week or two, anglers will want to take advantage of great shore fishing opportunities. As the water rises again, worms will appear in flat areas, drawing catfish in to feed. Catfish should also be feeding at the first drop-off to the current seams. Use nightcrawlers or other fresh baits, especially at night, for some fun catfish action.
Contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI AREA LAKES
Walleye have completed their spawn and are very hungry. The minnow forage food source remains low so when a minnow, leech or crawler is dropped near hungry fish, the chance of it being hit is high. A 1/8-ounce jig tipped with a minnow is very attractive to walleye when placed at the edge of emerging vegetation, especially if the wind is blowing into the area. Live bait rigs are also a great option when used with a minnow, leech or crawler. Switch to a 1/4-ounce jig if fishing in windy conditions or in waters deeper than 18-20 feet.
Northern pike are hitting just about anything along the emerging weedlines. Crappies and bluegills can be found at the emerging reed beds. Large and smallmouth bass are on their shallow beds — if you catch a big fish, please release it.
Learn more at the Bemidji Area Lakes fishing video(opens in new window)!
Contact Visit Bemidji for more information.
WALKER – LEECH LAKE
High winds and cold temperatures have subsided and water temperatures have rebounded, reaching 60-degrees for the first time this year on Leech Lake. The fish have responded with a better day bite and some of the female walleye feeding once again. A small jig and minnow remains best and shiners are available. Most of the walleye are coming from 7-10 feet of water, although some are being pulled from the 12-14 foot breakline. The evening and night bite has been best. Crawlers and leeches should also produce over the next week or so.
Contact the Leech Lake Area Tourism Bureau for more information.
DETROIT LAKES AREA LAKES
The walleye bite on Detroit Lakes area lakes remains very good. Most of the walleye are holding in 7-14 feet of water where they continue to feed on shiners. The cabbage beds can be very productive right now, especially during high sun conditions. Crappies remain shallow on their beds, responding well to small jigs tipped with a plastic tail or minnow, either cast or set under bobbers. Most of the bluegills and crappies can be found in 3-9 foot depths tight to the developing weeds. Northern pike are shallow and active on the edges of the flats and shoreline breaks. Bass are also shallow and on their beds. Casting to fish from deeper waters will help prevent spooking them in the shallows. The muskie opener is this Saturday, June 4!
Contact the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FISHING CONDITIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA
ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKES
There has been a good multi-species bite on several lakes in the Alexandria area. Walleye continue to bite best in 5-15 feet of water, especially early and late in the day. Jigs and minnows are the top producers, but leeches and nightcrawlers should turn fish as water temperatures warm further. Crappies and bluegills continue to be pulled from the shallows on small panfish jigs baited with leeches, waxworms or crappie minnows. These fish are susceptible to overharvest this time of year so anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest by only keeping a few fish for their next fish dinner. Bass anglers continue to catch fish in the shallows when using spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, and shallow-running crankbaits. The Alexandria area is prime for outstanding fishing again this weekend!
Contact Explore Alexandria Tourism for more information.
ISLE/ONAMIA – LAKE MILLE LACS
Smallmouth bass fishing should be spectacular on Lake Mille Lacs this weekend. For fun, fast action, use a jerk bait in the shallows during lowlight hours. For walleye, try a leech under a bobber.
The DNR reminds Lake Mille Lacs anglers that walleye fishing is catch-and-release only through Thursday, June 30. To help reduce hooking mortality, the walleye season will close for two weeks, from Friday, July 1, through Friday, July 15, followed by a catch-and-release walleye season through the end of summer. The one-fish walleye limit is scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept. 1, running through Wednesday, Nov. 30.
Contact the Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council for more information.
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