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Walleye are beginning to move to their summer locations, and are taking on more summer patterns. Look for them using leeches, crawlers or minnows at the emerging weeds.
This weekend, June 5-7, is Take A Kid Fishing Weekend! Minnesotans 16 or older who take a child 15 or younger fishing do not need a license this weekend. So plan a special fishing day or weekend, and catch some quality time with friends and family!
Anglers are asked to fish bodies of water close to home, and practice social distancing at the boat landings and shorelines.
For most inland waters, Minnesota fishing opener dates are as follows:
- May 9: Walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout
- June 6: Muskie
- Continuous: Crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish
For rules, regulations and other helpful information on fishing in Minnesota, consult the DNR’s Fish Minnesota web page.
Baudette – Lake of the Woods & the Rainy River
It has been a very successful week of fishing on the south shore of Lake of the Woods. Walleye fishing remains best in 17-28 feet of water, but some walleye are coming from shallower waters. A number of areas along the south shore of producing well, including Pine Island, Morris Point, Zippel Bay, Long Point and Rocky Point. The Knight / Bridges Island area also holds good numbers of nice-size fish. Successful anglers are vertically jigging, drifting crawler harnesses and pulling crank baits. Ideals colors are gold, pink, orange and glow. Large northern pike and jumbo perch have also been in the mix.
While most walleye are being targeted and caught in the lake, there is always a population of resident walleye than can be found in the Rainy River. Jigs and minnows, as well as crank baits are working well in 12-24 feet of water. Smallmouth bass continue to be pulled from the rocky structure. A good northern pike bite is being reported in and adjacent to the bays.
Up at the Northwest Angle, the US/Canada border remains closed, but guests can stay in Minnesota and travel across the lake to fish. Some resorts are offering transport service across the lake to the Northwest Angle, and various south shore resorts are offering parking for guests of Northwest Angle resorts. Anglers fishing the Angle are catching good numbers of walleye on the 5-7 foot flats when using snelled spinners and crank baits. Jigging the rocky points in depths of 10-20 feet has also turned fish. Northern pike remain active in the bays and at the creek mouths. The water temperature is running roughly 55-57 degrees. 800-382-FISH; www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
Walker – Leech Lake
Leech Lake walleye are taking on summer patterns, responding to a wide range of presentations such as jigs, lindy rigs, slip bobbers, minnows, leeches, crawlers and crank baits. The walleye are beginning to spread out and can be found most often in the soft bottom areas where bugs are beginning to hatch. Depths of 5-15 feet have been the most productive this week. When it is overcast and the wind is blowing, the fish are relating to shallow rocks and weeds. A jig and minnow is a good way to target these activity feeding walleye. When the wind is calm and the sun is shining, expect the walleye to spread out in slightly deeper waters, roughly 12-20 feet deep near shallow structure. Leeches and nightcrawlers seem to be the bait of choice during these conditions.
The weeds in the shallow bays of Leech Lake are growing, with lots of fish attracted to the emergent green weeds. Bass and northern pike are being caught on spinner baits. Panfish leeches and nightcrawlers are turning lots of perch and panfish.
For this weekend’s muskie opener, most fish should be done spawning and looking for an easy meal. Quite a few muskie have been seen near the new weed growth. For the most action, cast a smaller muskie bait around the weeds. Some muskie will also be found over open water, responding to 8- to 14-inch crank baits trolled over open water, especially in Walker Bay.
Walleye anglers fishing other area waters are finding fish at the shallow rocks when using jigs and shiners on windy days. Crawlers and leeches are working well on the breaks in 8-12 feet of water. The sunnies and crappies moved deep when air temperatures turned cold. Expect them to move back into the shallows by this weekend. The bass are beginning to set up beds at the weeds and rocks. 800-833-1118; www.leech-lake.com
Park Rapids
The majority of the largemouth and smallmouth bass are in the shallows, responding to small jig and plastic tail combinations. A 3-inch black twister tails is best since it mimics a leech. Anglers are having the most success in depths up to 5 feet along the shorelines. Anglers are asked to please practice catch and release since many fish are still spawning.
For walleye and northern pike, work the newly emerging weedlines. Concentrate on weeds in 10-15 foot depths using a live bait rig tipped with a leech, or a minnow on a red hook. Trolling spoons or spinner baits over the tops of the shallow weed flats in 6-10 foot depths will also produce northern pike. 800-247-0054; www.parkrapids.com
Central Region
Otter Tail Area Lakes
Summer patterns are taking shape. Most fish have completed their spawn and are beginning to disperse. This can be a difficult time to catch fish unless you’re willing to switch your approach.
Walleye are gravitating toward their summer haunts, and the emerging weeds, points and saddles are great areas to search for fish. Depths range from 10-30 feet, and everywhere in-between. Minnows will still turn walleye, but crawlers and leeches are also working well.
The sunfish are at the end of their spawn, while crappies have finished up and have moved out to new weed growth. Focus on the new weeds for crappies. Anglers are asked to return the larger sunfish to help maintain the health of the fisheries. Bass are in post-spawn mode and heading to deeper water. A slow approach is key to catching bass. 800-423-4571; www.ottertailcountry.com
Brainerd Area Lakes
Fishing is really picking up in the Brainerd lakes area. Walleye are still in the shallows on most bodies of water. Look to the sand to gravel transitions in 8-12 feet of water, as well as new cabbage beds for good numbers of fish. Bobbers and leeches, jerk baits and plastics are all working well, but don’t be afraid to try shallow-diving crank baits behind a planer board. The night bite remains great on Gull, North Long and Edwards lakes. Trolling the flats in depths of 5-10 feet at 1.1- to 1.6-mph has been the best.
Bluegills and crappies are still active and can be caught in various depths. Bluegills have begun their spawning process on smaller lakes, and will soon begin on the larger lakes. Anglers are asked to please use selective harvest and release the large females immediately whenever possible.
Northern pike are still very active and have moved to the deeper edge of the shoreline breaks. For the most action, troll muskie-size jerk baits or suckers.
Most bass have completed their spawn and can be found under the docks and at the weedy inside turns and points. 218-825-0410; www.visitbrainerd.com
Isle/Onamia – Lake Mille Lacs
The fish are in a transitional phase and some anglers feel this is the best time to take a mixture of fish. The walleye have been primarily shallow (6-18 feet of water), but they are starting to slide off into their summer locations. While there are still plenty of walleye holding at the shallow rock structure,
the gravel bar and mud flat structure will soon become the hottest bite. Walleye are currently responding to a wide range of presentations. They are coming in on swim baits tossed into waters less than 10 feet deep, and lindy-rigged leeches worked at the rock structure. Bobber fishing and bottom-bouncing on the rock and mud flats are also turning fish. The walleye fishing is and will continue to be spectacular for quite a while. If you’re not catching fish in 15 minutes, try a new spot.
The bass are also in a transitional phase, with some pre-spawn, bedded up, and in the midst of their spawn. If bed fishing, use a drop shot/ned rig in the shallows. If you like catching them pre-spawn, work a jerk bait or swim bait in 4-10 feet of water. There was midge hatch on May 29 so if you see bass bursting out of the water on a calm day, toss out a topwater lure! 888-350-2692; www.millelacs.com
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