Anglers are very optimistic about the Minnesota Fishing Opener this Saturday, May 15! The bite should be strong due to rising water temperatures, with jigs and minnows turning the majority of fish. Warm conditions are forecasted with partly sunny skies, highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and a chance for occasional showers.
On the same day, the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will host a virtual statewide fishing derby via the FishDonkey app for smartphones. This friendly competition runs from 12:01 a.m. to 4 p.m., with contests for adults and children.
Please remember to use extra caution on the water this time of year due to cold water temperatures. Go prepared by reading cold water dangers.
Minnesota fishing opener dates for the 2021-2022 fishing season for most inland waters are as follows. Stream trout: April 17; walleye, sauger, northern pike, bass (catch-and-release) and lake trout: May 15; muskie: June 5. The fishing season for crappies, sunnies, perch and catfish is continuous. Before dropping a line, brush up on Minnesota’s rules, regulations and other helpful information for fishing.
BAUDETTE – LAKE OF THE WOODS & THE RAINY RIVER
Anglers are very optimistic about the fishing opener this weekend since the early spring walleye bite was spectacular in both the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Northern pike anglers continue to catch fish in the back bays of Lake of the Woods. To view current conditions on Lake of the Woods, check out the many Lake of the Woods web cams(opens in new window).
Rainy River anglers are also looking forward to the opener since a lot of walleye remain in the river early in the season. Please remember that the sturgeon catch-and-release season closes on May 16, 2021.
Up at the Northwest Angle, northern pike anglers are pulling fish from the back bays. This weekend, walleye anglers will want to work the shoreline and island structure, along with the underwater points using a classic jig and minnow combination. The border with Canada remains closed but anglers can reach the Angle through the LOW Passenger Service, charter boat shuttle services from the south, and float plane service out of Baudette and other locations.
Contact Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce for more information.
FARGO-MOORHEAD
Water temperatures for the Red River are beginning to rise. By mid-week, temperatures measured roughly 57 degrees, causing the channel catfish bite to heat up in some sections of the river. Fishing the deeper, faster waters has been the key to success due to low water levels. Frozen suckers have worked well, but fresh, unfrozen bait is starting to turn more fish. Goldeyes are also working well. The bite is expected to pick up nicely over the weekend and into next week. Anglers will want to stay aware of boating hazards, especially below the dams.
According to many catfish anglers, the Red River is North America’s finest trophy channel catfish river. Channel cats often live more than 20 years in these waters, and records show some fish living until age 27. This fishery contains some of the oldest channel cats on record.
Contact the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.
BEMIDJI
While temperatures are starting to climb, overnight lows have dipped into the 20s recently, slowing the rise in water temperatures. Earlier this week, water temperatures ranged from the upper 40s to low 50s, but some expect the water to reach the mid- to upper 60s over the weekend. The panfish bite should be going strong in the shallows this weekend, with walleye coming from depths of 8-12 feet. The Cass Lake chain is usually an excellent spot to fish on opening weekend. Lakes Plantagenet and Bemidji are also good choices.
ORTONVILLE – BIG STONE LAKE
As of May 7, water temperatures on Big Stone Lake ranged from 53-55 degrees. The increase in temperatures was followed by an increase in activity for a number of species. The walleye bite was good, especially at night. Anglers using a jig and minnow or a leech under a bobber had the most success. A few fish were also responding to shallow-running crank baits and plastics. An increase in perch, largemouth bass and silver bass action was also reported as fish moved into the shallows. On May 8, 40 boats competed in a Big Stone Lake bass tournament. Two largemouth bass weighed over 7 pounds, with one weighing 7.40 pounds!
Contact Big Stone Lake Area Chamber for more information.
THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT
Twin Cities residents don’t need to travel far to take part in the Minnesota Fishing Opener tradition this weekend! The Three Rivers Park District offers fishing options(opens in new window) at 18 parks in the Twin Cities area. Launch your boat(opens in new window) at a lake access site, rent a boat, or stay on land as you fish from a pier or on shore. You might reel in a muskie, northern pike, sunfish, bass, or even a walleye.
Contact the Three Rivers Park District for more information.
STILLWATER – ST. CROIX & MISSISSIPPI RIVERS
Fishing on the Mississippi River remains strong. Walleye are especially easy to find early in the season when they linger near their spawning grounds in traditionally productive areas.
Contact Discover Stillwater for more information.
WHITE BEAR AREA LAKES
Local anglers expect the crappies to soon move into shallow areas with green weeds on White Bear Lake. For the most action, pitch small tube jigs. For walleye, use jigs tipped with fathead minnows or leeches just of the weedlines in 12-18 feet of water. Fish slowly since the fish are a bit lethargic due to cold water temperatures.
On Bald Eagle Lake, use lindy rigs with fathead minnows or leeches in deeper waters during the day. During lower light periods, pitch light 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with a fathead or leech into the shallows with sand or rocks. Northern pike anglers will find fish roaming the warmest waters, especially on the north end of the lake. Throwing or trolling shallow-running shad raps near emergent vegetation will work best.
Comments