Northwest Minnesota
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
Anglers reported some great walleye action on the south end of Lake of the Woods last weekend. Walleye and sauger were eager to bite all along the south shore in depths ranging from 6-23 feet of water, with 20 feet being a good starting depth. Anchored up and vertically jigging a jig and minnow, in many cases a frozen emerald shiner, was the ticket to success. Jigs in gold, chartreuse, pink or glow colors were the most effective. Good numbers of northern pike continue to be caught in the bays.
The Rainy River gave up some very nice walleye over the weekend. Fish were also pulled from the Four Mile Bay and Bostic Bay areas. Jigs tipped with a minnow were the most effective. The sturgeon bite remained strong with numbers of fish being caught. Please note that the sturgeon catch-and-release season ends May 15, reopening July 1.
Up at the Northwest Angle, an agreement between the U.S. and Canada will keep the international border closed until May 20. Until the border opens, guests can travel across the lake and stay in Minnesota. Some resorts are offering transport service across the lake to the Northwest Angle prior to the border opening. Various south shore resorts are offering parking for guests of Northwest Angle resorts. Anglers who fished over opening weekend were rewarded with good numbers of walleye. Jigging the shoreline structure, points and neck-down areas in 6-22 feet of water was the most effective. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Walker – Leech Lake
The walleye were stacked-up on the usual 6-10 foot flats on Leech Lake last weekend. Areas with some weed growth held the largest schools of fish. The most successful anglers pitched a small jig (1/16- or 1/8-ounce) tipped with a small shiner minnow away from the boat. Slow and small presentations worked best. This weekend’s warmer temperatures should cause the bite to really heat up.
Crappies and perch were responding to the same presentations, but less eager to bite due to cold water temperatures. A small up-tick in water temperatures should increase the panfish bite as well.
Many area lakes gave up good numbers of northern pike and catch-and-release bass in the shallow, weedy bays. Swim baits were a good choice for both species. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
The Minnesota Fishing Opener was extremely cold and it snowed on opening day, yet there hadn’t been any snowfall for more than a month. The fishing was difficult for many anglers, partially due to the fact that it’s not easy to feel a soft walleye bite when your hand is too cold to feel the rod! Still, it was very uplifting to be out on the water and enjoying nature during such unusual times.
The water temperatures are currently in the upper 40s and lower 50s depending on the lake. Because lake water temperatures have dropped 5 to 10 degrees over the last few days, the shiner spawn has stalled. Lake shiners are key to catching walleye during the first few weeks of the fishing season, and when cold temperatures cause the shallows and current areas to drop in temperature, the shiners tend to head back out to their staging areas in the main lake. The walleye usually follow right behind. Once water temperatures reach the 60-degree mark, shiners and predator species are less influenced by temperature fluctuations, allowing more predictable patterns develop.
For the most consistent early season walleye fishing, stick to the smaller area lakes where the fish can’t retreat very far. Use a 1/16-once jig in the shallows, and if the fish aren’t biting, use a 1/8- or 3/16-ounce jig at the drop-offs. While shiner minnows are best, bring along some leeches and crawlers to see which of the three baits is the most productive. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Brainerd Area Lakes
Despite the cold temperatures, the walleye and northern pike bite was on fire. Most of the fish were found at the emerging clumps of weeds or on the sand in 5-12 feet of water. A variety of techniques worked well, including trolling stick baits, casting plastics and long-lining live bait.
The panfish bite has been as inconsistent as the weather, but the fish are hungry and active. Plastics and live bait presentations have worked well.
The largemouth and smallmouth bass are in their pre-spawn locations, hitting nearly anything tossed their way. Please note that bass are currently catch-and-release only. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
The walleye bite was excellent over the fishing opener. Lots of anglers were out on Lake Mille Lacs despite it being a catch-and-release walleye season. Bass anglers were inadvertently catching more walleye then bass. The water temperature in most of the bays and areas with sand was roughly 50 degrees. 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
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